Diwali is over, the sweets are gone, but the festive spirit is still there. For many, the post-festive slump isn’t just about sugar cravings. After eating laddu, barfi and jalebi for several days, one starts feeling extra things in the body. Bloating, lethargy, dull skin, tired eyes and in many cities the air is so polluted that even breathing feels heavy. Now is the time to stop, recover, and refocus. With two months still left in the year, it’s the perfect time to reboot your body and end the year feeling healthy and energetic.
Detox: more than a buzz word
“Detox after festivals is not just a trendy shortcut. It is a natural, 24×7 biological process,” says Sheela Joseph, consultant nutritionist, Sparsh Hospital, Bengaluru. She explains that true detoxification means staying hydrated for kidney filtration, eating enough protein for liver enzymes, eating high-fiber foods to promote bowel movements, and supporting the body’s natural systems by consuming antioxidants from fruits and vegetables. She adds, “Sleep, exercise, and stress control are equally important, as hormonal imbalance and inflammation can slow down the detox pathway.”
Joseph insists not on restriction, but on restoration. “Reset the rhythm with balanced, regular meals instead of fasting,” she says. “Include colorful fruits, green leafy vegetables, pulses, whole grains, nuts, and seeds to replenish nutrients. Support gut health with fermented foods like yogurt, buttermilk, or kanji to rebuild healthy microbiota that aid digestion and immunity.”
The First 72 Hours: Simple Solutions
One day plan after the festival:
Morning: Mix lemon in warm water to improve digestion.
Breakfast: Oatmeal with fruits or vegetable poha with curd
Mid-morning snack: Fruit like soaked almonds or papaya or apple
Lunch: Vegetable khichdi or brown rice with dal and boiled vegetables; Add buttermilk for better digestion
Evening snack: Green or herbal tea with roasted gram
Dinner: A quick, light meal, clear vegetable soup or grilled cheese with roasted vegetables; Avoid fried or sweet foods.
(Input from Dr Bhushan Bhole, Senior Consultant, GI Surgery and Liver Transplant, PSRI Hospital, New Delhi)
reducing excess sugar
Festivals and sweets go hand in hand, but too much sugar can lead to bloating, water retention and unstable energy levels. Include fiber and probiotics for a few days to balance digestion. To reduce food cravings, soak chia seeds in water and consume a glass of buttermilk and fresh fruits after meals. Herbal teas like fennel or ginger help reduce inflammation and heal the liver.
breathing became easier again
After Diwali, air pollution increases rapidly, especially in Delhi-NCR, where AQI levels often cross 400. Experts warn that indoor cooking and candles can worsen indoor air quality. So here are tips to protect your lungs:
- Keep windows closed during peak pollution times
- Use a bowl of water or a humidifier to reduce dryness
- Avoid incense sticks, candles and frying on high flame
- Keep plants like snake plant, areca palm or money plant inside the house
- Shift workouts indoors – try squats, jumping jacks or Zumba for an energizing home routine.
Skin and Eye Recovery
Heavy makeup and high pollution can wreak havoc on the skin. Dr Navjot Arora, consultant dermatologist, Dermaheal Skin & Clinic, Delhi, warns, “Prolonged wearing of makeup or oil-based makeup creates a film that traps pollutants, blocks pores and triggers inflammation. Over time, this can lead to dullness, premature aging and acne.”
skin-care checklist
- Use a gentle exfoliant after 2-3 days.
- Sleep with your head slightly elevated to reduce swelling.
- Maintain indoor air with purifiers or plants.
- Avoid hot showers that strip away moisture.
- Double cleaning on pollution-heavy days.
- Use products containing antioxidants like vitamin C or niacinamide.
- Go makeup-free for a few days.
eye care tips
- Wash eyes gently with cold water.
- Use preservative-free lubricant drops.
- Wear wraparound sunglasses outside.
- Apply cold compress to swelling.
- For hydration, eat foods rich in omega-3 (walnuts, flaxseed, fish).
(Input by Purendra Bhasin, Founder, Ratan Jyoti Nethralaya, Gwalior)
