Call it regressive or misogynistic, but Karva Chauth is celebrated with great pomp even to this day in India. As part of the tradition, wives observe a day-long fast that is broken only at night at the sight of the moon. The husbands feed their wives the first morsel of the day. Many women who follow the tradition every year on Karwa Chauth believe that fasting for their husband’s longevity brings them closer to their spouses. It’s seen as a beautiful gesture to cement their relationship. Of course, some men also fast alongside their wives to show their support. Why is Karwa Chauth Celebrated?

But many men and women make the grave mistake of not following the right fasting rules. As a result, they may drop out of the Karva Chauth vrat because they feel sick, dizzy or fatigued. Like any other fast, you have to follow certain rules to prepare your body for the drastic change during the fast.

1 Check For Medical Conditions

Check for underlying medical conditions with your doctors first. Certain health problems like kidney disorders, liver diseases and hypoglycaemia can pose risks if you fast. So unless you are in the clear, don’t proceed with the fast or vrat. Should You Observe Vrat? 5 People Who Shouldn’t Fast On Karwa Chauth.

2 Drink A Lot of Water Before

Before the fast, make sure you are hydrated. Drink plenty of water before you start. Not only will it prevent dehydration, but it can also curb your appetite and you ease into the fast. Gift Ideas for Husbands to Surprise Their Wives on Karwa Chauth.

3 Start Early

To get your body accustomed to the fast, in the days or weeks leading to the vrat, go for a trial run. Start by cutting down on the amount of food you eat and taper it down to the day of the fast. That way, your body won’t have trouble adjusting to food deprivation on the day of the fast. Know When Karwa Chauth Chand Will Appear in Delhi, Faridabad, Noida & Gurugram.

4 Cut Down on Caffeine

On the days leading up to the fast, cut down on caffeine, salt, sugar, alcohol and other addictive substances. Taper them off a little every day. Because if you suddenly deprive yourself of your daily cup of chai on the day of the fast, you will experience headaches, nausea and other withdrawal symptoms.

5 Exercise

Don’t forget to moderate amounts of exercise to get your lymphatic and vascular system running. Light exercises like walking, yoga, etc. can be of help in the day before the fast.

6 Get Plenty of Rest

Get enough sleep before the fast because a combination of sleep deprivation and food deprivation can be too much for your body to handle. Even on the day of the fast, make sure you don’t exert yourself too much and focus on pampering yourself.

7 Know What To Expect

Fasting is not without its inconveniences. Knowing what to expect will keep you prepared for dealing with the consequences. Expect dizziness, nausea, general fatigue and crankiness on the day of the fast. You can plan the day accordingly and not venture out if there are chances of dizzy spells or nausea.

It’s a sweet gesture to fast for your loved one, but it’s also important that you do it the right way. Disregarding the requirements of your body can have a lot of undesirable consequences and ruin the experience for both you and your better half.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 25, 2018 11:34 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).