Dussehra, an Indian festival, symbolizes the triumph of good over evil. Legends sing how Lord Ram killed the ten-headed Ravana, the king of demons. Today, Ravana and demons live within everybody, making us hollow from inside without us realizing it. These demons are none other than the unhealthy habits that we are living with. We don’t realize their ill effects for a long time until they begin to degrade our health. Let’s figure out which one of the following is an unhealthy habit. This Dussehra, here is a list of unhealthy habits to avoid and focus on defeating them.
Unhealthy Habits to Avoid
Here’s a list of some of the unhealthiest habits that you must avoid in order to have a better lifestyle:
1. Food Habits
We are living in a time when the world is suffering from hunger and obesity at the same time. People are ignoring the importance of not only careful consumption but also nutrients. Rather, they are making food as a thing of leisure. Unhealthy food habits don’t only lead to obesity but also work as a weapon against immunity and energy. Such habits include consumption of junk or processed foods, skipping breakfast, too much cold drink, and other foods without the right amount of nutrients.
Bad eating hampers you to live your life to its fullest. So, it is always better to stick to a balanced diet and give your body the time to absorb nutrients from meals. Fasting in Navratri is the best way to support the body for improved digestion during this time. Also, it is the best time for you to improve your habits.
2. Sedentary Lifestyle
Must have heard that a sedentary lifestyle is the new smoking, as it slowly kills you from the inside. A sedentary lifestyle weakens muscles and bones. You end up gaining unwanted weight due to a lack of physical activity. Additionally, this lifestyle leads to mental illness, including stress, anxiety, depression, weak vision, and others.
Dussehra is the best time to stand against a sedentary lifestyle. Go on a fast and include a muscle-building diet for Navratri that offers protein mainly. Whether you are in bodybuilding or are pursuing common health goals, exercises are quite helpful. It is not always necessary to get involved in intense training. Physical activities requiring small efforts like walking, stretching, yoga, and other simple exercises on a regular basis can create a large positive impact.
3. Screen Time
It’s festival season, guys! Get out of your gaming or entertainment modes and enjoy the real world with family and friends. Longer screen time can hamper your creativity and productivity and cause several other health issues. Blue rays from electronic gadgets can create a hindrance in your sleep, which is an important part of living a healthy life. Say a big “No” to extended screen time in this festival and get into the habit of restrained usage.
4. Smoking and Drinking
Consuming Alcohol in large amounts can have several ill effects on your health. It not only damages the internal organs but also dehydrates you, which is not good for proper nutrient absorption and other bodily activities.
On the other hand, smoking can lead to breathing issues and also fatal effects on the lungs. Quit them immediately and start having lemon juice and other drinks, which can reduce their unhealthy impact. This Dussehra, let’s set these unhealthy habits on fire and root for the healthy ones.
5. Sleep Deprivation
No matter how big your goal is, it can’t be bigger than your health. Compromising your sleep can have consequences on not only your health but also your success goals. Lack of sleep causes weak concentration and memory with other mental health issues. Moreover, lack of sleep leads to laziness, weak immunity, and slow metabolism. So, get a minimum of eight hours of sleep a day and step up toward a healthy lifestyle.
Conclusion
The list of unhealthy habits is endless. With the right approach and healthy habits, we can win over them. So, this Dussehra, let’s focus on our demons and make sure to triumph over them.
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of healthy foods can be consumed during Dussehra?
There is no single dish associated with the festival. However, multiple healthy dishes can be prepared during Dussehra. These can be:
- Chitranna with coconut oil and brown rice
- Protein rich peanut ladoo
- Dosa rich in protein and carbs
- Mineral-rich coconut barfi
- Fibre-rich vegetable pulao
- Date or khajur mishti doi that is low in fat
- Nutritious sabudana khichdi
Which special dish is prepared on Dussehra?
High-calorie sweets like rasgulla, sandesh, jalebi, various types of kheer and ladoo, payasam, shrikhand, moong usal, puran poli, etc. are usually prepared on Dussehra. Other dishes include various fritters, puri, dal paratha, kachori, dhokla, dal vada, and so on. All these foods are quite unhealthy. However, certain measures can be taken to obtain their healthier versions by replacing certain ingredients.
What do we eat on Durga Puja?
Khichdi or khichuri is the major food item that is prepared during Durga Puja. It is considered as an offering to Goddess Durga, and is later distributed among the attendees of the Puja.
Other food items prepared include payasam, luchi and cholar dal, muri ghonto, aamer chutney, pyajoo kari chaat, and other dishes.
Can I eat non veg on Dussehra?
Dussehra being an auspicious festival, people generally do not prefer adding non vegetarian foods to their meals. However, there are certain states in the country where the festival is celebrated with the preparation and serving of meat. So, there is no hard and fast rule to the same; it depends on what an individual wants to follow and what region they belong to.
