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Simple Ayurveda Tips for A Healthier You

Ayurveda put simply means “Knowledge of Life.” It is an ancient system for living, closely connected to yoga since it originated in India and has been around for almost as long.

Ayurveda is primarily concerned with boosting our health and wellbeing by harmonizing our doshas and optimizing our digestion for increased energy. Unfamiliar with doshas or the basics of Ayurveda? Check out Ayurveda 101!

 

Here are some simple yet highly effective Ayurvedic health tips that will have the biggest impact on your wellbeing, and fast:

 

Buy the best quality food you can afford

Of course all of us would buy organic all of the time if we could, but the reality of soaring food prices means that this often blows our budget, so just buy the best you can afford.

Check out farmer’s markets where the produce is more likely to be grown locally. Consider having an organic vegetable box delivered (link to example companies here) and keep an eye out for special offers in your local supermarket.

Root vegetables, fruits, dairy, honey, and meat are all worth investing in quality. Knowing where they came from, how they were grown, and what’s inside is an important part of eating consciously.

 

Eat fruit on its own

Fruit is really good for us, but did you know it is best eaten on an empty stomach? When eaten after or as part of a meal, it stays in the stomach too long, is over-digested and becomes fermented, causing cramps and even contributing to constipation.

Eat your fruit before a meal or as a solo snack.

 

Only eat when you’re hungry
Don’t overburden your system if it’s still busy digesting your previous meal. Wait until your digestive fire is giving you feedback that it’s ready for your next meal, so you know your system is ready to receive—and handle—more food.

 

Hydrate regularly with plenty of H20
Drinking plenty of water will help to flush toxins from the body and keep us happily hydrated.

From an Ayurvedic perspective, it is recommended we drink water that is room temperature because cold drinks shock our system and dampen our digestive fire.

While sipping water throughout a meal is helpful to lubricate the digestive tract, avoid glugging lots of it at once as this has the opposite effect.

 

Season with herbs and spices
Seasoning isn’t just salt and pepper. We can add depth and flavor to our food with spices and herbs. Not only will these help our digestion, but they have healing properties too.

A little rosemary or thyme on a cheesy dish will help break down the hard to digest dairy. Turmeric soothes inflammation and gives your immune system a boost. Ginger will awaken your digestive fire.

A good book on Ayurveda to discover more about how to use herbs is: Eat-Taste-Heal: An Ayurvedic Cookbook for Modern Living or my cookbook, Nourish.

 

Dry brush your body
The skin is one of the largest organs of the body. By dry brushing in the morning or evening, you assist skin cell renewal and promote a strong immune system. Dry brushing is invigorating and helps the skin to release toxins and stress, since it has a calming affect on the nervous system too. We like this dry brush.

 

Remove mucus and grime with Neti
Not everyone is familiar or comfortable with using a Neti pot, but if you can overcome your reservations, it is well worth incorporating into your life. A Neti pot is a small pot with a slim spout. You fill it with warm salt water, which is then passed through the nostrils one at a time. The warm salt water draws mucus and impurities to it, thus cleaning the sinuses and nasal passages ensuring you can breath and think clearly. This is an especially good practice if you live in a city where pollution is high, as it will help remove the dirt and nasty stuff that could inhibit perfect health. Getting a ceramic neti pot is the healthiest option. Here is on we like.

 

There are many simple Ayurvedic practices that can be incorporated into our daily lives for better wellbeing and balance. You don’t have to introduce them all at once. Each one of these tips will have a positive and profound impact on your health. Try 1 or 2 for 40 days (the amount of time it takes to adopt a new habit) and see how you feel. Before long they will become second nature, and your body will thank you for it!

This article has been read 50K+ times. Hot damn!

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Katherine Smith

I am a yoga teacher and writer filled with wanderlust. I have a finely tuned appetite for adventure and a healthy thirst for cocktails and coffee. I am inspired by simple pleasures. I am passionate about all things wellbeing, making people happy and standing on my hands. I love shoes, feeding friends and snuggles. I host yoga retreats across the globe intended to uplift, nourish and stir the soul.

katherinesmithyoga.com

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