Most common health issues such as colds, sinus issues, fatigue, at this time of year are associated with the winter season. In Ayurveda this is the season of Kapha and we have a tendancy to feel sluggishness at all levels. Because of the wet, cold and heavy energy of Kapha it’s a time when many of us feel sluggish and tired.
Good nutrition is only one aspect on the path to achieving fuller health. Cleansing or a detox of the body is also important, especially if you’re feeling tired and drained. Let me share with you 3 longstanding simple strategies that I use on a regular basis to boost vitality and relieve fatigue.
Doing neti
This is a technique I do practically every morning and one which has been used for a long time by yoga practitioners, particularly to enhance deep breathing.
Benefits of doing neti
* By enhancing breathing capacity, it increases general vitality and prevents fatigue.
* It clears out blockages, for example, during a cold, asthma, thereby relieving breathing difficulties
* It cleanses the sinuses and the mucous membrane of dust and allergens, i.e. pollen.
* It regulates the nasal secretion so that the mucous membrane, important for the immune system, can move out invading particles and micro-organisms.
* It can help to give us breathing space to deal with emotional and psychological issues in our lives.
Benefits of using a neti pot when doing neti
* It is an important tool for cleansing the sinuses, increasing breathing capacity and enhancing general vitality.
* It is easy and safe to use
* It is much more pleasant to pour lukewarm than cold water into your nostrils.
* It’s ecological.
* It’s good value for money
When to use your neti pot
The best time to use it is first thing in the morning shortly after getting up.
You can also use it before going to bed to help prevent snoring and produce a deeper and more relaxing sleep.
However, you can also use it whenever you feel congested and want to breathe more easily.
Skin brushing
This second technique is another favourite of mine which I do primarily in the winter and spring. Let me explain why.
Skin brushing
* can help maintain healthy muscle tone
* stimulates the circulation and the lymphatic system, important for the immune system
* removes dead skin cells for smoother and more radiant skin
* invigorates the body through the massaging strokes of the bristles
* can be used in a cleansing programme. Excess waste moves into the solar plexus area, where the toxic fluid is drained into the intestines and excreted from the body.
What type of brush?
A brush that is good quality and made with a natural fibre. One with a long handle is great to get to those hard-to-reach areas of the back.
When?
The best time to skin brush is in the early morning, before washing and dressing, although any time is fine. For some people it’s too stimulating before bedtime. You’ll feel invigorated and refreshed each day after just five minutes’ skin brushing.
Epsom Salts Bath
This third technique is one I use regularly throughout the year. Some of the benefits include:
* it is inexpensive and easy to buy – from any chemist
* it relaxes the blood vessels and the muscles and, for ladies, it is good for period pains.
* it is a highly alkalizing mineral, so great for a detox programme
* it can help to alleviate stress
* it results in deep refreshing sleep
When?
Do this at night before going to bed. Have a relaxing bath. In morning do skin brushing to remove dead cells from the bath, then take a shower.
These techniques are simple and important first steps if you want to overcome fatigue in 2010. The important thing is to get into a rhythm. And for those of you who want to take faster steps towards fuller health I can help you with this programme.
What next? Fix a time to get the tools you need to start these techniques.
Start doing them. Feel free to post further questions or share your comments below.
