Women the world over are prone to busy lives whether it be raising a family, pursuing a rewarding career or both! Our daily schedules are often full of so many things to do for others that we tend to carve out very little time for ourselves.
However, what is vitally important for us to recognise is that if we don’t make time for self-care we can easily burn out becoming susceptible to various illnesses, which in turn makes us less able to function. This will have ripple effects into every area of our lives from our mindset, sleep patterns and relationships etc. So how can we look after ourselves without increasing the daily pressures in life?
Here are five Ayurvedic inspired practices that you can easily do each day to help you manage your busy schedule without further compromising your own health.
Practice Abhyanga, self-massage
In Sanskrit the word “Sneha” can be translated to mean both oil and love, so the act of self-massage itself really is the gift of self-love.
We all know how difficult it can be to find time to book an appointment with our favourite massage therapist, juggling that around work and family commitments
The best way to incorporate this nourishing self-ritual into your daily schedule is to allow a little extra time before your shower or bath routine. Abhyanga is best performed with warm whole black sesame oil or an oil specific to your Prakruti (constitution or body type) or Vikruti (imbalance or ailment) and which can be easily heated in a jug of hot water while you are running the bath or getting yourself ready for a shower. Then a full body sequence could be performed for around 10-15 minutes before bathing.
The health benefits are many, but generally it encourages proper circulation, allows lymphatic drainage, detoxifies the entire body, aids digestion, calms the nervous system, promotes regular sleep patterns and brings more
If you’re not sure where to begin when it comes to self-massage, then read my Step-by-Step Guide here and soon you’ll have it stored to your self-care memory for instant recall at any time.
Practice Nasya, nasal cleansing
Nasya is the cleansing of your nasal passages and has been around for thousands of years in Ayurveda. It is considered part of one’s daily routine and has some incredible health benefits.
Although not a common practice in Western culture, it’s a very important one as it balances all the Doshas: Vata, Pitta and Kapha, provides relief from nasal dryness, cleanses excess bodily fluids that have accumulated in the nasal passages which could lead to congestion, colds and sinus problems, helps to relieve mental fatigue and migraines, stabilises the pituitary and pineal glands, balances hormonal function and can even reduce snoring, amongst other things.
Now I understand that it can seem like an unusual thing to warm medicated oil (such as Anu oil), tilt your head back and place drops into each nostril, giving your nose and face a little
If you are pregnant or menstruating, then you should not perform Nasya at this time.
Take supportive Ayurvedic herbs
Shatavari means “who possesses a hundred husbands” which does give a real sense of the strength of this herb! In
Ashwagandha means the “smell of a horse” but not literally or that would be strange! What it really indicates is that the effect of this herb will provide you with the strength, vitality and sexual energy of a horse, and it is considered the stress buster of all time! It has wonderful rejuvenating qualities as well for those who are suffering from chronic diseases, overwork, lack of sleep and nervous exhaustion. An important herb that can support you during times of stress. Again, this can be taken as you need it in tincture, tablet or powder form. It does have a strong taste though, so
Brahmi (or its close relative Gotu Kola) is the perfect brain tonic and considered the most important nervine herb in Ayurveda. Its cooling nature revitalises brain cells, removes toxins and blockages in the nervous system, maintains good brain function and helps to prevent mental illness. This herb can be taken as you need it in tincture, tablet or powder form, and since it’s a green herb, may even be okay to stir into your morning juice. If taken together, Brahmi and Ashwagandha make a great duo during times of stress.
If you suffer from any health conditions or are taking medication, then you should consult your doctor before taking any of these herbs. An Ayurvedic practitioner can prescribe these herbs for you.
Drink Golden Milk before bedtime
Golden Milk is a great healing tonic that has been used in Ayurveda for thousands of years and is sometimes referred to as a turmeric latte. The turmeric is combined with other spices such as cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, ghee, raw sugar or unheated honey and boiled up in organic unhomogenised milk to create a complete medicinal blend.
The turmeric is the star performer here with many health
It’s a great tonic to make at home and drink just before bedtime – plus there are so many easy recipes out there you can choose from, even some quick methods that require very little preparation time at all.
If you are pregnant, then you should consult your doctor before using turmeric.
Practice deep breathing and meditation
Deep breathing and meditation can really assist you at certain times of the day, especially in stressful situations. All it takes is for you to practice mindfulness and acknowledge where you are, stop and close your eyes, then inhale deeply through the nose to the count of 3, filling the lungs completely, and exhale slowly through the nose to the count of 3, repeating around 10 times or for a few minutes at least. This will help to calm the mind and nervous system which
If you have a little more time to devote to self-care, then 15 minutes to an hour a day of meditation would be incredibly beneficial. A good time to incorporate this is when you first rise, after your bathroom stop, before eating breakfast, tending to the family and starting your working day. An hour or so before bedtime works well also, but not directly before as it can be difficult to stay awake during your practice.
The health benefits of mindful deep breathing and meditation are endless, but generally they reduce stress and anxiety, aid in better concentration, allow you to foster more patience and understanding, promote creativity, encourage more self-control, inner satisfaction and a real sense of purpose, reduce the catabolic decline and is the most powerful mental and nerve tonic that you could ever practice.
As you can see, these five practices are not too time-consuming at all and will not add more pressure to your already long daily task list. All you need to do is have the items to hand and allow a few minutes here and there in your schedule each day. And once you do this, then believe it or not but space just opens up, clarity becomes palpable and beautiful lightness will no doubt ensue. It’s time to nourish yourself friends so that you can
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