As we are approaching colder months, it is important to keep us warm and hydrated with warming foods, spices and herbal teas. Here are a few rituals I have been loving nowadays.
1. Tongue scraper- Tongue scraping is a technique where you physically clean your tongue with a slightly rounded U-shaped tool made from plastic or metal. It removes debris, bacteria, dead cells, etc., that can build up on the tongue over time. It is recommended to use a tongue scraper daily morning and night along with brushing and flossing for optimal health. It prevents bad breath, and improves the appearance of the tongue, sense of taste and digestion. It helps reduce cravings by resensitizing your taste buds, allowing you to fully taste more subtle flavors and feel satisfied by simple foods. It removes leftover food particles from the tongue.
2. Dry brushing- Dry brushing is an easy and inexpensive way to move our lymphatic fluid. It's brushing the dry body with a dry brush in small strokes moving towards the heart. It doesn’t require too much pressure because lymphatic vessels are right underneath the skin so it should be done gently and slowly. It can be done every morning before showering. It removes dead skin cells and leaves skin soft and smooth. It supports detoxification and keeps you energized throughout the day.
3. Body oil massage- Self body massage is so soothing and calming. During the massage, oil reaches the nerves and lubricates them. It improves circulation, flexibility, eliminates toxins and relieves anxiety and stress. Oil massaging promotes smooth and youthful skin and boosts immunity. Massaging oil the under feet before bed promotes deep and restful night sleep.
4. Drinking hot water- Nowadays we live in a culture where cold drinks or ice-cold water is very popular. According to Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), warm or hot water is preferred over cold water. Ayurveda & TCM explains that our stomach is fire and for optimal digestion we have to keep the fire going. Just like cold water is good to put off the physical fire, it can also diminish inner fire. Warm or hot water helps digest food. Also, once we heat the water it becomes light and easy to digest. It will not give you a bloated feeling especially after eating a big meal. Drink water only when you feel thirsty. Chugging a lot of water at once can lead to water intoxication.
5. Digestive tea- Each herbal tea has its benefits. To make digestion strong, I would like to share CCF tea AKA Digestive tea. It contains cumin, coriander and fennel seeds hence the name CCF. It balances the digestive fire improving digestion. It stokes metabolism and helps in fat burning. It detoxifies the body and purifies the blood. It can aid in weight loss and reduction of inflammation. It soothes the mind and improves mental clarity. It helps relieve gas, bloating and constipation.
6. Use of spices- Good digestion is the key to overall great health. According to Ayurveda, it is essential to keep the digestive fire strong to have good digestion. I love using spices in my day-to-day cooking. Spices help strengthen digestion, provide antioxidants, and medicinal benefits. Moreover spices add flavor to our food. A few of the spices that I use in my kitchen daily are cumin, coriander, pink Himalayan salt, turmeric, fennel, cardamom, black pepper, cinnamon, red chili peppers, ginger, basil, oregano, etc.
7. Movement- We all know movement of any kind is important for our physical and emotional well-being. Exercising at the gym for an hour is important, but moving all day is also critical. Since we are bioindividuals, it’s up to us to figure out what works for us and what doesn’t. Always try to start small and give it a priority. Even 5-10 minutes of movement for a longer period of time makes an impact. Don’t associate exercise with just 1-hour workout at the gym. Doing house chores like vacuuming, mopping, gardening, dancing, walking, yoga, etc., are all forms of exercise.
8. Affirmations & positive phrases- Affirmations are a great way to bring positivity to our life. Affirmations empower, uplift and motivate us. It’s a great way to train our mindset to feel grateful and positive about ourselves. Make a list of a few affirmations that resonate with you and recite them each morning and throughout the day.
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