India, Feb. 19 -- I n an age where hustle culture often blurs the line between ambition and burnout, chef Vikas Khanna recently opened up about hitting pause. The Michelin-star chef reflected on the toll of his relentless routine: late-night services, early-morning shoots and constant travel, that left his body fatigued and his mind drained. The grind ultimately pushed him to re-evaluate his relationship with food itself. He wrote on Instagram, "Fatigue first appears in the body, but it quietly enters the mind. You lose clarity, patience, and even gratitude. I realised I wasn't tired because of work; I was tired because my rhythm was broken." Vikas shared how he began to consciously choose cleaner, more wholesome foods that nurtured both energy and equilibrium. The shift, he suggests, was less about restriction and more about realignment. "Warm water before sunrise, simple meals, less gluten and sugar, less excess, more seasonal produce and early dinners. When I eat according to the sun rather than the clock, my mind becomes calmer," he wrote. His reset emphasised on improving gut health: "We often separate physical and mental health, but they are the same conversation. The gut carries memory, mood, and energy. A restless stomach creates a restless mind. A nourished body creates emotional stability." Frequent long-haul travel, he added, deepened this understanding. Over time, he realised that jet lag wasn't merely about disrupted sleep, but about an internal clock thrown off balance, particularly digestion. Vikas began retraining his body to recognise time cues through mindful eating, sunlight exposure, and a consistent daily rhythm: "Jet lag is not only about sleep, it is about digestion. When I help my body recognise time through food, light, and routine, I help my mind find stillness again." He concluded with a note of humility and intention: "I am still learning. I still fail many days. But now I understand that discipline in diet is not restriction - it is self-respect. Food doesn't just sustain my work anymore. It sustains my peace."...