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Achieving the new, using the old.
Let’s start different this year. Instead of pushing the tempo let’s slow down. Instead of stressing over goals let’s enjoy the process. Instead of questioning the uncertain future, let’s embrace the wisdom from the past.
For all the right reasons
The original purpose of medicine was not to cure but to prevent. This ambitious goal made the people more aware of the power of everyday habits and the doctors more aware of the power of their work. In ancient China, when the emperor or warlord got sick, the doctor was immediately fired in full disgrace.1 Today it might sound radical but in the world that valued prevention above all it made perfect sense. To be honest, we believe it should make perfect sense today as well. We are given one body and one life. The way we treat the first influences the quality of the second. And that’s why this year, instead of overwhelming ourselves with long list of resolutions, we’ve decided to take the slow step-by-step approach to feeling better. Based on the wisdom from ancient medicines from all over the world, we’ve created a list of selfcare tips that suits even the busiest schedule. Pick what you need and enjoy the results:
MORNING
Set your inner alarm According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the body is governed by the 24-hours organ body clock. It works with qi, the vital energy around the body and the balance between yin (nighttime energy) and yang (daytime energy). TCM breaks the body down to 12 main organs and divides them into two-hour segments, e.g. 3-5 a.m. is the lungs’ prime time and 7-9 a.m. is for the stomach.2 When the energy of a specific organ is blocked, one might experience symptoms like dehydration, moodiness, lack of concentration, trouble sleeping or anxiety. TCM practitioners advise structuring your day to take the most of your body’s natural rhythm. To synchronize easily, start by waking up around 5 a.m.3
Try tongue scraping Known as Jiwah Prakshalan, this is the perfect Ayurvedic ritual to start the day. Before you eat or drink anything, remove the toxins your mouth accumulated during the night by gently clearing the surface of the tongue using a u-shaped tool or a scraper to remove the debris and bad bacteria. This simple practice promotes detoxification, prevents bacteria build-up that can lead to bad breath and teeth infections and makes your tastebuds more sensitive by increasing taste reception!4
Have a ginseng morning shot Are you having trouble remembering your to-do list? We have something that will improve your memory! According to Hanbang, the Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM), ginseng is the key to your brain’s cognitive peak performance. It has a long medicinal history going back more than 5,000 years5 as a tool to improving learning and memory related functions. Add it to your morning turmeric/apple cider vinegar/ ginger shot and let your brain thrive.
Pamper your ears This is not the usual go-to body part when it comes to selfcare rituals, is it? And that’s why you should take care of it more often! Karna Purana is Ayurvedic practice that helps reduce certain ear imbalances, caused by too hot or too cold temperature, humidity, bacteria, overstimulation and travel.6 To protect your ears and promote its overall health place a few drops of warm oil in both ears and massage gently. You can remove the excess out with warm cloth.
MIDDAY
Eat your biggest meal of the day Ayurvedic professionals suggest making lunch your biggest meal of the day.7 At noon, your digestive fire called agni is the strongest and it will easily digest a nourishing, large meal without making you feel sluggish. Chose seasonal, local, additives-free products to make the best of it.
Breathe the stress away The unpredictability of life can be both exciting and stressful. When negative emotions kick in too hard, focus on your breath using Pranayama. In Sanskrit, prana means “vital life force”, and yama means „to gain control”.8 It’s the easiest yet very effective way of reducing stress. How to practice it? Simply find a place where you can sit comfortably. Take a steady, deep, slow breath in through both nostrils – you can count from 1 to 4-8, depending on your lungs capacity. Hold your breath for a second, then exhale slowly through both nostrils. Repeat until you feel you heart and mind slowing down.
Boost your energy with maca Adaptogens rule the wellness world. Those plant-derived substances can be beneficial at counteracting the effects of stress in the body and helping achieve and maintaining homeostasis.9 Maca, one of the most potent adaptogens, is a root vegetable used by natives of the high Peruvian Andes for centuries to boost energy, increase libido and balance hormones.10 That’s not all- it’s also rich in fiber, a large number of essential amino acids, fatty acids, and other nutrients, including vitamin C, copper, iron and calcium. If you need a boost of energy but don’t like the shaky effect of caffeine, swap double espresso for maca latte!
EVENING
Practice self-massage Winding down after an intense day can be difficult. To reach the relaxation mode faster, pamper yourself with Abhyanga.11 This traditional, Ayurvedic self-massage will help you release the physical and emotional tension and get in tune with your body. Traditionally it’s performed by using a Dosha-specific12 warm herb-infused oil but you can use any body oil that suits your skin & mood needs. Warm up a solid portion and gently rub it all over your body from the top of your head (hair included) to the bottom of your feet. Sit with the oil for 5-15 minutes if possible so that the oil can absorb and penetrate into the deeper layers of the body and enjoy a warm shower after.
Wash your eyes Ayurveda recommends cleansing the eyes once a week in order to purify, soothe and maintain its overall health. It’s a great way to wash away the fatigue caused by blue light overstimulation and help eye muscles to relax.13 You can use Ayurvedic triphala eye wash or, as alternative, pure warm water. Remove your make-up. Fill a small cup with the liquid. Bend forward and press the cup into your eye socket, with your eye closed. Then tilt your head back, allowing the water to fill the eye cavity of your closed eye. Blink and move your eyeball around to allow the liquid to soothe and replenish your entire eye. Repeat on the other side.
Wind down with herbal tea Using herbal infusions as health-promoting potions has been practiced in Poland for centuries.14 Chamomile, lavender, Valerian root or passionflower are considered having the most beneficial effect on sleep.15 If you have trouble falling asleep, make yourself a non-alcoholic night cap and feel the benefits of DEEP SLEEP the next morning.
Use our list as a guideline but remember about this year’s main rule: don’t stress over it! If you’re tired, don’t neglect your sleeping routine just because you forgot to wash your eyes. Simply pick what you need the most today and what might help you make the most of tomorrow.
Marzena Jarczak
An international model based in Paris. A researcher, copy writer and a journalist exploring for us the areas of neuroscience, brain, biohacking, living healthy life. Author of Out & About series discovering cultural life in Paris in all its aspects. A strong, wise personality with a growth mindset.
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