Lokesh Bindal believes prioritizing one’s mental and physical health is crucial to one’s quality of life. He learned this after he moved to Riverside in 2021 and began working from home as a software engineer. Eventually, realizing he was suffering from burnout, he acknowledged the job was taking a toll on his wellbeing and a change was necessary.
Bindal opted to switch to being an independent contractor, which allowed him the flexibility to focus on his overall health.
“I think it’s very important for people to take care of their fitness and their health and wellbeing because it significantly improves their quality of life,” Bindal said.
“I feel that since I started taking care of myself and slowing down, I feel much happier.”
Now he can choose contracts based on how much time and energy they will take so he can continue his health journey and have time for himself.
“I have changed a lot, in positive ways, after taking care of my body and health,” he added.
During his wellness journey, Bindal discovered yoga and meditation. He wasn’t sure where to begin, so he began learning many different meditation and yoga techniques. He also started exploring different yoga studios in the area, including Soluna Yoga and Spa.
“After I started going to different classes, I learned about all these different poses and different styles of yoga,” he said.
Bindal expanded his yoga horizons, even attending a yoga retreat in Italy. He practiced yoga and had a unique meditative experience while staying in a southern Italian town off the tourist radar.
“It was an amazing experience, and all the people were mainly local and very friendly,” he said. “I got to experience how they live: They live a slow, easy life.”
He also enjoyed the pizza, trying many different toppings. One of his favorites was a home fried potato pizza.
In addition to yoga, he’s added CrossFit to work fitness regimen, taking classes at Orange Theory, and also enjoys walking from Riverside to Memorial Park, occasionally stopping at Riverside Arts Market on the weekends.
“I’m a big-time walking person,” Bindal said. “I just put on my headphones, listen to an audiobook and go for a walk.”
If he doesn’t have a lot of time, he will just go walking in Riverside.
“No matter which street you go here, it’s all beautiful trees and houses,” he said.
Bindal joined Riverside Avondale Preservation to become more involved in his community.
“I was wondering how I could contribute from my side,” he said. “It also helps me get to know people in the community.”
Recently, Bindal suggested the group get more trash cans installed in the area to keep it clean and wondered if restaurants might be able to put trash cans outside their buildings to help as well.
When he isn’t focusing on his health, he enjoys watching games with his friends during football season. He is also a Jaguars fan and tries to go to at least one game each season.
Bindal also enjoys cooking and deploying his extensive collection of spices or dabbling in different cuisines, from Italian to Mexican to Indian. His favorite thing to make is rice and beans.
“It’s my all-time favorite and it’s very simple,” he said. “It’s also very comforting.”
Bindal also enjoys exploring the area’s libraries and parks – Fort Clinch State Park is one of his favorites – or taking daytrips to nearby destinations like St. Augustine or Savannah. He recently rented an Airbnb with friends in Fernandina Beach and really enjoyed exploring that area.
“I like to take a weekend trip and drive a couple of hours,” he said. “I like a weekend getaway with friends.”
A stray cat – Liddy, a.k.a. Love Bug – recently helped him discover something new about himself: He’s a cat person. He fed Love Bug once and she never left.
“She wouldn’t leave,” he said. “And she would not let other cats come near the house.”
Love Bug officially claimed Bindal – and now the two are inseparable.
