Our content on lifestyle and travel was loved as much as the clinical content we had presented. With this article, third in the series of ‘top 5 popular articles of 2019’, we would like to give you a recap of the 5 chosen articles, based on the theme lifestyle and travel.

Who doesn’t like a change from the mundane? But even that change, that digression, has to be appealing and worth your time. We understand that, which is why we also picked topics that made for light reading and would be inspiring and interesting, all at the same time.

Here we give you a peek into the 5 topics that were most loved and read in the year.

Have you taken a ‘workation’, yet?

You seldom get days when you can combine work and a vacation. However, conferences, especially those at popular destinations, make for great opportunities to take a little time off. We figured out such opportunities for you and gave you ‘Five great vacation ideas for doctors in 2019’.

Our recommendations comprised of places of interest for you and your family. Moreover, we gave you a list of things-to-do at different locations at and around the popular conference destinations in India. We suggested places for different types of personalities – the adventure-enthusiast, nature-lover and so on. Lastly, we also reminded you of the exciting itineraries of CME vacations.

While the article was published in 2019, the ideas will still be useful for the next year. So, if you look forward to attending a conference in any Indian city, do bookmark this article to never miss out on an opportunity to unwind.

An international trip that is also inspiring

Choosing an international holiday can be difficult, considering the hassles of chalking out an itinerary based on the interests of all involved. So we gave you recommendations of destinations that are not only exotic and fun for your co-travellers, but would also appeal to you as a doctor.

As the title suggests – ‘5 international destinations no doctor should miss’, the places were chosen primarily because of their connection with medicine or for general well-being. We proposed Kos, in the wonderful country of Greece, the birthplace of Hippocrates – the Father of Western Medicine, where you could explore landmarks connected to his life. Our list also included Egypt, where you could learn about the mysteries of ancient medicine.

Our list also included Budapest in Hungary, where hot springs and thermal baths attract a huge number of tourists, and Eleuthera and Harbour Islands of Bahamas, one of the Blue Zones of the world, known for longevity and good health of its inhabitants. The popular Sequoia National Park of CA made it to our list too. We all know the health benefits of being amidst nature, and what better place than the forest of giant trees.

Maximum workout in minimal time

Choosing to get fitter or staying fit requires determination and in your case doctor, time as well. But even if you could spare some time for exercising, wouldn’t you want to make the most of it? We came across a research, where we saw exercises that you could engage in and burn maximum calories possible.

Through the article ‘Researchers rank top 10 calorie-burning workouts’, we gave you the different types of workouts and their calorie-burn comparison. Our article also covered alternatives to different exercises, keeping in mind some situations like injuries and bad weather. We also detailed out the modern cardiovascular workouts for those of you, who may want something different or a bit more intense.

Fill that void, find that purpose

We often question the purpose of our being. It’s a clichéd but a very pertinent thought that strikes you when you feel a void within. The void can surface at any age and to anyone, even you doctor. Point being, self-development is important and it can happen only when you are driven in life. But what if the drive within could enable your growth while also promoting contentedness?

We introduced you to the Japanese concept of ‘Ikigai’ in our article ‘Dear Doctor, have you found your Ikigai yet?’ The article explained the concept and gave reasons why doctors also need to find their Ikigai. We chalked out an easy-to-understand method to help you arrive at your 'reason for being'. If you still haven’t found your motivation, your calling, your Ikigai, do give the article a read.

Can your poison be healthy for you?

No denying, alcohol has been considered responsible for many diseases and hence, has always had a negative image. That alcohol is harmful, is the truth or a myth? As doctors you may have either faced such questions or thought about it yourself.

After browsing several published reports, we discovered that there indeed are certain liquors that are not as harmful as others. In fact, we identified those spirits, which when had occasionally and within limits. Read our article titled ‘Alcoholic drinks that may actually be good for you’ to know if your poison features in our list.

If you liked an article you read, please share the link of the article with your colleagues, as well. With this last one in the series of the ‘most popular articles of 2019’, we hope you continue reading our articles in the next year too!

To read the other articles in the series- What doctors loved on M3 India in 2019, click below:

Top 5 clinical articles of 2019: Here's what trended on M3 India

Top 5 articles of 2019, beyond medicine; what doctors loved on M3 India!