Wellbeing and health during festivals

Being healthy is a challenge at all times. It is especially so during festivals. We are all ready and geared up to celebrate the good with kith and kin. The atmosphere lures us all into a celebratory mood, making us feel the unusual and occasional cheer and high spirit. All of us most often give into this spirit, giving away our priorities we have on our health. Indulging in festivities may not impact us directly but it still puts us off our routine. One may ask how it is possible to balance both health and festivities simultaneously. The answer is not easy. Maybe we cannot focus fully on both the areas but, even if we make small conscious choices to be at our best it is commendable. The different aspects to be considered in maintaining health during festivals include food and fitness. Let us look at them one by one.  

Food is inseparable from mankind’s celebrations. It is difficult to exercise restraint during the selected and limited occasions that we get to enjoy traditional delicacies. Though it is true, if we are under an obligation to proceed with caution, it is better we do so. Enjoying rich delicacies can be made healthier with healthier substitutes if possible. This point is valid for nationals of countries like India, where festivals and celebrations follow one after the other. If you are a tourist or individual visiting India for a medical sojourn, you can see plenty of tourist hotspots brimming with different flavours and aromas. These irresistible moments are doubly tempting when there are festivals. Try to find healthier options to make up for the frequency of cravings. Lot of food and health awareness has led to innovative and healthy food options. One such example is the substitution of refined sugar with palm sugar, millets instead of white rice.  

The other aspect to be considered is fitness. Here it is fitness and not exercise because during festive seasons, most of us travel or are on the move, meeting and greeting. During these travels and constant movement, it is difficult to maintain a regime, be it diet or exercise. But wherever we go, we can make sure we get a good bit of movement to make up for the exercise. Short walks, bicycling, treks or jogs could be a good fitness activity while touring. While travelling, we have to be aware of public health issues. Before starting our holiday travel, we must ensure necessary precautions are taken. Vaccinations, health assurance, availability of medical aid and medicines that we may need, etc. are some of the medical aspects of fitness.  

The best way to keep track of all is to keep a checklist and have a plan. Planning beforehand, whether travelling or not can come in very handy. Monitoring our choices of food and limiting them as per our requirements is an option if we cannot totally avoid rich and fatty food. Of course, another alternative is to let it all go, come back and plunge into our diet and fitness routines. Being proactive is always better than reactive. Whatever the case, it all comes back to self-control, planning and forethoughts. If you are in India for medical treatment make full use of medical tourism benefits. Enjoy the culture, appreciate the difference, while keeping in mind the health and safety in mind. There are plenty of doors waiting to be discovered.