According to Ayurveda, there are some simple practices to manage holiday stress, keep healthy, and not gain the extra holiday pounds.
To start with, I start and end my day the same. These practices have helped me stay healthy and fight off illnesses. In the morning, I sip on hot lemon water, scrape my tongue, move my body, practice breathing techniques, and meditate. I make sure that I eat a clean diet during the day, eat at appropriate times, and in bed before 10:00 pm.
I also work full-time as a Yoga Therapist, Ayurvedic Practitioner, and Lifestyle and Wellness Coach. I support women on their journies through the seasons of life fertility, menstrual imbalances, menopause, aging gracefully, and stress reduction. I teach the same practices to them, so I practice what I preach.
I also understand lifestyle changes and creating a routine can appear complicated, confusing, and even uncomfortable. Plus, where will you find the time? I have struggled with the same struggles, distractions, and excuses most of my life. We make time for what is important.
What does this have to do with the holidays? Many of us will be staying up past 10:00 pm more often, maybe eating food that we ordinarily don’t eat at times of the day we usually are not eating, and having a beverage or two. These changes in our routine can cause digestive issues, lower immunity, and decrease our abilities to deal with stress.
Here are some tips to stay healthy this holiday season!
Eat early. Ayurveda teaches that the noon meal should be the biggest meal of the day. Our digestive fire high noon, not in the evenings when most events happen. If you are hosting, consider making it a brunch or late-afternoon meal. Your guests may appreciate a change in the schedule and enjoy having the evening to themselves. Eat your heavier foods first, followed by lighter foods.
Ginger for immunity and GI health! If you wake up in the morning and don’t feel hungry, get your body functions moving with ginger tea. Sip on it all day; add a little honey if needed. Ginger tea is warming, aids digestion, and burns off toxicity. My handcrafted Ru-tea, Better Belly.
Keep moving. We are often guilty of overscheduling, overworking, and exhausted during the holiday season. Continuing your practice yoga, walking, running, breathing will help support your calm, stable energy, aid in digestion, and the patience to handle your schedule and “challenging” relatives.
Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. I would recommend hot sips. Have a thermos of hot water with you and sip on it throughout the day. Sipping throughout the day will ensure that you are hydrated and also support your digestion and lymphatic system (immunity and detoxification).
Curb cravings and help digestion. Premaking this ginger pre-meal mixture can help with digestion and cravings. I often make a more substantial amount to have on hand when needed. It will last for a week.
Ingredients
- 1-inch fresh ginger, peeled and diced, or if you can, juice
- 1 teaspoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice
- ¼ teaspoon of Himalayan pink salt or rock salt
- Pinch of turmeric
- Pinch of black pepper
- ½ teaspoon of honey
Steps
- Put all the ingredients in a small glass jar and mix well. I have also put all ingredients in a blender or processer when I make a larger portion.
- Take a teaspoon full before a meal to help with digestion. You may also make a tea from it, mixing the ingredients in warm water.
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