#Cultureandwellness

A growing number of experts say workouts don’t have to exhaust you to be effective. A recent Business Insider report highlights that pushing too hard can backfire, leading to poorer results and higher risk of burnout and injury. A veteran personal trainer with experience in finance and fitness shares practical red flags and green flags to help Thai readers optimize routines for long-term health and consistency.

Health in daily life remains central for many Thais—from Bangkok gyms and city parks to Muay Thai training. Yet the urge to push to the limit can create unhealthy patterns. The interviewee’s journey—balancing a demanding finance career with fitness—reflects a broader shift in research: sustainable routines beat punishing bursts of effort for lasting gains.

The widespread belief that a workout must leave you exhausted to be effective is increasingly being challenged by experts. According to a recent report published by Business Insider, personal trainers now advise that pushing too hard in the gym can backfire, leading not only to poor results but also increased risk of burnout and injury (Business Insider). In the article, a seasoned personal trainer with experience in both the financial industry and fitness sector shares practical guidelines—red flags and green flags—for Thai readers to optimize their exercise routines without sacrificing long-term health or consistency.

On the shelves of Thai herbal shops and in village kitchens, the curious dark seeds of Samrong—known scientifically as Scaphium scaphigerum—have long been a staple for cooling drinks and traditional remedies. Recognizable for the way they swell into a jelly when soaked in water, these seeds hold centuries of therapeutic lore. In recent years, Samrong, also called “Malva nut,” is drawing scientific attention for its reported health benefits, revealing a compelling intersection between folk wisdom and contemporary research that resonates with Thailand’s heritage and modern wellness trends.

Samrong seeds (Scaphium scaphigerum) have long sat on the shelves of Thai herbal shops and in village kitchens. When soaked, the seeds swell into a gentle jelly, creating a cooling drink and a staple in traditional remedies. Today, scientists are examining Samrong to understand how its time-honored use aligns with contemporary wellness trends in Thailand.

Across Southeast Asia, Samrong is a familiar presence in households. In Thailand, locals know it by several regional names, reflecting its cultural significance in daily life. The dried fruit yields a mucilaginous texture when soaked, offering relief from heat and a range of digestive discomforts. It is commonly prepared as a cool beverage, sometimes mixed with basil seeds and sugar. In traditional Chinese medicine, it is known as Pang Da Hai. Buddhist monastic cuisine also includes Samrong as part of “five-root” decoctions, underscoring its enduring status across generations.