Contributed by: Healthians Team
Introduction
With Diwali just around the corner, the preparations are in full swing and the excitement for this auspicious festival is at its peak. From home renovations and decorations to buying new clothes and from worshipping Goddess Laxmi to regrouping with friends and family after a 2-year break, this year the occasion of Diwali is truly special.
Surrounded by all the joy, many people often forget to take care of their health, which can give rise to health complications and obstruct the festive vibes by hampering the celebrations.
These health complications occur due to several bad choices that can take place during any festival, such as binge eating, changes in sleep patterns, increased intake of oily foods and sweets, lack of exercise, and changes in the time of eating meals.
You might now be thinking that what are these health problems and are they serious? Well, these complications mainly affect your stomach and hinder the process of digestion, which gives rise to complexities such as acid reflux, gas, uneasiness, fatigue, constipation, diarrhoea and difficulty in bowel movements.
Although these issues are common during festivals and less severe, however, if steps are not taken at the right time to manage these conditions, they can easily aggravate. In this article, we bring you some tips that will help you in avoiding these health concerns and celebrate Diwali with utmost joy.
Maintain your sleep cycle
Willingly or unwillingly, the sleep cycle can get affected during festivals due to night-long conversations and fun activities with friends or family. Though Diwali comes only once a year and, understandably, you want to make the best of it, yet ignoring the importance of proper sleep can hamper your overall well-being and put a dent in the festivities. Aim for at least seven to eight hours of sound sleep at night to stay active and enjoy the festival.
Take lukewarm water
Due to binge eating during Diwali and the odd timing of meals, the risk of indigestion increases. Many studies back the benefits of drinking lukewarm water as it provides several benefits including improving digestion, relieving constipation, detoxification, and improved functioning of the central nervous system.
While lukewarm water intake is highly recommended, yet having it throughout the day isn’t a good idea. The best time to drink it is before you sleep and after waking up to aid in digestion and to keep your stomach fit for the fiesta ahead.
Adding crushed ginger while boiling the water and mixing it with lemon juice can aid detoxification and promote your overall well-being. Besides, lukewarm water, make sure to drink at least 2 to 3 litres of normal temperature water every day to stay healthy and hydrated.
Avoid meals at odd times
Fun and frolic that extends late into the night with friends or family can cause changes in your meal timings, leading to gut complications like acidity or difficulty in bowel movements. To avoid the occurrence of such conditions, have your meal at the right time and then enjoy the happy times with your loved ones.
Don’t forget to exercise
During festivities, some people might ignore the importance of working out and enjoy their new comfort zone filled with food, beverages, and a stress-free environment. It may make them feel ecstatic, but it can also negatively impact their overall health.
If spending time at the gym on Diwali and the following days, low-intensity exercises such as brisk walking, jogging, skipping, and yoga can help in maintaining overall well-being and keeping you active.
Take the Ayurvedic road to good health
- After a heavy meal, a tablespoon of honey mixed with one squeezed lemon and cinnamon powder (dalchini) can stimulate good enzymes and control cholesterol levels.
- Eating a heavy meal during festivals is common. To decrease the chances of its negative impact on your health, have a spoon of Trikatu with ghee ahead of the meal. This combination makes the metabolism stronger and promotes healthy digestion.
- Avoid deep-fried sweets and opt for sweets made with ghee.
- During festivals, the intake of sweets is higher than at any other time of the year, which increases the chances of increased sugar levels, which can be dangerous, especially for diabetics. Ayurveda experts suggest that a blend of amla, turmeric, and aloe vera can help in controlling sugar levels.
Final thoughts
To enjoy Diwali while minimizing the risks of health complications, you must consider implementing the above-mentioned tips to healthify your celebration.
You can also suggest your loved ones follow these tips to stay healthy by taking measures to avoid any health complications and celebrate a happy and prosperous Diwali.
