Many working professionals find it difficult to balance work and fasting during Navratri. While the festival is a time for spiritual connection and cleansing, the pressures of a busy workday can make it difficult to stay energised and focused. Fasting doesn't have to mean sacrificing your productivity or health; with a few small adjustments, you can comfortably observe your fast and keep up with your work. Here are some simple dos and don'ts to help you get through Navratri while feeling healthy and energised.
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Don't Overwork Yourself
Make a clear timetable for your job and resist the urge to give up due to exhaustion. Your body should be able to relax and cleanse during Navratri fasts, therefore putting too much strain on oneself during these nine fortunate nights would be bad for your health. Make sure your performance at work is not negatively impacted by undereating.
Make Informed Choices
Fasting is not an excuse to make up for not eating your usual food by munching on potato chips or other harmful snacks. Bananas, apples, guavas, and oranges are good fruit choices to maintain a healthy level of energy. Have some bananas on hand at your workstation for quick energy.
Don't Overstress
During the Navratri fast, stress can worsen your health and make you feel weaker. Aim to avoid starving yourself for hours at a time and remain hydrated to manage your stress levels. When work becomes too much, you can take a five-to-ten-minute break. To further lessen tense conditions, make sure you bring enough food for your Navratri fast with you to work.
Maintain Fluid Levels
Avoid being dehydrated - drink lots of herbal teas, vegetable juices and fruit liquids during Navratri fasting to replace your body fluids and salt levels. Food without spices or salt is often consumed during the fast; thus, to prevent your body from weakening throughout the fast, you can use rock salt in place of salt.
Opt For Nutrient Dense Foods
Working professionals should choose light and nutrient-rich meals over heavy, fatty, or fried ones in order to sustain energy levels throughout the day. Nuts, seeds, yoghurt, fresh produce, and nuts are all excellent options that will satisfy your hunger without making you feel exhausted. Makhana (fox nuts), sweet potatoes, and paneer are wonderful alternatives for sustained energy and simple digestion.
Eat Meals At Regular Intervals
To keep your metabolism going and prevent overeating, you should choose to eat smaller, more frequent meals rather than one or two large ones. Eating little meals every three to four hours helps keep blood sugar levels constant and avoids abrupt drops in energy that might impair your productivity at work. Incorporate energy-sustaining snacks such as roasted makhana, fruit salads, or a small handful of almonds into your diet in between meals.
Avoid Overindulging In Sugary And Fried Foods
While it may be tempting to overindulge in sugary sweets or fried appetisers like aloo chips, these meals may cause energy dumps and make you feel lethargic. Choose more nutritious options instead, such as grilled veggies, fruits, or roasted almonds. Steer clear of processed sugar as it may provide you with a little energy boost but eventually lead to exhaustion, which may reduce your productivity.