Diwali, the festival of lights and happiness, also brings with it, its own health perils, if you are not careful enough. The plethora of sweets & fried snacks, pollution due to crackers and the travel associated with meeting family and friends, can take a toll on your health. As the celebrations wind down, kids and adults alike, may experience tiredness, weakened digestion and dryness. The onset of dryness in this season can cause stiffness in muscles and joints in children, cracked heels, poor digestion and dehydration.
To counter all this, Ayurveda has an elaborate system of self-care for every season, called ‘Ritu Charya’ that includes tips on what to eat, what not to eat, special detox treatments and a guide to seasonal indulgence, just right for a post-Diwali detox.
Here are a few tips to follow:
Diet Tips:
Have plenty of water: This is the season to detox and there’s nothing like lots of water for some good kidney cleansing and flushing out of toxins.
Probiotics in Diet: Make sure you include probiotics like fresh curd in your diet, because digestion tends to be weak post Diwali and generally during the winter. The good bacteria from curd can help your intestines process food easily. This time of the year is addressed as Pitta.
Seasonal Fruits: Add papaya, pomegranate and seasonal fruits rich in antioxidants like the pear and apple to your shopping list.
Body Care Tips:
Abhyanga: A full-body oil massage in particular, and regular oil baths in general help improve skin texture and keep it hydrated.
Oils to massage: Using Kshirbala oil, made from a herbal formulation prescribed by Ayurevda, massage your limbs every day. This can reduce Vata imbalance and is great for strengthening bones and muscles.
Intense Physical Activity: Intense physical activity or sports like badminton and tennis or even dancing will warm the body and help in detoxifying.
Itoozhi Ayurveda, a leading Ayurvedic hospital in Kerala, specializes in detox treatments. This facility is in Kannur, in close proximity to the upcoming Kannur International Airport.
