Illness can really play havoc with our looks. What do we do when we have a cold? How do we deal with the after effects of viral fever on our looks? What do we do about those tired, puffy eyes? Fever can cause dehydration, with dry lips, redness of the eyes and dehydrated skin. These are the times when we really need ways to look better than we actually feel.
Take a warm bath to feel better
There is nothing better than a warm bath to make you feel better. A bath really revitalizes and refreshes. In fact, it can be most soothing and relaxing.
Add bath salts to bath water
Bath salts, added to bath water, can help to remove fatigue and induce relaxation. The salts that can be used are crystals of the normal salt, Epsom salts, bicarbonate of soda (baking soda), borax, etc. For good results, it is recommended that one should add the bath salt preparation to the bath water in your tub and then soak in it for about 20 minutes. Then the body should be washed with clean, warm water.
In order to make your own bath salts at home very simply, just add two tablespoons of salt crystals to the bath water, along with essential oils.
You can add 5 drops of an essential oil to pure olive oil and then add it to the water along with the salts.
Cinnamon Oil relieves fatigue and muscular tension, while Lavender induces relaxation.
Rose oil is said to have a calming effect on the mind.
Essential oils should not be used by themselves.
Get rid of eyebags
The excess fluid around eyes really looks terrible and no amount of make-up can help to conceal the problem.
A few tips.
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A skin specialist in London says that gently tapping the skin around eyes with the finger tips can sometimes help the collected fluid to drain away.
One should work from the inner eye and go towards the temples.
A cold compress with chilled rose water and cotton wool pads also helps. Let the cotton wool pads rest on eyelids for 10 to 15 minutes. It's a good idea to lie down and rest while you do this. The fragrance of rose actually brings about a feeling of well being.
Grated potatoes or potato juice, applied around the eyes also helps to reduce puffiness.
So do tea bags. Steep them in hot water, allow to cool; then use them as eye pads.
Build immunity with healthy diet
Building up immunity with a nutritious and balanced diet certainly helps.
Have citrus fruits and seasonal vegetables.
Drink plenty of water to keep your body hydrated.
You can also add spices to tea, like Cardamon (elaichi), Cinnamon (dalchini), and pepper. In fact, cinnamon is known to have several beneficial properties. It builds up the immunity.
Ginger is a popular Ayurvedic remedy. Ginger tea can be taken after meals for digestion and for coughs and colds. Boil ginger in water to make ginger tea. As everyone knows, ginger can also be added to a cup of tea.
Garlic can be taken raw or added to cooked food, for its antibacterial properties.
Take nuts in measured quantities, like walnut, almond and peanuts. They contain vitamins and omega 3 fatty acids. They are better taken unsalted.
Honey is also known to give warmth to the body and helps to give relief to cold and cough. Honey contains fewer calories than sugar. However, for diabetes or any other disease, consult your doctor before taking honey.
In these days of the pandemic, we all have to observe hygiene, wash our hands and use a hand sanitizer.
A positive attitude helps
Last, but certainly not the least, have a positive attitude. It really goes a long way to make you feel better. It also makes you look better. Indeed, looking good actually makes you feel much better!
(This article is authored by Shahnaz Husain, a Padma Shri Award recipient and pioneer of the Ayurvedic beauty movement and the head of a global network of franchise ventures and 375 formulations.)
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