Why Indian Men Can’t Sleep – And How It’s Aging Them Faster Than They Think

 

If you are doom-scrolling into the late hours of the night often, there is something you should know. Poor sleep is quietly damaging men’s health, looks, and mental strength in India. For many Indian men, being tired and staying up late has become a pride, a badge of honour of sorts. Especially for men between 18 and 45, juggling careers, relationships, and fitness goals. According to The Economic Times, Tele Manas – India’s toll-free mental health helpline has seen a significant number of male callers, who make up 56% of the total calls with sleep disturbances.

The problem isn’t just biological – it’s cultural. In urban India, the masculine ideal has shifted from “provider” to “performer”. A man is expected to be fit, financially driven, socially active, and always online. But it comes with a heavy cost. A constant state of alertness as if he were surviving in the wild. Working from home changed a disciplined pattern and blurred the line between professional and personal time. The late-night scrolling habit replaced quiet rest. Gym culture glorified early mornings after sleepless nights, and a myth of new productivity has taken shape in the country – I shall sleep when I am successful. Ironically, this sleepless grind often backfires. Research links chronic sleep loss to poor concentration, weight gain, and even premature aging. For many years, men in India have been trained not to focus on beauty, deeming it to be a woman’s job and perceiving it as a vain concern for a man. But it is conspicuous because of poor sleep. Dark circles, puffy eyes, and dull skin don’t see gender, nor are they cosmetic annoyances; they are signs of cortisol overload. Now, if you are denying science in today’s age, you are also living in denial.

But what is Cortisol?

A stress hormone, which breaks down collagen and delays skin repair. Sleep deprivation increases cortisol, and men in India have become recent victims of it. Men who groom are doing a fantastic job, but if you also focus on a sound sleep, it may do a lot more than your grooming shelf.

To be honest, the most attractive thing about a man today isn’t his six-pack, salary, or hustle – it’s his ability to rest, recover, and show up fully alive. The problem is that sleep is considered feminine, passive, or indulgent because of the movies we have grown up watching and what men have been taught from back in the day. Especially in a society where men are expected to push through tiredness. In life, to achieve anything, we need clarity, and clarity will only come when men make a conscious decision to sleep better at night, not just look better, but to think clearly, perform stronger, and age steadily.

Threads of Identity: Understanding the Psychology behind Modern Indian Men's Fashion

 

Have you ever heard of the “enclothed cognition” effect? A concept coined by renowned psychologists Hajo Adam and Adam Galinsky. It suggests that the way we dress can influence how we think, feel, and even perform. Now, clothes are no longer just worn – they are inhabited.

Modern Indian men are increasingly using clothing as a daily tool for self-expression. For example, Pastel colours and bold prints, once considered unconventional or feminine for men, are now symbols of confidence and individuality. Fashion is not just a statement of fabric and stitching in India anymore – it is a silent language through which men communicate, a reflection of their personality, mood, and even aspirations. In India, men’s fashion has traditionally leaned towards practicality and conservatism in the past- crisp shirts, dark trousers, and kurta-pyjamas reserved for festivals. The new age of Indian men’s fashion is emerging, one that speaks louder than words and reveals the psychology behind every choice.

The fad of “dress to impress” has transpired into a sustainable and profound impact of “dress to express”. Festivals have become more about kurtas paired with sneakers or a tailored pastel blazer, which signals not just fashion sense, but a willingness to challenge norms.

       THE AMALGAMATION OF CONFIDENCE & CULTURAL IDENTITY:

Fashion for men of late is woven in confidence. For many men, the right outfit can act as an armour, enhancing self-esteem and influencing social perception. Tailored and chic suits, bespoke shirts, and carefully chosen accessories convey authority, sophistication, and taste. Whereas a polo shirt with smart casual trousers, shoes, and spectacles, in contrast to the attire, conveys readiness and comfort. It is no surprise that men are investing more in personal styling than ever before, recognizing that their appearance is a form of silent communication that precedes words. Cultural identity plays a pivotal role in these fashion choices. Urbanization, global exposure, and social media have transformed wardrobes into curated canvases. Bollywood actors, cricket stars, and Instagram influencers act as guides and mentors in this evolution, setting trends that blend Indian heritage with global aesthetics. Emotion drives fashion as much as aesthetics. Men in India are now doing an intricate dance of culture, self-perception, and societal influence, all woven together through the threads of identity. From curating wardrobes that reflect moods, occasions, and social alignment to creating a psychological undertone.

In the new age of Indian men’s fashion, clothing is far more than style; it is psychology in motion. Each outfit tells a story, each colour choice signals intention, and each accessory becomes an extension of self. As Indian men continue to explore these sartorial landscapes, fashion will increasingly become a mirror – not just of society, but of the evolving self.

In the Heart of Assam Lies Divinity | A Spiritual Journey Through Guwahati's Sacred Soul

 

View from Nilachal Hills - Guwahati

This trip was to find a deeper meaning in life.

Discover the divine charm of Guwahati - from the powerful Kamakhya Temple to the serene flow of the Brahmaputra. Explore how Assam's spiritual energy connects nature, faith, and peace in one soulful journey.

Day 1

I took a power nap and, in the evening, went to find peace at the Brahmaputra River - a beautiful experience, particularly because I had been feeling stagnant in the city and travelling to the mountains, a water therapy to remove the negative ions I had absorbed. Watching the river, with the sky turning pink and people basking in divine grace and beauty, was surreal. River watching therapy ended, and I ate dinner at a restaurant called Michinga, a local Assamese thali. The staff were hospitable and courteous, and I felt the essence of Assamese people.

Around 11 pm,  a dangerous thunderstorm struck, and I slept like a baby.

Brahmaputra River

Day 2

I was exhausted, so I wanted to take it easy on day two and explore at my own pace, so I woke up after sleeping for a good ten hours. The weather was pleasant, and I felt the urge to drink hot chocolate. After my morning chores, I went to a café five minutes away called Patty Oh, not my first choice, but I was famished. It was empty, which worked well for me. I researched carefully where to go next, and found Kharghuli Hills - a short 1.3 km, twenty-minute walk. I crossed the Kharguli Sanatan Dharam Mandir. The mandir was closed because it was afternoon, so I prayed from outside for a smooth journey ahead. Khargulli Hills is pristine, with the Brahmaputra River looking right at you. 

Brahmaputra River from Kharguli Hills

Sanatan Temple Kharguli Hills

Patty Oh Cafe! Guwahati

Hot Chocolate

Day 3

A day of endurance, mysticism, magic and 28, 013 steps. My plan to visit Maa Kamakhya Temple at Nilachal Hills in Guwahati turned out to be adventurous, friendly and humble. From my Airbnb to the temple, it was a 7 km walking distance. I explored central Guwahati on foot, with chaos and the city’s authenticity. The pathway to divinity is never easy, but aren’t the easy things doable? I understood that there is much I still have to do.  

Day 4 – 6

After a profound realization, I took rest, recuperated, ate a lot of desserts, and walked in the rain for the next two days. I thank the people I met in Guwahati for conversations, simplicity and guidance.  

Old Manali - Love at First Sight

 

I have travelled to many places, but no place has made me feel the way Old Manali does. Old Manali hypnotized me with its beauty. It happened in 2014 after some inhibitions. I fell in love with it, the kind of love I cannot give anyone. Love happens in many ways, but no matter how many times one falls in love, even intently and at first sight, no one can fall in love as instantly and profoundly as I fell for Old Manali. There is a reason to use the phrase - Love at first sight. I am sure heaven feels like this, and I am certain you do not attain salvation after the seventh realm. You reach Old Manali. The snow-capped mountains and the lush green Deodar trees remain silent but observe each tourist with their respective desires and the purpose of the visit. Conveying the message to the omnipotent presence. The on-arrival visa is received, but the visitors are unaware of it.

Nestled at about 2000 meters above sea level in the state of Himachal Pradesh amidst lush green Deodar trees, Old Manali is a hidden gem. A magical location in the Indian Himalayas with freshness and a vibe of divinity. After all, it is situated near Kullu Valley, the valley which is called the ‘Valley of Gods.

Walking through Old Manali, you can see homes with Indian Vernacular Architecture. Vernacular Architecture is the informal, functional architecture of structures, often in rural areas of India, built of local materials and designed to meet the needs of the local people. So, a typical traditional home in Old Manali is made of wood and covered with humongous-looking stones for the roof, surrounded by big stone slabs and thick straw. The tiny road of the village has a convivial aura, people washing their clothes in the open from the hand pump, little children playing cricket and football, the farmers cutting long Deodar tree branches to burn them for the approaching long winters is a usual sightseeing experience. These are simple and happy village people, but they all look back, greet and give a warm smile, and once you sit down and talk to them, the conversation can go on for hours with incessant cups of chai. 

The main street has cafes smelling of freshly brewed coffee and bakery. It is alluring, and all of them have intriguing names, some of which are - Café 1947, River Music Garden Restaurant & German Bakery, Casa Bella Vista, Dylan’s Toasted & Roasted Coffee House, Drifter’s Café, Johnson’s Café & Hotel, The Lazy Dog Lounge, Shiva Café, Il Forno, Café Sunshine, Olive Garden, Red House Café, Lily’s Café, Fat Plate Café, with the Manalsu river flowing with speeding rapids at the back of all these cafes, and it looks beautiful as if staring at a mesmerizing painting. 

I have wandered around Old Manali with acquaintances, an ex-girlfriend, strangers, solo, and with dogs. I can’t say one trip was the best because each had a profound impact. But in October 2024, it was peaceful. I met an Author from Cornwall, England. We talked about life, and it turned into erudite discussions. Old Manali does that to people.