Holidays
can be a stressful time of year for many people. Additional
things to do in a given time can mean that aspects of the
daily diet and routine that are crucial for good health
sometimes take a back seat. Yet it is a time of year when
it is important to stay balanced in both mind and body.
Here in the United States, temperatures are quite low almost
everywhere, and colds, the flu and various other kinds of
bugs and viruses abound. Crowded malls, traffic jams and
delays, and a general air of impatience characterize urban
environments. It is a time of year when loneliness and other
emotional imbalances can disturb one's equanimity more than
at other times of the year.
Here
are some suggestions for a smooth and healthy holiday season
from Maharishi Ayurveda:
One
of the main reasons people tend to get colds and the flu
easily during this time of the year is because the digestive
power or agni can be weakened by cold temperatures. Weakened
agni leads to undigested food or ama in the physiology,
which then weakens the immune system and creates a fertile
environment for viruses and bacteria to attack. By paying
extra attention to keeping the agni strong, it is possible
to reduce or avoid the accumulation of toxins, and thereby
avoid illness the entire season or throw off any bugs more
easily and quickly.
Wear
clothing appropriate to the environment and avoid extreme
temperatures. Make sure to cover your head with a wool cap
if you go outside when it is cold or windy. Keeping your
head covered and protected helps to keep Vata, which tends
to go out of balance during the winter, in balance.
Planning
ahead of time, shopping during the week instead of on the
more crowded weekends, shopping mail-order or on the internet
well in advance, and distributing holiday tasks among all
members of the family can help avoid holiday frenzy. Frenetic
rushing from one activity to another, so common in our society,
is one of the main factors that destroy ojas, the finest
by-product of digestion that sustains life itself, and is
responsible for bliss, vitality, and immunity. Take the
time to be with friends and family in a pleasant, relaxed
environment. Avoid taking on too many activities and projects-choose
just a few that you think are most important, and let go
of others. Find the time to practice the TM® program
twice a day to keep your sense of balance. Make sure you
set aside time for meals, your daily massage and some exercise.
Go to bed before 10 p.m. and wake up early each day.
Dietary
Tips for the Holiday Season:
-
Avoid
eating heavy meals in the evening when agni is naturally
weaker. Try to plan your holiday dinner for lunch or the
late afternoon, and stick to light nutritious foods such
as vegetable soups in the evening.
-
Eat
fresh ginger slices with a dab of salt and lemon juice
just before a big meal, or have some Ginger Preserve --
ginger helps stimulate the digestive fire.
-
Add
plenty of fresh ginger, cumin, coriander, fennel, and
turmeric to your traditional family recipes. Spices help
the process of digestion and add many of the six ayurvedic
tastes to each meal.
-
Avoid
cold drinks. Ice-cold beverages retard digestion.
-
Minimize
the intake of alcohol and caffeinated beverages. Drink
herbal teas or Raja's Cup instead.
-
Sip
plenty of warm water through the day to help cleanse the
body.
-
Try
to avoid eating leftovers, which are more difficult to
digest.
-
Savor
each meal. Sit down to eat, and take a few minutes to
sit quietly after the meal.
