We are aware of the religious significance of celebrating Diwali. Diwali is a celebration of the return of Ram, his wife Sita, and his brother Lakshman after defeating Ravan and returning home after an exile of fourteen years. The Diyas are lit to illuminate the path for Lord Ram and to signify the triumph of good over evil.
Diwali is also the time to worship Lakshmi the Goddess of wealth. So, along with Lakshmi, devotees make offerings to Ganesha, who symbolizes ethical beginnings and fearless remover of obstacles; Saraswati, who embodies music, literature and learning and Kuber, who symbolizes book-keeping, treasury and wealth management.
Below are the seven Psychological benefits of celebrating Diwali:
Cleaning of homes: cleaning the house, de-clutters the mind. Clutter increases stress in contrast de-cluttering is a stress releaser.
Spending money: Spending money causes happiness, and especially when buying gifts for loved one increases your joy
Spending time with loved ones: During Diwali we end up spending quality time with loved ones, whether it is your parents, children, siblings or friends and family. Thus, this results in creating a stronger emotional bond and allowing for better communication between family members and friends
Cooking Diwali Food: Cooking is a known anti-depressant, and a treatment for depression. Thus, as the family gets involved in cooking together there is bonding and happiness
Wearing new clothes: The clothes you wear and the way you groom yourself will change the way other people react to you. As you dress sharply during the Diwali season and wear new clothes on Diwali day, the positive reaction from friends, family and strangers will boost your well-being.
Gifting: When you give a gift, it makes you feel generous, it makes you feel in control, it’s good for your self-esteem and it’s good for the relationship
Praying: the psychological benefits of prayer may help reduce stress and anxiety, promote a more positive outlook, and strengthen the will to live.
Go ahead, celebrate Diwali not only for praying to Ram, Lakshmi, Ganesh, Saraswati and Kuber but also for the direct psychological benefits to you and your loved ones.
To learn more about Dr. Prerna Kohli click here
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“You can talk with a close friend or relative about what’s troubling you; but it’s not the same as professionally-trained experienced psychologist who knows exactly what kind of help you need” – Dr. Prerna Kohli.
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About Dr. Prerna Kohli
She is a 100 women Achievers Award Winner (2016) from the Honorable President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee.
Dr. Prerna Kohli is a Clinical Psychologist, a Public Speaker, a Workshop Facilitator and a Holistic Practitioner. She offers Heart-based workshops and lectures that focus on Life Balance, Self-awareness and Inner Peace. Dedicated to sharing her knowledge and compassion with others, Prerna blends intuitive wisdom with solid understanding, creating a powerful holistic approach, specializing in the areas of Emotional change.
Dr. Prerna Kohli is a leading Psychologist in India and provides families, individuals, parents and children counselling on being happy.
