Light a lamp for yourself: 7 creative ways to bring wellness into your life this Diwali

Diwali, the festival of lights, is a sacred celebration in India and has now found popularity across the world. The legend goes that Diwali was first celebrated to mark the return of Lord Rama to his kingdom after defeating the demon king Ravana, symbolising hope and new beginnings. With beautiful flowers, decorations and festivities, this auspicious occasion brings people together.

As we celebrate this festival, it also presents a perfect opportunity for us to focus on our wellbeing. In fact, Diwali is an ideal time to reflect on our health, happiness and the way forward. Join us as we explore ways to bring wellness into our lives during this festive season.

Embrace healthy eating

Diwali is famous for its delicious sweets and snacks and it’s easy to get carried away with all the tempting treats. Many of us even binge eat during this festive time! While it’s okay to enjoy these foodie delights, it’s also important to be mindful of our health.

This Diwali, consider preparing some nutritious dishes along with your traditional sweets. Incorporating fruits, vegetables and whole grains into your meals can help you enjoy the festive flavours while keeping your body nourished. By being mindful about what you eat, you can enjoy Diwali without compromising on your health.

Light up with yoga

How about starting this auspicious day by practising yoga! We all know the wonderful benefits yoga has on our minds and bodies. Practising yoga can help you relax and stay grounded, allowing you to fully enjoy the festival, especially the whirlwind activities associated with it. You can simply set some time each day in the morning for gentle stretches or yoga poses. This practice can relieve immediate stress, improve your flexibility and bring a sense of calm to your busy schedule. By incorporating yoga into your Diwali routine, you can take care of an important aspect of your celebrations, you! What is even better, you can even involve your family in this morning routine—it will ensure some family time everyday before you all head off to celebrate!

Connect with nature

What could be a better way to celebrate Diwali than by spending some time in nature? If you manage to find some time to yourself in between the festivities, sit with a cup of tea in your garden. Or prune your plants or pot a newly bought plant. The wonderful benefits of spending time with plants and nature are well-known. But taking time to connect with greenery and nature in the midst of festivities can help you calm down and relax in a great way.

Take a moment to enjoy the beauty around you, listen to the sounds of birds, feel the breeze or breathe in the fresh air. Embracing nature around this time will also teach you to appreciate the simple joys of life and make you grateful for all that you are blessed with.

Opt for eco-friendly celebrations

This Diwali, consider choosing eco-friendly options to celebrate. You can start by using natural decorations like flowers and leaves instead of plastic items. When it comes to fireworks, think about using noise-free and eco-friendly options that are less harmful to the environment and animals. You can also opt for handmade gift items instead of mass-produced ones. These small changes will help the planet in a significant way—you will produce lesser waste, support local artisans and promote sustainability all at once.

Also, try to share the awareness you have about sustainability and eco-friendly products with others so that everyone can turn a new leaf and participate in keeping our planet healthy and free of waste or pollutants.

Say no to multitasking

In the mad rush of Diwali preparations and celebrations, it’s easy to fall into the trap of multitasking. However, this can lead to stress and burnout, sometimes in the middle of the festival itself. So, whether it’s preparing for a family gathering or decorating your home, dedicate your full attention to one activity to make the experience much more fun. Also, you can get many things done by simply following a to-do list—it will also ensure that you do not forget or overlook any aspect of your prepping.

Finally,  make sure to take regular breaks between work so that you can recharge and actually enjoy the festivities with family and friends instead of just fretting about work.

Engage in community service

Giving back is a wonderful way to feel good. It has been observed that doing something for others positively impacts our wellbeing too. Whether it’s helping in our community or volunteering at an animal shelter, doing our bit can make a difference in our life and the lives of others. Further, engaging in community service strengthens bonds and reminds us of the importance of compassion and kindness in life. It is a fantastic way to spread the spirit of Diwali while creating a positive impact in our communities.

Create a family wellness tradition

Starting a family wellness tradition that everyone can enjoy together can be a grand new addition to one’s Diwali celebrations. This could be attending a yoga session, cooking a healthy sweet dish together as a family or even watching a favourite mythological movie at the end of festivities. Creating a tradition helps strengthen family bonds and is a fun way to encourage each other to lead happier lives.

So, let’s celebrate the festival of lights and also the light within ourselves. By incorporating these wellness practices into our routine, we can create a more balanced and joyful experience during this festive season.