Ayurvedic Evening Routine To Unwind
In an Ayurvedic lifestyle, it is key to strive to be in step with the seasons and harmonize with nature. Behaviors including diet, exercise and more are shifted throughout the year to mimic our environment. Springtime is a season of birth, new beginnings, renewal, and growth — a time of refresh after the most sluggish, heavy season. As the trees are budding and flowers are blooming, so should you! Now is the perfect time to begin developing a rhythm of lightening up physically, mentally, and emotionally, and I would like to focus on a wonderful evening routine to help you achieve a more refreshed, renewed, and reconnected lifestyle for spring.
Beginning an evening routine can help to counteract the chaos of our busy daily lives. Ayurveda, an Indian healing system meaning, “the science of life,” is here to simplify our lives, not to over complicate them. Starting a routine can feel overwhelming, but it is important to remember that these tips are here to help, not hurt.
DINNER TIME
Plan to eat dinner before 7pm each nice. Eating dinner early will give your digestive system a much needed break. Our sleep can be disturbed if it’s digesting a big meal before a night of sleep. Make nourishing and easily digestible foods for dinner. Eat as much green as you can!
Utilize oils
I love rubbing oils on my body — but just your feet works as well. Utilizing sesame oil, coconut oil or whatever kind of skin-safe oil you love before bed is incredibly soothing and grounding. If you don’t have time to cover your entire body, just focus on your feet. Treating yourself to a nice foot massage before ed is a way to say, “I love me!” In Ayurveda, this is a main practice to help welcome better sleep.
The GoldEn Rule — Golden Milk!
You may have heard of golden milk, as it has recently become a very popular addition to a wellness-based daily routine. And for good reason! Golden milk is a beautifully delicious and warming beverage that can also aid in better sleep. It’s ingredients can vary, but turmeric is the main character of this drink. Turmeric is anti-inflammatory and offers a variety of different benefits for the body. I also love my golden milk to include coconut oil (or ghee is a great alternative), which helps digestion during sleep. Then, the final touch of yummy cinnamon helps stabilize blood sugar, which can help you stay asleep for longer. Click here for my favorite go-to golden milk recipe.
Stretch It Out
I enjoy practicing yoga before bed. There are so many benefits to daily yoga — some energizing, some calming, some for digestion and some in between. I love to stretch my legs up on the wall (you can do this position in your bed), or a reclined butterfly pose for relaxation before bed.
Just Breathe
And the final step in my evening routine is taking some deep belly breaths. I recommend trying 10 to 30 deep belly breaths before sleeping. It’s easy enough to do in bed and will tremendously help clear your mind. If you’re intimidated by medication, deep breathing for a few minutes is a great place to start. Place your hands on your belly and feel your breath and try to make your inhales and exhales the same length.
Ahhh, I feel more relaxed already. I hope you find great value in this routine, bringing you calmness at night so you can be your most energetic self during the daytime. Leave a comment with what you think, or if you have any unwind routine must-haves, I’d love to hear them!
Blog written by North Shore Ayurvedic Esthetician, Eve. Schedule your reservation on the Neroli app, online reservations or call 414.227.2888.
