Look better than you feel

Illness can really play havoc with our looks, not to mention the vagaries of the weather. 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 need remedies for common ailments and ways to look better than we feel.
There is nothing better than a warm bath to make you feel better. A bath revitalises and refreshes. In fact, it can be most soothing and relaxing. 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) and borax. 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, add two tablespoons of salt crystals to bath water along with essential oils. Among the oils that may be used are cinnamon, lavender, rose, geranium, neroli or eucalyptus. You can add five 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.

The excess fluid around eyes looks terrible and no amount of makeup can help to conceal the problem. 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. I have found that a cold compress with chilled rose water and cotton wool pads also helps. Let the cotton wool pads rest on your under-eyes for 10-15 minutes. It’s a good idea to lie down and rest while you do this. The fragrance of rose brings about a feeling of well being. Grated potatoes or potato juice, applied around the eyes, helps reduce puffiness. So do tea bags. Steep them in hot water, allow to cool and then use them as eye pads.
In urban air with high air pollution levels, respiratory ailments get aggravated. So building up the immunity with a nutritious and balanced diet helps. Eat citrus fruits and seasonal vegetables. Drink plenty of water to keep body hydrated. You can 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 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 known to give warmth to the body and helps give relief to cold and cough. Honey contains less calories than sugar. However, if you have diabetes or any other disease, you should consult your doctor before taking honey.
In these days of high pollution and fevers, it is best to observe hygiene. Wash your hands and use a hand sanitiser. And last but certainly not the least… have a positive attitude. It goes a long way to make you feel better and look better. Indeed, looking good makes you feel much better!