Health Struggles: The Impact of Upbringing

What if health struggles stem from upbringing rather than just individual willpower? In a thought-provoking LinkedIn post, Shashank Sharma examines a painful realization: the Indian middle class, despite its discipline and ambition, often neglects the significance of body awareness in children.

Sharma shares his journey, questioning why fitness has always been a struggle for him. He recognizes a cultural gap—growing up in an environment that failed to instill the importance of caring for one’s body.

Health Neglected for Academic and Social Success

From skipping meals to normalizing chronic fatigue, Sharma illustrates how health often takes a backseat in households that emphasise academic performance, marriage stability, and social etiquette over self-care, physical activity, and mental health.

“Middle-class families prioritize safety and obedience,” he explains, highlighting that they aim to raise individuals who are employable, rather than strong, ambitious, or self-aware.

The Culture of Avoidance

In place of rest, there were quick fixes. Rather than fostering awareness, avoidance was commonplace. “Many grew up in settings where the fear of diagnosis overshadowed the fear of disease,” Sharma notes, emphasising that crucial aspects like quality sleep, digestive health, and stress relief were not part of the upbringing. Pain was merely treated, not understood, while exhaustion was often worn as a symbol of dedication.

This candid post outlines the lasting consequences of such cultural oversight—issues like back problems, diabetes, insomnia, and persistent weight challenges are framed as the body’s silent protest against years of neglect.

Ignoring the Body’s Needs

“We establish careers and nurture families. We meet every societal expectation. But what’s often overlooked? The health of the body we carry throughout these experiences.”

The Path to Recovery

Sharma proposes that the solution lies not merely in adopting new habits but also in transforming the language we use. “Perhaps the issue isn’t just about willpower; it’s about the terminology we employ.” In a society where adulthood often equates to fatigue, he insists that fitness transcends luxury—it represents a fundamental survival necessity.