New year, new me! A resolution that resonates around the globe, but one that usually proves impossible to keep. Can I let you in on a secret? It really need not be.
Ayurveda has long ago come up with a bag of seemingly routine, but magical, tips that will enable you to get the dream start to the new year, all the way to December!
Read on below to find out exactly this new year can bring about a healthier you.
What is Ayurveda?
Known as an ancient system of medicine and healing, Ayurveda is actually so much more than that. It is, in fact, a philosophy or way of life that takes its cues from nature to create a lifestyle that is both curative as well as preventative.
Ayurvedic practices are specific to each individual, and their specific dosha; so that a true balance and harmony of the body and mind are achieved.
7 Ayurvedic Practices to Kick Off the New Year
- Follow an Ayurvedic morning routine
Though many may claim to be night owls, in order to optimise your health and productivity, a daily morning routine is a given. And it all begins with an early start.
Ayurvedic principles dictate that waking up with the sun is the most natural way to start your day. This practice gives you a head start that helps you set up the rest of the day. It also allows you extra hours for a good breakfast, or a quick workout. Even the reduced rush in your morning commute and the extra hours of sunshine make a big difference in how your day progresses.
An ideal Ayurvedic morning routine could even begin with a glass of warm lemon and honey water to boost your digestion and metabolism. Simply put, an early start to your day can boost productivity, focus, energy levels, and even the quality of sleep. In this case, the early bird really does get the worm.
- Get adequate rest
The goal may be to hustle, but not at the cost of your health. Ayurveda understands the changes in energy levels and productivity, with the different seasons and even times of the day. A balance of work and rest has to be maintained to realise your infinite potential.
That is why, getting to bed at 9 or 10 each night is recommended to give your body and mind the time to recover and rejuvenate.
- Consume an Ayurvedic diet
What is an Ayurvedic diet you may ask. It is basically a customised meal plan that nourishes your Agni (digestive fire).
Your Ayurvedic diet takes into consideration your dominant doshas, metabolism, and body type. The diet encourages the consumption of nutrient-rich, whole foods; while minimising the consumption of processed foods.
In addition to the ingredients used, the cooking techniques utilised, and the herbs and spices added, are also important considerations.
- Stay hydrated
An often-overlooked aspect of our modern lives is our inherent need for water. Hydration, or lack thereof, affects every system in our body along with our energy levels, cognitive skills, and even our moods.
From our skin and bones, to our heart and kidneys, each part of the body is better for it. So, drinking sufficient water each day must be made a priority, not an option.
- Get moving
The numerous benefits of exercise and physical activity do not need to be listed out. Exercise has an enormous impact on our physical and mental health. And making it a part of your daily routine is guaranteed to make a tremendous positive change in your life.
With many new year fitness resolutions given up after the initial months (or even weeks), it is important to find one that works for you. The trick is to start small, so that you do not get overwhelmed after the very first day; but be consistent.
Low intensity workouts like swimming, walking, or yoga are ideal for any and all ages and fitness levels.
- Manage stress levels
Just as, if not more, important as physical health, is your mental wellbeing. And managing your stress levels is a core aspect of your mental health.
Stress and anxiety tend to have a debilitating effect on your physical health, moods, focus, and even immunity. Therefore, finding ways to manage your stress levels is the perfect antidote to deal with the pressures of the fast-paced world.
Meditation and pranayama (breathing techniques) have been used for thousands of years to calm the mind, and restore balance within oneself.
- Opt for herbal remedies and natural therapies
It is convenient to run to the drugstore for minor illnesses, and aches and pains. But a key aspect of Ayurveda is healing naturally.
Ayurvedic medicine focuses on a holistic approach that looks beyond the symptoms and treats the root cause of the ailment. It combines herbal remedies, therapies, and practices to heal both the mind and body.
So, for the new year, take a different path and choose natural remedies that not only heal you, but also rejuvenate and restore.
Each herb, spice, and therapy recommended by Ayurvedic practitioners is chock-full of goodness. If you have a cold, try a warm ginger tea. Back pain? Treat yourself to an abhyanga or Ayurvedic massage.
Choosing to listen to your body and healing it through these therapies allows you to not just cure your illness, but become better at preventing them altogether.
Conclusion
It is not easy, but it is doable. In fact, following these simple Ayurvedic practices ensures that you have everything you need to be a healthier, happier, and revitalised version of you. Not just for this year. But every year hereafter.
Hoping to get the best out of this year? Visit The Ayurvedic Clinic today to create a customised plan that will help make this year the start of a wonderful journey into healthy bliss.