Kaza, Himachal Pradesh, India, 22 January 2017, 0755 hours:
Habits are a thing of wonder. Given half a chance, human beings form new habits when in new surroundings.
The 3 Glasses of Hot Water is now a habit. It’s not a gourmet treat or a compulsion. It just makes sense and the body and mind both automatically demand it moment I step out of the blankets.
The hot water serves three purposes: spreads warmth inside the body, loosens the phlegm accumulated in the throat and nasal passage, and settles the stomach. If you have room temperature water early morning, chances are very good you’ll catch a cold and cough within the day.
After morning ablutions and wash with warm water, the hot chai restores balance and by this time the cold weather is just a fact and not a factor.