1. Start Tongue Scraping
Tongue scraping is a fast way to remove extra particles and toxins, like the ones that cause bad breath, from the surface of your tongue. It’s done with a small, slightly rounded tool made from plastic or metal, and comes highly recommended in Ayurveda. Debris, bacteria and dead cells build up on your tongue over time. This leads to bad breath and can have a negative impact on your overall oral health! Tongue scraping improves your sense of taste and the appearance of your tongue, removes bacteria, improves overall health and reduces bad breath.
2. Fall in Love with Abhyanga
Ayurvedic self massage (abhyanga) with warmed, herbal oil is an excellent way to get in touch with your body and mind. It gives you time to check in with yourself and find areas that need special attention. Besides leaving you feeling warm, cared for and refreshed, abhyanga soothes your nervous and endocrine systems, rejuvenates your skin, tones muscles, eliminates impurities, promotes youthfulness, reduces the effects of stress, is relaxing and just feels terrific. Overall it's wonderful!
Ideally, it is best to give yourself a self-massage every day. Choose organic oil appropriate for your body type. In general, Vata-type skin tends to be dry, flaky, itchy, rough, cold and easily becomes dull, wrinkled and tired-looking. Good choices of oil for Vata skin are sesame and almond oil. Essential oils such as lavender, jasmine and frankincense calm Vata.
3. Drink Warm Cumin Tea
Cumin is a spice made from the seeds of the Cuminum cyminum plant. Many dishes use cumin, including Ayurvedic food. Its flavor has been described as earthy, nutty and warm. Cumin has also long been used in traditional medicine, such as Ayurveda. Even modern studies have confirmed some of the health benefits cumin is traditionally known for, including promoting healthy and regular digestion and reducing food-borne infections. Research has also revealed some new benefits, such as promoting weight loss and improving blood sugar control and cholesterol.
So heat up a relaxing thermos or cup of cumin tea and sip it throughout your day to experience improved digestion!
4. Start A Meditation Practice
The physical, emotional, and spiritual benefits of meditation have been well documented for thousands of years, especially by the sciences of Ayurveda and Yoga. Scientists, philosophers, spiritualists, and religious leaders have deeply analyzed and praised the power of meditation and prayer and contemplation. Some of the benefits are a deeper sense of calm, more stable emotions, improved relationships, improved health and digestion and actual scientific research has proven that meditation greatly improves the health and functioning of your brain.
5. Spend Time with Loved Ones
Finding quality time in this busy day and age is a challenge, but not impossible. There are a few ways you can set it aside for your loved one without feeling the stretch. Research has shown that family/friend time has profound benefits. Six years of research compiled by scientists at the University Of California proves that loneliness predicts death. The study focused on 1600 elderly participants. It revealed that of the seniors who died, 14% had regular visitors. In contrast, 23% had no family or friends who came by to see them. Spending time with family and/or friends builds self-esteem, creates bonds, nurtures positive behaviors, creates memories and relieves stress.
Disclaimer
All views and information shared here is only for the sharing of Ayurvedic knowledge. Please do not try or prescribe or take any of the remedies and suggestions here without talking to your regular, qualified doctor. Kottakkal Ayurveda and no other person associated with Kottakkal is responsible for unwanted side-effects or contraindications in your health.