Christmas is undoubtedly a time of celebration where your spirits are high and overindulging yourself in pleasantries becomes the norm. However, you might want to be a bit more cautious about your health during the holidays. Try keeping yourself in check so that you don’t end up adversely affecting your digestive system during the season. This can lead to the accumulation of Ama (The toxic by-products that result from incomplete digestion) which can weaken your digestive fire (agni) thereby causing stomach illnesses and sleep deprivation.
The following are a few tips to help keep you on track when it comes to staying fit and healthy during the Christmas week.
Choose to have your main meal at midday
According to Ayurveda, your digestive fire (Agni) is at its highest during midday so this would be the best time to have your meals to combat the undesirable accumulation of the toxic Ama. You should also avoid heavy meals during the evening. This can take a toll on your digestion process and disrupt your sleep.
It is also better to have your supper at least three hours before you go to sleep in order to prevent discomfort to your stomach and ensure a good night’s sleep.
Avoid Skipping Meals
In order to keep your digestive fire burning, you need to have regular meal times and stick to them. Irregular meals will only end up weakening your agni. In addition to this,only eat when you’re hungry. Avoid eating out of compulsion even when you’re feeling overstuffed.
Include Amla juice in your daily diet
Drinking Amla juice first thing in the morning every day is a great way to make sure your body gets all the essential nutrients it needs. It is rich in Vitamin C and can significantly improve your health by boosting your immune system, enhancing your body’s metabolism by aiding in digestion , reducing cholestrol levels, supporting liver functions and flushing out toxins thereby restoring the balance to all three of your doshas (life forces).
Besides, if you happen to be suffering from a cold or a cough resulting from the harsh winter weather, a mixture of amla juice and honey consumed at regular intervals in spoonfuls can work wonders for you.
Don’t sit around at home idly all-day
Sure, it might be your day off and you finally have some free time to spend with your family but that doesn’t mean you have to do it indoors. Instead of planting yourself on the couch watching Tv all day, encourage your family and friends to take a walk with you outside or accompany you on a trip somewhere close just to make sure you keep moving enough. A quick walk right after the Christmas feast or any meal time in general can greatly aid your digestion.
Don’t overindulge during the feast
Be careful not to overstuff yourself with food. Just because its Christmas doesn’t mean you have to eat twice as much as you usually do. Make sure that you have a normal-sized meal that keeps your digestive fire in check. Don’t go stuffing yourself when you’re already feeling full
Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables
In order to stay in good health, there’s probably nothing more important than taking care of your vitamin and mineral intake. In the midst of all your Christmas shopping and preparations, don’t forget to fill up the fruit bowl with ample amounts of fruit and vegetables.
Drink a lot of water
Christmas is generally a time of late-night parties, traveling and social interactions that can drain away a lot of your energy. It is important that you stay hydrated. Drink warm water in between meals.
