The following practices are for you, if you’ve recently done and been working hard on your detox and you want to be sure that the effects of all that effort last. Or you can also set yourself up for your next seasonal detox, primed, and ready to release toxins on a deeper level.
If you have never heard of Ayurveda, here’s what’s important to know about it: Ayurveda translates to ‘knowledge of life’ or ‘science of life’. Ayurveda is to India what Traditional Chinese Medicine is to China. Ayurveda is about living in communion with the shifts of the seasons and the rhythms of the sun and moon throughout the day. It is an ancient practice that both supports wellness and recovers health. The principles are universal and can be practiced by anyone with a desire to feel more connected to their health and wellbeing.
When you’re involved in a seasonal detox, you begin to practice one of the Ayurvedic principles, so adding these 3 simple daily ayurvedic practices will increase your body’s ability to withstand the stress of daily life and the toxins you can not help but be affected by.
If you haven’t already, begin to add these 3 practices into your routine. Do them sequentially and stay with it.
Banish Bad Breath – Upon rising, eliminate, brush your teeth and scrape your tongue. Did you know that you will remove more sticky plaque from your mouth with a metal tongue scraper than you will by brushing your teeth? Do this before you put anything into your belly. Check the benefits and how to in this video:
Rinse Your Belly – By now, you have an understanding that a clean digestive system works so much more efficiently and uses less energy than a clogged up, gummy one. To keep your system clean and start with a clean stomach, drink around 500 ml (16 – 20 ounces) of warm water first thing. This has three primary effects for your body.
- Number One – Okay, actually it’s about ‘number two’. It is especially helpful to promote movement and train the body so that will eliminate through the bowel more easily. Do you have to add lemon? No. Will it hurt to add lemon? No. Just make the water body temperature and you will get the greatest benefit.
- Number Two – Clean, pure, warm, body temperature water first thing in the morning will help to clear out any leftovers in the stomach. This way yesterday’s food that may not have fully digested will not mix with today’s undigested food, kind of like getting a new plate for your breakfast instead of using the dirty one from last night’s dinner.
- Number Three – It hydrates you! Your body wakes up dehydrated. It’s been starved for water for at least 8 hours. Because optimally, your body is about 70% water when you start your day with all your internal electrical systems flowing, you will think better. Which means you will make better food choices. Better food choices now mean that your next seasonal detox will release a little more deeply.
Oil Up – The daily practice of Abhyanga is a hot oil self-massage that is also one of the common ones of ayurvedic practices. This one practice will nourish your skin and body on a level that is superior to any other skin treatment. Remember, your skin is your largest organ. Once you start the habit, you’ll find it doesn’t take long to add it to your daily morning routine.
How to Abhyanga 101
- Warm your oil to body temperature.
- Pour a small amount into your hand and add oil as you need it.
- Massage into hands. Then begin with the neck, working your way down towards your feet, because this is a grounding massage. Long strokes on the bones and circular strokes on the joints. Until you reach the feet.
- When done, get into a hot shower and let the hot water rinse over you. The hot water will open your pores and press the oil into the skin. This is not only nourishing but protective. If you want to use soap, use it on your pits and privates. There is enough chlorine and other detergents in the water to ‘clean’ you.
- Dry off as you normally would.
These ayurvedic practices are so simple, easy, and actually elegant ways of taking care of your body that will promote daily detox in a toxic world.
Enjoy them!
Love,
Andrea
p.s.: If you’d like to dive deeper into detoxing, curb sugar cravings, balance hormones and creating healthy habits, especially with PCOS, then please join me for my 14-day Cleanse