10 Ayurvedic Subtle Habits that Improve your Health

 These are tips and tricks that are small, subtle changes to your day that make a huge difference in your well being.  I suggest picking one and trying it for 7 days. Only commit yourself to 5 days or 7 days at first, and see how you like it, or if it provides you any benefit.

1. Warm water in the morning when you get up.            Rehydrates the body as it uses all your hydration through the sleeping process. Adding some lemon juice is also a beneficial kick to your metabolism and alkalizes the body.

2. Tongue Scraping removes bad breath and that white film from the tongue. This white film actually hinders your taste buds, causes bad breath, and holds bacteria in your mouth. Brushing helps, but using a metal tongue scraper to really pull all of that white film off of the tongue makes a huge difference.   MasterMedi Stainless Steel Tongue Scraper  
3. Oil Pulling Keeps gums healthy and supports gut health. Sesame Oil, Ghee, or Coconut Oil, just a spoonful in your mouth, swish around for 10-20 minutes, then spit it out. **Even my dentist said he wishes more people would take the time to try it. Your mouth feels amazing afterwards. I use Coconut oil and it’s like swishing with an almond joy bar… so I enjoy the taste.    Nutiva Organic Coconut Oil
4. 10 minutes of Sunlight daily. I can not stress this enough. We NEED the sun. Your skin produces vitamins from soaking up the rays that your bones and immune system need to function properly.
5. Walking for 10-15 minutes per day is essential for releasing stress and keeping your lymphatic system moving.
   Bonus: If you walk outside, you also get your daily dose of Sunlight in #4.
6. Eating your largest meal of the Day at your Lunch. Your body will digest the food better because you are up and active, and eating smaller meals in the evening allow you body to use it’s healing processes while you sleep instead of trying to digest and process your food.
7. 10 Minutes of Mantra Chanting or Meditation brings deep calm and healing to your mind. Additionally, take this time to listen to the messages your mind is trying to convey to your Consciousness.
8. Avoid Cold and Raw foods. This helps prevent bloating and weak digestion. Cold foods require more work to digest and process, and raw foods instead of slightly steamed, take more time for your gut to break them down. So we suggest instead of eating raw veggies, try steaming them. This is especially true as we age. Our bodies change and do not intake as many nutrients, so slightly steaming your veggies will help your gut do less work to get the nutrients it needs.
9. Self-Massage with Oil. Oh I have to say, try this for one week and then decide if it is something you want to add to your daily habits. I adore self massage, and I use pure coconut oil. I do lymphatic massage and tapping while I am oiling myself up. It feels amazing, you are replenishing your natural layer of protection from the world, and your skin absorbs nutrients from it that keep it strong and healthy. I use this time to also do lymphatic drainage as your hands slide against the skin very easily. Especially around my face as I am prone to sinus issues from my seasonal allergies.
10. Sleep – Sleep is crucial to your health. This is the time that your body heals, and rests. Going to bed and getting up at the same time everyday is a wonderful habit. Your body learns the pattern and you find that at your “bedtime” you will naturally start to get sleepy once your body has established this habit. Sleep can reduces stress dramatically, helps you control your emotions better, and heals the body while you rest.