Holi: Top 10 Tips for a Healthy & Safe Holi

‘Bura na mano, Holi hai!’ Holi is a festival of fun, frolic, and colors. It’s a celebration of everything that's lively and youthful. It's one of the most important Hindu festivals and is not only celebrated within the community but across the world. This year the festival of colors, Holi will be celebrated on 28th and 29th March 2021. 

Though, Holi is the perfect excuse to roll around in heaps of colors and look like a human rainbow. It is important to keep yourself safe and also enjoy to the fullest at this festival. Health must never be compromised for the sake of fun. 

During Holi, a lot of people indulge in activities that aren't really safe and healthy. This includes using chemicals in colors. These chemicals might penetrate the top layer of your skin and cause a breakout of acne and rashes. Also, there are people who purchase sweets that might be adulterated and lead to digestive problems.  

We will give you a complete guide on everything you need to do before the festival of colors comes close.  

Tips to Keep in Mind for a Healthy & Safe Holi- 

1. Oil your Skin ASAP: 

It is important to get your skin as greasy and as slippery as possible so that the colors don’t get a chance to either permeate or stick on the surface of your skin. You can apply a thick layer of coconut oil as it won’t just hydrate your body but will help colors wash away faster. 

2. Choose Organic Colors: 

Celebrate Holi with eco-friendly and skin-friendly colors. Avoid colors having mixed harmful chemicals. Remember colors with mixed harmful chemicals appear brighter and mix faster with water. These colors are the worst when it comes to getting them off your skin. They are harsh enough to cause allergic reactions, if not taken care of properly.  

One must try and make natural colors from flowers like marigold and kitchen ingredients like sandalwood and turmeric. 

3. Keep Yourself Hydrated: 

Since Holi falls in the summer month, it's essential that you drink enough water and stay hydrated. Keep drinking water, glucose, juices, anything that will help you re-energizing yourself. Dehydration can cause your skin to dry further which can cause problems later. 

4. Protect your Eyes: 

If you wear contact lenses regularly, it is highly advisable that you take them off before playing with colors. Your eyes can get irritated if you get colors in them. Wear shades, it will not only protect you from the sun, but it can also prevent the colors from going anywhere near your eyes and causing inflammation. 

5. Check Your Sweets: 

Adulterated khoya and mawa are very common in the market during Holi time. Test these ingredients for purity before you put them in sweets.  

6. Cover your Body: 

Wear old clothes and cover your body as much as you can. It includes covering cover your arms, legs, and even your face. Choose full-sleeved fabrics, old denim jeans, and even long pajamas. 

7. Avoid Too Much Bhang: 

It’s important to remember the side effects of being on our health. When it is consumed in large quantities, it can lead to increased blood pressure and a hike in heart rate which can put a damper on the festivities. So, drink bhang responsibly. 

8. Sun Protection: 

Keep yourself protected from the sun. Apply an intense oil massage for your head and opt for hats, bandanas, headbands and other fabrics to partially or completely cover your head so as to avoid the harmful rays of the sun. 

9. Be kind to Animals: 

Not everyone is a fan of colors around you. You must avoid colors on pets, strays, and innocent animals. Respect everyone around you when it comes to playing with colors, or throwing water balloons. 

10. Get Nourished: 

Avoid celebrating Holi when you are an empty stomach. Go for fresh fruits, energy drinks, plenty of carbs. Avoid alcohol, coffee, or any other beverage that can cause dehydration.