Emotional Wellbeing

Riding the Wave of Inflation: A Guide to Investments

November 11, 2022
Usha Mallya
Riding the Wave of Inflation: A Guide to Investments

Inflation is a long-term pattern of rising prices across the economy yearly. Inflation rates indicate the rate of erosion of the value of an investment over time as well as the loss of purchasing power. Investing in assets requires a return on investment consistent with their living standard. 

To overcome the effects of inflation on your investment, you must have financial planning and knowledge. Here are a few things you should know. 

Inflation: What Causes It?

Inflation occurs when the demand for an item or service exceeds the supply of that good or service. This is referred to as demand-pull inflation, and it causes price increases. 

Inflation is also caused by a rise in the cost of producing products and services. As the cost of manufacturing an item rises, manufacturers raise the selling price in order to achieve or maintain a specified profit. This is referred to as cost-pull inflation.

Here's a chart demonstrating how a lakh's value decreases over time to help you comprehend this better.

‍Inflation: What Causes It?

Financial vs Physical Investment

Physical assets can be felt, seen, touched, or held, such as real estate, precious metals, jewellery, plant and machinery, vehicles, tools, etc. These assets must be maintained, repaired, and upgraded, which can lead to expenses.

An intangible asset, such as shares, bonds, deposits in banks, accounts receivables, goodwill, copyrights, patents, etc., cannot be seen or touched, except for the records proving ownership of the asset, for example, shares, bonds, deposits in banks. The value of financial support does not depreciate or diminish with time. Nevertheless, depending on market conditions, the value of a financial asset can appreciate or depreciate.

Asset Classes and Inflation

The value of liquid assets tends to rise less over time than the value of other types of assets since inflation affects them similarly. Because of this, liquid assets are more susceptible to inflation's effects. The larger economy tends to retain fewer liquid assets when inflation rates are high.

Although illiquid assets can generate interest and grow in value, inflation also affects them. Investing in stocks, bonds, and mutual funds is one of the best ways to protect savings against inflation. In times of high inflation, people often spend their liquid assets on consumer goods or invest them in interest-paying assets.

Systematic Investment in Equity Mutual Funds

Mutual Funds offer a Systematic Investment Plan (SIP), a means of investing a fixed amount at regular intervals, say once a month or once a quarter, instead of making a lump-sum investment. Instalments could be as low as INR 500 per month and are similar to recurring deposits. Moreover, it is convenient since your bank can give you standing instructions to deduct the monthly amount.  

Here are some examples of the power of compounding

‍Systematic Investment in Equity Mutual Funds

Three Golden Rules of Investment

Start Early

It is recommended that you start early in order to gain greater financial wellbeing and to maximise your returns on investment. If you allow your investment portfolio to generate returns over time, your returns will essentially create more returns. In technical terms, this is called compounding, proving that even small investments can accumulate into large sums over time.

Invest Regularly

Regularly investing rather than attempting to time a lump sum investment can help you become a more disciplined investor. Ultimately, you must invest no matter how high or low the price is. As a result, investing becomes less emotional, and you can put your money to work more quickly.

Invest for Long Term

The relationship between volatility and time is an advantage of long-term investing. The volatility of investments held for a more extended period tends to be lower than the volatility of assets held for a shorter period. The longer you invest, the more likely you will survive market downturns.

Investments with their risk vs return potential

Three Golden Rules of Investment

Conclusion

If the returns on an investor's assets are less than the rate of inflation, even if they show profits, they will lose money. Additionally, individuals should ensure that their income increases at least as much as inflation; otherwise, they are technically earning less than they would otherwise and losing financial stability.

Physical Wellness

Can Weekend Sleep Recovery Reduce Heart Disease Risk by 20%?

Nitesh
A study suggests weekend catch-up sleep may reduce heart disease risk by 20%, but neurologists warn it takes four days to recover from just one hour of lost sleep.

The allure of the weekend sleep binge is undeniable—after a grueling week of early mornings and late nights, the idea that a long, restful sleep on Saturday and Sunday can undo the damage seems like the perfect solution. 

But let’s challenge this notion with an analogy: If you’re running a marathon, can you expect to cross the finish line if you only sprint for the last mile? 

Similarly, expecting weekend sleep to fix a week’s worth of sleep deprivation is like hoping a band-aid will heal a broken bone.

Sleep More on Weekends, Save Your Heart?

Can Weekend Sleep Recovery Reduce Heart Disease Risk by 20%?

Source: https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Relationship-of-10-year-ASCVD-risk-score-with-sleep-duration-across-the-assembled-cohort_fig2_353962357 

A groundbreaking 14-year study from China’s State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease recently sent shockwaves through the health world. Their findings revealed that those who indulged in weekend sleep “recovery” had a 20% lower risk of heart attacks and strokes compared to those who consistently underslept. 

At first glance, this seems like a game-changer. After all, if an extra few hours on Saturday can mitigate the week’s damage, then we’ve found the holy grail of sleep hacks—right?

Unfortunately, that’s where the promise ends and the pitfalls begin.

Sleep Is a Long-Term Investment, Not a Short-Term Fix

Think of sleep like compounding interest—it works best when invested consistently over time. While the Chinese study brings promising results, it leaves a critical question unanswered: how sustainable is this approach?

The National Sleep Foundation's research offers a sobering reality check. It takes longer to recover from sleep debt than previously thought—catching up on lost sleep requires more than a weekend lie-in. According to their findings, even one hour of lost sleep can take several days to recover from. If you’re sleep-deprived for five days, two extra days won’t be nearly enough.

Can Weekend Sleep Recovery Reduce Heart Disease Risk by 20%?

Source: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1389945720303348 

Moreover, recent insights from Dr. Eve Van Cauter, a leading researcher in sleep and metabolic health at the University of Chicago, highlight the detrimental effects of irregular sleep patterns. Her team found that shifting sleep schedules on weekends disrupts the circadian rhythm and leads to what’s known as "social jetlag"—a phenomenon where your body clock gets misaligned. Social jetlag contributes to higher rates of obesity, insulin resistance, and cardiovascular risk—negating any potential short-term gains from weekend catch-up sleep.

Simplifying a Complex Issue

Let’s introduce a central metaphor that captures this paradox: “buttonification.” Buttonification refers to the belief that complex, systemic problems can be fixed with a simple, one-time action—a quick push of a button. In the case of sleep, weekend recovery is a buttonification attempt. It simplifies the intricate science of sleep into a hack, offering a temporary solution to a chronic problem.

The reality is more nuanced. Sleep is not just about hours; it’s about quality, regularity, and the body’s hormonal balance. Cortisol, for example, plays a pivotal role. When sleep-deprived, your body produces more cortisol, a stress hormone linked to inflammation, blood clotting, and ultimately heart attacks. While a weekend of sleep might reduce cortisol levels temporarily, it doesn’t reverse the long-term cardiovascular damage caused by chronic sleep deprivation.

Real-World Consequences

Can Weekend Sleep Recovery Reduce Heart Disease Risk by 20%?

Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2845795/ 

Let’s talk numbers. According to a comprehensive review by the European Society of Cardiology, sleeping fewer than six hours per night increases the risk of fatal heart disease by 48%. This statistic alone underscores the dangers of underestimating sleep's role in cardiovascular health. More importantly, irregular sleep patterns—like those encouraged by weekend lie-ins—only exacerbate this risk.

Take Sweden’s Stress Research Institute as another case study. Their analysis of over 43,000 participants showed that those who slept inconsistently, oscillating between short weekday sleep and long weekend sleep, had a 30% higher risk of cardiovascular incidents than those who maintained a regular 7–8 hour sleep pattern. The stark takeaway? Irregular sleep may do more harm than good, even if the total hours balance out.

Unpacking the Sleep-Heart Health Equation

To fully grasp why catch-up sleep fails, we need to delve into the sleep-heart health connection. Sleep deprivation triggers the sympathetic nervous system—the body’s "fight or flight" response—which keeps your heart rate elevated and your blood pressure high. Over time, this increases atherosclerosis (the buildup of plaque in the arteries), leading to heart disease.

Can Weekend Sleep Recovery Reduce Heart Disease Risk by 20%?

Yet, it’s not just the quantity of sleep that matters. Harvard Medical School’s 2022 study on sleep fragmentation showed that disruptions in sleep architecture—even brief awakenings during sleep—can accelerate arterial stiffening and contribute to hypertension. Weekend sleep-ins may restore quantity, but they do little to improve the quality or consistency needed for long-term heart health.

The Evolution of Sleep Hygiene

So, how do we evolve past the buttonification of sleep? It starts with a mindset shift—sleep is not an indulgence but a necessity. We must prioritize consistent, high-quality sleep throughout the week, not just on weekends. Practical strategies like sleep hygiene practices, including maintaining a consistent bedtime, reducing screen time, and optimizing your environment for better sleep, can yield more sustainable results than hoping for a weekend miracle.

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends at least 7–8 hours of sleep per night, on a consistent schedule, as the gold standard for cardiovascular protection. Their research indicates that reducing sleep variability—not just total hours—may lower the risk of metabolic syndrome by up to 25%.

The False Security of Catch-Up Sleep

As tempting as the promise of weekend recovery may seem, it’s a false security. Just like financial health, sleep health requires consistency, not shortcuts. The science is clear: while weekend catch-up sleep might offer short-term relief, it’s not a sustainable solution for long-term cardiovascular protection.

In a world obsessed with productivity hacks and shortcuts, sleep is the one area where no shortcuts exist. The path forward? Prioritize regular, sufficient sleep—not just for your heart but for your overall well-being. It’s time we stop trying to fix systemic health problems with a quick button and start recognizing that sleep is an investment in our future.

Nutritional Wellness

The Flavor of Health: How Food Impacts the Brain and Body

January 8, 2023
The Wellness Tribe Team
The Flavor of Health: How Food Impacts the Brain and Body

The connection between what we eat and our overall health is undeniable, and in this article, we will delve into the specific ways in which food can impact our brains and body. 

From the role of different macronutrients in brain function and mood to the link between certain foods and cognitive disorders such as dementia and Alzheimer's disease, we will cover a wide range of topics.

Additionally, we will discuss the impact of food on daily lifestyle and provide some actionable advice for readers on how to optimize their diet for optimal brain and body health.

The Brain and Food: A Delicious Connection

Our brains are the command center of our bodies, controlling everything from our movements to our thoughts and emotions. And, like all other parts of our body, they need the right fuel to function at their best. The food we eat can profoundly impact our cognitive function and mood, and we're here to explore the delicious ways in which it does so.

The food you eat can either be the safest and most powerful form of medicine or the slowest form of poison." - Ann Wigmore

When it comes to macronutrients, carbohydrates, fats, and proteins play a vital role in keeping our brain healthy. Carbohydrates, for instance, can help boost our mood by increasing the production of serotonin, the feel-good chemical. Fats, particularly omega-3 fatty acids, are crucial for brain development and function, while proteins are essential in the creation of neurotransmitters, the chemicals that transmit signals in the brain.

But it's not just about what we eat; it's also about what we avoid. A diet high in saturated fats and processed foods has been linked to cognitive disorders such as dementia and Alzheimer's disease. On the other hand, a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and omega-3 fatty acids may help to protect against them. So, next time you reach for that bag of chips, remember that your brain will thank you for choosing a handful of nuts instead.

The Body and Food: A Nutritional Symphony

The Body and Food: A Nutritional Symphony
Photo by Element5 Digital on Unsplash

Food plays a crucial role in maintaining overall health and preventing chronic diseases. The right nutrition can help keep our body in tip-top shape, while a poor diet can lead to a host of health issues.

First and foremost, the role of nutrition in maintaining overall health cannot be overstated. Eating a balanced diet that includes a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins can help to provide the essential vitamins and minerals our body needs to function properly. This can help to prevent chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.

Again it's not just about what we eat; it's also about what we avoid. Certain foods have been linked to specific health conditions. For example, a diet high in saturated fats has been linked to an increased risk of heart disease. Processed foods, on the other hand, have been linked to obesity and diabetes. By choosing whole foods and avoiding processed foods, we can help to keep our bodies in check.

Food and Mental Health: A Delicious Relationship

Food and Mental Health: A Delicious Relationship
Photo by Juan José Valencia Antía on Unsplash 

Our mental health is just as important as our physical health, and the food we eat plays a crucial role in maintaining both. The relationship between food and mental health is delicate, and understanding it can help us keep our minds in top shape.

When it comes to our mental health, the impact of diet cannot be overstated. Eating a balanced diet that includes a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins can help to provide the essential nutrients our brain needs to function properly. This can help to prevent conditions such as depression, anxiety, and stress.

Conclusion

To sum up, the food we consume is the fuel that keeps our body and mind running smoothly. Here are a few things to keep in mind: 

  • Include a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins
  • Avoid processed foods and saturated fats
  • Include omega-3-rich foods
  • Provides essential nutrients for optimal brain and body function
  • Achieve a balanced diet for optimal wellness.

But, just like a gourmet meal, everyone's nutritional needs are unique and personal. So, before making any drastic changes to your diet, it's always best to consult with a healthcare professional or a dietitian to determine what specific dietary changes would be best for you.

In the end, let's remember that food is not just about sustenance; it's also about pleasure. By making mindful food choices, we can nourish our body and soul. So, let's savor every bite and enjoy the delicious symphony of health food offers.

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This month we are focusing on food and how it affects your mental health. Join us as we bring in the most relevant interesting content from across the wellness segment.

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