Diwali has just gone by, hopefully leaving you with a huge smile on your face, although slightly worn out from all the festivities? Maybe, you feel a tad bit bittersweet about the end of the Indian festive season and having to go back to mundane life. Time to say goodbye to the memories of motichoor ladoo, samosas, all-night dance parties, and skipping exercise? Oh No.
But we all do eventually have to go back to the regular routine, and it is the routine that grounds us, makes us feel in control, and helps us look after ourselves. Here are a few tips that can help you get back to a bit more discipline, a bit less mayhem, and overall, better command over your health.
7 Easy-to-Follow Post-Diwali Health Tips
Navigating the festive season is not easy for anyone worried about their health, and especially if you are living with a chronic condition, be it obesity, hypertension, or Type 2 Diabetes.
But worry not, with the festive season behind us, you can now start taking small yet determined steps to go back to a healthy routine, even though it may seem boring at first after the chaotic energy of the festivities.
Here are some quick tips to remind you of what you probably already know, how to take care of yourself.
Schedule a Visit to the Doctor
Start your post-festival healthcare plan with a visit to your doctor. Discuss your diet and lifestyle over the past few days or weeks with them and let them suggest the next steps for you.
Your doctor may also measure your vitals, and order some lab tests, such as blood sugar, lipid profile test etc., to get a complete picture of your health condition. This visit will give you an idea of how you are placed in terms of health, and placate any worries you may have.
Rebalance Your Diet
Even if you did indulge in festive food, whether fried or sweet, it is in the past. Don’t be too hard on yourself and take steps to get back to a healthy, balanced diet. Set your meal timings again, shop for some fresh fruits and veggies, and plan out easily digestible meals for the next few days, such as khichdi.
Try to avoid any more excessively sweet or deep-fried food for the time being, and focus on:
- Increasing your intake of fibre, healthy fats, protein, and complex carbohydrates.
- If there is any festive food left at home, distribute it amongst friends and family so that you are not tempted to just “finish it off”.
Get Back to Regular Exercise
There is no way around this one. A healthy lifestyle is incomplete without exercise. You may have told yourself that the festive days were too busy and tiring to sneak in even a small workout. Never mind. Start now.
- Set an alarm for that morning walk.
- Check the next available time slot at your gym or take the kids and go for a swimming session.
- Try to get in 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week, and you will feel the post-festive lethargy just melting away.
Keep Yourself Hydrated
Hydration is crucial for everybody and you may have forgotten this in the hustle-bustle of the celebrations. So chug on that bottle of water, or sip on some green tea. You can drink coconut water, buttermilk, or lime water during a snack break too.
Whether you want to lose weight, or you are trying to manage Diabetes or Hypertension, water can help!
Thirsty? Choose water.
Hungry? Drink some water and then see if you still are.
Catch up on Sleep
Missing out on sleep to catch up with friends and family, and joining in on the festivities sounds fun, but lack of sleep makes everything worse! It makes blood sugar levels difficult to manage, worsens blood pressure, and makes you overeat.
So now that the festive season is over, pause that web series and get the much-needed sleep. As you rest well, you will feel the difference in your body and mind. Everything looks manageable when you have slept well!
Don’t Stress About What Happened
Giving yourself the leeway to indulge just a few too many times or letting go of your exercises once in a while can be good for your happiness and overall well-being. Move forward and focus on getting back to your healthy habits, and if you are stressed about your health, talk to your doctor, or share your concerns with loved ones.
Ask for Help When it Feels Too Much
We get it, it’s not easy having to watch what you eat or drink all the time, while friends and family around you are celebrating with abandon. It’s not easy always having to think about how something you are doing or not doing affects your health.
You are not alone. If you are feeling overwhelmed by constantly having to juggle between your health condition and enjoying life, do not keep it to yourself. Speak to your doctor or a mental health professional about your concerns. Your mental health is as important as your physical health.
Needless to say, it would be ideal if you can avoid alcohol for a few days after the indulgence of the festive season. Also, smoking is never a good idea, before, during, or after festivals.
We hope this transition to a normal routine is made a little bit easier for you with these tips. Take care of yourself and enjoy the order and predictability of your routine life until the next festival comes calling.
