Ayurveda is an ancient philosophy that focuses on the healing power of achieving balance between the body, mind and spirit. With over 5,000 years of wisdom to draw on, it can be hard to know where to begin! To help, we’ve rounded up 10 tips to give you a head start in living your best Ayurvedic life!
1. Rise Early
In Ayurveda, it’s important to align your body to the natural cycles of life. Going to bed at a reasonable time and waking at sunrise will help your body stay in tune with nature, and it will give you more time in the morning to practice a healthy routine before the day’s activities start.
2. Start with a Glass of Water
While Ayurveda advocates for staying hydrated all day long, it’s especially important to start the day with a glass of water. Room-temperature water is preferred, and it will help to stimulate the kidneys and digestive system.
3. Go to the Bathroom
Seriously. All the systems in your body are connected, and according to Ayurvedic principles, one of the best ways to start your day is with a bowel movement to clear your body of toxins and encourage an active, functioning digestive system.
4. Tongue Scraping
While it may sound a little strange at first, scraping your tongue is just as important as brushing your teeth. This practice is beneficial in stimulating the digestive system and removing built-up bacteria from the mouth.
5. Self-massage
Another ancient practice, self-massage is a soothing self-care practice that helps to relax the body, reduce stress and keep the skin soft. To make the most of this practice, be sure to integrate a warm massage oil, and don’t rush. When done properly, it can help stimulate the lymphatic system and flush toxins from the body.
6. Eat a Hearty Breakfast
Ayurveda typically considers the digestive system to be most active early in the day. This means you should never skip breakfast. Try incorporating fresh fruits first thing in the morning, then wait at least half an hour before eating anything else. Your midday meal should actually be the largest meal you consume each day.
7. Exercise
While most people think of yoga when they consider Ayurvedic exercises, walking is also extremely beneficial. In conjunction with a regular yoga practice, walking after a meal helps to support digestion.
8. Meditate
Whether you have a dedicated hour to mediate, or just two minutes between meetings, taking the time to close your eyes, breathe deeply and check in with yourself is invaluable. There is no single correct way to meditate, so don’t worry if you struggle with longer meditation breaks. Start with a short practice of less than five minutes and build up as your practice evolves. Even if your practice is brief, meditation supports stress reduction, better focus and positive energy throughout the rest of your day.
9. Eat a Light Dinner
Ayurveda philosophy believes that the digestive system is most active early in the day. This means that by dinnertime, your meal should be fairly light and easy to digest. Additionally, try not to eat after 8 pm, as your body needs time to fully digest your meal before you go to sleep.
10. Go to Bed Early
Restorative yoga or a relaxing meditation practice can also help you sleep. To prepare your body to rise energised with the sun, aim to go to bed before 10 pm.
While it can be daunting to make so many changes to your routine, try starting with 1-2 of the above and add more when you feel ready. To learn more about Ayurveda and supplements to support you on your journey, check out YouVeda.
