Now that the festivities are over, it's time for a Diwali detox

The festive season can really play havoc with our looks, what with late nights, lack of sleep, binge eating, and not to forget the vagaries of the weather.

So, what do we do about those tired and puffy eyes, dehydrated skin, or limp hair? These are signs that it's time to detox.

Give up coffee and drink green tea daily. It has great benefits. Drinking green tea is also said to help in losing weight. It increases fat oxidation and eliminates excess levels of water from the body.

You can also add spices to tea, like ginger (adrak), cardamon (elaichi), cinnamon (dalchini) and pepper. Ginger is known to be a 'universal remedy'. Ginger boiled with water is great for digestion. It also reduces inflammation.

Chamomile tea is another healthy option. Available as packaged tea, it helps calm the nerves.


Green tea is a great way to detox. (Image: BCCL)

Another important step for a detox is increasing your water intake. Have a glass of warm water with lemon juice first thing in the morning to flush the system.

There is nothing better than a warm bath to make you feel better. Bath salts help remove fatigue and induce relaxation. You can also add a few drops of essential oil or pure olive oil to your bath water.

Cinnamon oil relieves fatigue and muscular tension, while lavender induces relaxation. Rose oil is said to have a calming effect on the mind.

All the party-hopping during the festive season can cause excess fluid around the eyes. According to skin specialists, gently tapping the skin around eyes with the finger tips can sometimes help drain the collected fluid away. Work from the inner eye and go towards the temples. Grated potatoes or potato juice applied around the eyes also helps reduce puffiness. Alternatively, you can use tea bags. Steep them in hot water, then cool them and use as eye pads.

For the skin, look no further than natural ingredients like honey, aloe vera, cucumber and rose water. They help tone and moisturise the skin and relieve skin fatigue. These may be applied on the skin and washed off with water after 20 minutes.

For oily, combination and acne-prone skin, add 10 drops of sandalwood essential oil to 100 ml of rose water. This makes a protective and refreshing skin tonic. Wipe the face with it, using cotton wool.

A healthy diet is also very important for good skin. Include raw, natural food and fresh fruit and vegetable juices in your daily diet. Anything that can be eaten raw and is naturally derived helps detoxify the system by eliminating waste. Organic food also brings about a sense of well-being and vitality. Include fresh fruits and lightly cooked vegetables, unprocessed cereals, sprouted grains, nuts, seeds, and yogurt in your diet.

Take up yoga. The 'asanas' are beneficial for strengthening the body, making it flexible, supple, and youthful. Combined with breathing exercises, yoga helps purify the organs and induce relaxation of body and mind. Yoga is also a great stress-buster.

Though these are short-terms remedies, bringing about lifestyle changes - giving up smoking, alcohol, binge-ing on heavy, fried foods, will go a long way for glowing skin.

Last, but not the least, head for a deep tissue massage. It will not only be most relaxing, but will also help to release toxins due to massage on pressure points.