Daily Times

It’s that time of the year again. Saint Valentine will soon be here to pay us a visit, and we need to make sure we look ready for it.

Here are some ways to make heads turn around this Valentine’s Day.

Water – yes, this is a part of every list you would’ve read by now. But this step is just the start of your 14-day long journey. Water is the solution to glowing skin, luscious hair, and that great body you’re aiming for. Restrict from overdoing it as this can lead to loss of salts in your body. Stick to at least eight-10 glasses a day.

Proper sleep – those dark circles are not worth your beautiful face. May be it’s difficult for you to get your eight-hour long beauty sleep but sleeping for at least seven hours is essential if you want to get rid of those under eye bags.

No sweets – this is the most common of them all. Sweets will help in reducing those extra kilos and also treat pores on your skin that are commonly caused because of sweet tooth. So ditching your meetha moment is definitely worth the effort.

Get moving – a glowing skin and healthy body are by products of your physical activity. Indulge in what you enjoy the most- yoga, aerobics, dance class, jogging or simply walking. Get your adrenaline gland rushing and get going.

Fruits and vegetables – include these in 3:4 ratio. This means three colours of fruits, namely papaya, grapes and apples and four colours of veggies, namely spinach, carrots, tomatoes and onions. The best way of going about this is by making a wholesome salad of this ratio. You can also add nuts to get that extra crunch to your healthy snack.

Detox juices and teas – these have dual benefits. Not only do they eliminate toxins but they also increase your metabolism, which means more activity and getting fitter faster!

Limit coffee and tea – caffeine may help you stay awake, but at the same time leads to unhealthy skin and hair. Too much of anything is bad, so limiting your caffeine intake to only two cups a day is sufficient. Half tablespoon sugar is allowed each time as the recommended sugar intake in a day is 15 grammes.

No fried food – stick to home food. Everything can be easily prepared at home and costs less than what you buy off the shelves of that supermarket.

Meditation – meditation not only helps soothe your nerves but also regulates blood flow, which means a healthy and glowing skin. Giving yourself 30 minutes of meditation every day. It will surely help in more than one way.

Early dinner – all outings should be restricted to lunch time. Eat your dinner by 7pm. Early dinner ensures a lighter stomach, fewer digestive issues and faster weight loss.

Homemade hair spa – all you need is coconut or olive oil and a hot towel. Massage warm oil on your scalp for 10 minutes. This should be followed by wrapping your head with a steaming hot towel. This will open the scalp pores and regulate blood flow. Repeat this twice a week and get luscious and healthy hair.

Exfoliate your skin – exfoliation helps in getting rid of those dead skin cells, which harm the glow and life of your skin. Using a mild scrub is preferable as it will not leave your skin with scars or rashes. Exfoliation can be done once in a week. You can also use Multani mitti (fuller’s clay) along with rose water for supple and soft skin.

Stick to a regime – once you’re organised about your goal, everything else falls into place. Mark 14th as your destination and welcoming saint Valentine will be a smooth journey.