We are in the midst of the holiday season. Our daily rhythm is disturbed by a wonderful time of family get-togethers, amazing meals, and beautiful lights. Unfortunately, there is a downside which, for some of us, can be quite stressful and throw us off our physical and mental balance.

What can we do about it? Here are a few Ayurvedic remedies and bodywork to help you survive the holiday season with peace and balance

1. Add Ayurvedic Remedies to your Bedtime Routine

• Make sure you get enough sleep and try to stick to your regular sleeping pattern. Not getting enough sleep can increase the stress level. Ayurveda suggests the following:
  • Go to bed before 10 pm.
  • Oil the sole of your feet with warm sesame oil
  • Drink a cup of golden milk, which helps you settle your mind and body at the end of the day and invites your entire being to relax and let go of any worry which inhibits a restful night.
  • Sprinkle some lavender oil on your pillow
  • Avoid caffeine or sugary foods after 3 pm.

 

2. Plan Ahead

Another way to keep the stress level low is to plan ahead and to not plan too many things into one day. To schedule everything which has to be done well so one can enjoy each activity and the season can be joyful and blissful.

 

3. Practice Meditation or Yoga

Don’t worry. Do I have the perfect gift? Will we be on time? Can I say no if I feel completely overwhelmed? Don’t give up on your daily meditation and yoga practices. These are the right and important tools, especially on days when nothing seems to go right.

 

4. Don’t Overeat

If possible, eat your largest meal at lunch to avoid going to bed with a full stomach. While experts say that the kitchen should be closed by 7pm, this may not always be possible with our daily routines and busy schedules. However, one of our favorite ayurvedic remedies is the Digestive Tea. This tea to help keep the inner fire going, containing coriander seeds, fennel seeds, and cumin. The Digestive tea can help to improve digestion and make you feel better after a holiday meal. An alternative to the tea is simply chewing on a few fennel seeds for 10 mins.

Make your own Digestive Tea with this easy recipe:

2 cups water

1 tsp. coriander seeds

1 tsp. of fennel seeds

1 tsp. of cumin seeds

 

5. An Abhyanga Treatment for Grounding, Stress Relief and Relaxation

Abhyanga is one of the most popular ayurvedic remedies where oil is massaged onto the entire body from head to toe. It is an essential part of the daily routine to maintain optimal health. Abhyanga primarily pacifies the Vata dosha, which becomes aggravated by constant movement like walking, talking, breathing, eating and thinking.  The warm oil application will help the body to get back into a balanced state. Abhyanga helps to heal a person physically and emotionally, as the magic of touch during an Ayurvedic oil application is known to do.

Some of the main benefits of Abhyanga are :

• increased stamina
• improves vision
• promotes sleep
• freedom from the possibility of the disease due to Vata aggravation ( anxiety, nervousness, fear, loneliness, insecurity, restlessness, hyperactivity, spaciness,  muscle fatigue, stiffness, and muscle aches, cracking, popping, or pain in the bones and joints,  numbness, , receding gums, toothache, dizziness, ringing in the ears,  sensitivity to loud noises)
• lustrous and soft skin
• increased strength