Shopping festivals, carnivals, lit parties, get-togethers, and traveling to your favorite destination, amidst all these super engrossed activities the last thing we want to think about is our health. Because festivals mean that everything has to be special and grand. But why feel guilty about messing around when you can easily fix your hectic routine for the perfect holiday season? So don your party mood with pride and make the most of this exciting time with us by following these simple tips-
- Good night’s sleep- A good night’s sleep is very essential for our bodies to fully recover and regenerate. It is only during the nighttime that our body gets to do its repair and detox work when we are in deep sleep.Following all healthy habits doesn’t pay off if you sacrifice a night’s sleep. Many people might think that a nap during the day is enough to balance their sleep at night, but that doesn’t make sense. This is because our bodies follows a circadian cycle that does all the restorative work itself when we rest peacefully at night. So try to get into the habit of sleeping at least 6 to 8 hours at a fixed time to complete your daily sleep quota. Nothing less or more is not recommended. Sleep resets your body and mind for the next day. But if you can’t sleep at night, try not to over sleep atleast the next day and go to bed early. Skipping your sleep or staying up late can lead to restlessness during the day, which can eventually lead to insomnia and many hormonal problems. Even when holidaying or partying, schedule your plans in such a way that you don’t end up missing your sleep in a row. Sleeping well to enjoy the maximum should be your mantra.
- Hydration- Have you ever wondered why you often feel tired and overwhelmed when you are doing everything right? You may sleep well, eat well, and exercise enough, but you are still restless and unhappy. The reason may lie in your hydration level. 90% of our body’s cells are made up of water, and all of our body’s basic metabolic functions are performed only in the presence of water. Even a drop of 1% can affect our bodies and mood drastically. Start your day with one glass or two of warm water with juice of half a lemon squeezed in, first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. This practice helps to cleans and eliminate toxins from the body that may have accumulated from overeating heavy meals during the festivities. Hydration also helps to maintain skin elasticity and hair gloss making you look beautiful even without makeup naturally. So drink water whenever you feel thirsty, but do not overhydrate as it may create pressure on your kidney. A quick tip: remember to drink water every hour and adjust the amount according to your body’s needs. Replenish your electrolyte levels by drinking coconut water, lemon water, vegetable juices, or homemade detox water, and anytime. Refrain from having any colas, fizzy or aerated beverages in the name of hydration. Hydration through tea and coffee is also debatable because they have caffeine which is a diuretic and eliminate water from the body. So if you are a coffee lover and can’t do without your daily dose of coffee, pay more attention to your hydration throughout the day especially in winters when you don’t feel that thirsty.
- Skincare and haircare- Apart from the basic cleansing, toning, and moisturizing, try to incorporate natural products in your skincare & haircare to keep your skin and hair healthy inside out. Even people with sensitive skin can apply aloe vera gel directly to their skin. For a simple face mask, mix some yogurt, honey and aloe vera gel and apply to damp skin for 20 minutes for a moisturized effect. Tomato juice can also be used directly for skin brightening, but a patch test should be done before use. Because the acids it contains can interfere in some cases. Add some shine to your hair with our homemade banana pack. Mash some slices of banana and mix it with honey and a few drops of lemon juice for oily scalps, or add a few drops of your favorite oil with curd for dry scalps. Leave it on scalp for about 30 minutes then wash your hair with a herbal or no-sulfate shampoo and let it dry naturally. Allow hair to dry completely to easily remove banana residues, for a glossy finish. If you catch cold easily, try a hot oil scalp massage once every week or every fortnight. You can do this at home by heating your favorite oil (such as pure coconut oil) and massaging it gently and firmly into your scalp. Try to cover all your hair and take a head steam and keep your hair wrapped for about an hour before washing your hair. Doing this will show result from the very first day. Oil massage is a great way to condition and restore normal hair that has many undergone many chemicals and heat treatments during a styling session.
- Intermittent fasting- Fret not when you hear the word ‘fasting’, we are not asking you to skip your favorite meals during the festivity. Intermittent fasting implies abstaining from food intake for a period of anything between 12 to 16 hours. You can start by having an early dinner between 7 to 8 p.m. Eat a light dinner to make your body’s natural detoxification process more effective. And eat a wholesome breakfast the next day between 8 to 11 a.m. This way you end up fasting for a period of 12 to 16 hours, majorly spending about 7 to 8 hours in sleep. This is a great way to effortlessly reap the benefits of fasting. Start with a 12 hours fast and gradually increase to 16 hours as the body adapts. During the fasting period, you should drink only plain water to give your gut the much-needed rest it requires to digest all the food you consumed during the party time. This practice is good enough to follow daily for better health. However, if you have any health conditions, such as diabetes or high blood pressure, or are taking any medications, it is recommended that you consult a dietitian or nutritionist. The thumb rule is to listen to your body and see how fasting suits your body and health condition. Don’t be too rigid on yourself. Also, don’t extend your fast for more than 16 hours. If you feel hungry, dizzy, and unable to fast, do eat and try to fast the next day. Gradually increasing your fasting period can energize your system sustainably without shocking your body.
- Get some sunlight- Party season and holidays means late nights when most of us turn nocturnal, partying through the night and sleeping through the day. You can do this once in a while, but if you’re not constantly exposed to the sun during the day, or if you’re in an air-conditioned room or office, it can seriously damage your health. Sunlight is very essential for the production of Vitamin D which is crucial for our bones and many vital hormones aiding sound mental health. So try to get a minimum of 25 to 30 minutes of direct sunlight every day, preferably early in the morning between 7 to 10 a.m. before or after your shower. Remember not to apply any sunscreen while soaking in the sun and also try to have minimal clothing or light cotton clothing for maximum absorption of sun rays. You should get the most out of the sun by waiting atleast 30 minutes instead of bathing immediately after sun exposure.
In addition to these tips, move whenever you get a chance. Try not to sleep or sit all day. Take the flight of stairs, and walk a few kilometers to your work. While 15-30 minutes of exercise each day can certainly help, your body needs to be active to stay fit, so it’s much more important to exercise throughout the day. If you don’t have the time to exercise try to schedule your holidays or travel plans in such a way that it keeps you moving on your feet, you can also engage in outdoor activities with your friends and family while enjoying this festive season. These are some simple ways to maintain your health without much effort while celebrating your heart out. Cherish the festive season the way you want in high spirits.
“XOX”
-TriGr
