Celebrating a safer Holi!

Water guns, gullal, colored cheeks, endlessly ignored safety measures, dancing-singing, watery splashes and powdered colors makes Holi the most awaited festival of the year.

The Colors

Traditionally holi was played with all natural colors made from flowers, vegetables and fruits, but these days chemical colors have flooded the market which pose a threat to not only skin and hair, but also to lungs, respiratory tract, eyes, nose and digestive tract as well.

Artificial colors made in the base of engine oils can trigger acute skin allergies as well as temporary blindness. These colors are not only harmful for human beings but also for the nature, as the colors which run through water in ponds, rivers and soil pose threat to all living animals coming in contact with the same.

Lack of knowledge and information about synthetic colors is the major reason for raising concerns post Holi. Few precautionary measures which can help you from preventing the health at risk are listed as follows:

• Buy only natural colors: Since artificial colors are more economic than the natural colors, both sellers and buyers tend to go for them. However, these cheap products can pose a threat to human body leading upto diseases like cancer. Colors like red and pink are safer and come out easily as compared to blue, green and other gaudy colors
• Beware of water balloons: It is OK to use water balloons with your friends when they are aware of the fact that they are into the water balloon battle. However, there have been several cases when people lost their visibility or hearing ability due to sudden attack of balloons during holi
• Apply a layer of moisturizer or oil before and after playing with colors in order to protect your skin and hairs. Application of oil before playing holi actually helps in removing the colors easily without damaging the skin and post application of essential oils helps in replenishing the skin oil lost due to excessive cleaning in order to remove the color. Proper skin moisturizing helps in protecting allergic skin reactions and skin diseases like psoriasis
• Getting a relaxed head massage with a good quality hair oil. Oiling your hair prevents the color from sticking in hair strands, keep your head covered at the time of playing with colors. Cover your nails with double coat in order to prevent discoloration of your nails
• Drink plenty of water to replenish the dehydrated skin and hairs

The Food

Holi, the festival of colors, is also known as the festival of food. With all the fried and sweet food items which you restrict yourself from consuming the whole year, holi gives you the cheat day to binge upon. Here are some tips which can help you avoid unhealthy eating while keeping the holi spirit on.

• A healthy adult requires a total of 2000 calories a day but excessive fried and sweet snacking adds extra calories. That simply doesn’t mean to kill your taste buds but to have less servings of holi must food instead of full course meals.
• Keep your body hydrated with the help of juicy fruits, salad and juices. Avoid consumption of alcohol, soda and beverages like thandai.
• Try to keep a record of calorie consumption and don’t miss your regular exercises in holi masti. Dancing is also a good exercise to keep yourself active

So have a blast in the festival with all glam, pomp and show but don’t forget to take care of yourself and your dear ones.