Celebrate Durga Puja with a Focus on Mindful Health and Wellness

Dr Payel Kumar Roy — Dr. Payel Kumar Roy

For you festive divas! Want your Health & Skin to dazzle this Puja? Here are some tips for Radiant, Show-Stopping Skin & Lifestyle – Stated by Dr. Payel Kumar Roy, Chief Clinical Dietician & Critical Care Nutritionist of Techno India Dama Multispeciality Hospital.

This year Durga Puja will be different in every aspect. We’ll give more focus on health & Mind rather than the looks. We need to understand first that In India, no festival, no matter how small or big, is incomplete without at least some feasting & when it comes to the biggest festival in the country no one is bothered actually for the inner health. Just like an example, when maximum will be surrounded by tantalising sights of big plates of biryani being served hot, sizzling platters of kebabs, the beguiling sight of chicken chowmein all around them some Healthy & Tasty diet foods definitely will give a tough challenge to those who are more focused on their diet.

We all desire healthy, radiant and glowing skin, and the quest for that coveted glow often leads us down numerous beauty aisles searching for miracle products.

But we need to understand first that what one put, can have a great impact on their skin but our main target is our overall physiological health & function. For example, eating a well-nourished vitamin & mineral enriched diet with whole grains, fruits, and vegetables will manifest completely differently than a diet rich in fried foods.

The vital factors that influence the interplay between diet and skin health are:

Nutrient Supply – The skin needs a steady supply of nutrients like vitamins, minerals, proteins, and healthy fats obtained from the consumed foods.
Collagen and Elasticity – A diet lacking collagen-boosting nutrients like vitamin C, amino acids, and antioxidants can reduce collagen production, resulting in sagging and wrinkles.
Hydration – Liberal amount of Fluid is important. Consuming water-rich foods for glowing skin, such as fruits and vegetables, helps to maintain proper skin hydration, and the lack of which can lead to tired and less radiant-looking skin.
Gut-Skin Connection – An unhealthy gut microbiome can lead to imbalances in the body, potentially exacerbating skin issues like acne and eczema.
Focus on Whole Foods: One should incorporate more whole and unprocessed foods into the diet such as fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, etc.
When curating a diet plan for glowing skin, one needs to incorporate foods that are rich in a myriad of nutrients, including Vitamins A and C, and omega-3 fatty acids.
Limit Processed Foods & Sugar: Processed foods and sugary drinks are often loaded with unhealthy fats, refined carbohydrates, and added sugars. These can contribute to inflammation and breakouts.
Get Quality Sleep- Lack of good-quality sleep through the night is another common reason behind poor skin health.
Sun protection – Cosmetic Care

Sun exposure is a leading reason behind wrinkles and dark spots. Even on cloudy days, one must apply sunscreen to protect the skin against UV damage. Look for a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher.

So, Eat Healthy & Stay Healthy

Durga Puja is just around the corner, bringing with it days filled with fun, festivities and long hours outdoors. While we all focus on looking our best, one important aspect of our health often goes unnoticed: our eyes.

Dr. Basupurna Majumdar, Consultant Ophthalmologist at Disha Eye Hospitals highlights how the protection and proper eye hygiene can help one keep away from eye problems. With long hours outdoors, exposure to dust, pollution and harsh sunlight, it is easy for our eyes to become irritated. A few simple precautions can go a long way in keeping your eyes healthy.

Here are some practical tips to protect your eyes and avoid discomfort during this festive season:

Choose sunglasses with UV protection – Spending hours outdoors under the sun can strain your eyes. Make sure to wear sunglasses with proper UV protection to safeguard your eyes from harmful ultraviolet rays, reducing the risk of eye allergies and long term damage.
Avoid touching your eyes – It is inevitable that your hands will come in contact with surfaces and other people while you are out pandal hopping. Avoid touching or rubbing your eyes with unclean hands, as they can introduce dirt, bacteria or allergens, leading to infections.
Do not splash water directly into your eyes – While it may feel refreshing, splashing water into your eyes can strip away the protective tear film that shields your eyes from irritants. Only limit washing your eyes in instances where they feel particularly dry or if dust and debris has entered them.
Clean your face and hands after being outdoors – After being outdoors, wash your face and hands thoroughly to remove dust, dirt or pollutants. This simple step can prevent irritation or allergic reactions.
Avoid sharing personal items – Sharing personal items like towels, handkerchiefs, or toiletries may seem harmless, but it can transfer bacteria and lead to eye infections. Be mindful and keep your personal items to yourself during these festivities.
Do not share eye makeup – Never share eye cosmetics, such as mascara, eyeliner or eyeshadow, as this increases the risk of transmitting bacteria, which can cause eye infections
Special care for contact lens users – If you use contact lenses, ensure you follow proper hygiene. Avoid wearing them for more than 16 hours, and keep in mind to take them off before sleeping, as this can lead to serious eye infections or corneal damage.
Go light with makeup during the day – For day time activities, go minimal with your makeup and make sure it does not flake into your eyes. It is advised to use waterproof mascara as melted mascara can be harmful for the eyes.
Apply eyeliner carefully – Be careful while applying eyeliner to ensure that it does not touch your eyes directly
Always remove makeup before sleeping – No matter how late it is, always remove your eye makeup before bed to avoid irritation or infection