Simple strategies for a Sluggish-free New Year

JGomez — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 14:53:20 +0000

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.

Are You Sleeping Well?

JGomez — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 22:47:05 +0000

With the days getting shorter and the nights longer we are moving into a period of the year when we feel even more the qualities of Kapha – heaviness, slowness. Yet we want to carry on at our normal rhythm, especially during the holiday season. Did you also know that the evening is the Kapha time of the day? Having a good night’s sleep is important for your health. Let me share some reasons with you.

Having a good night’s sleep is not only important to increase your energy but also to

1. boost your immune system

2. keep the mind and body young

3. avoid chronic diseases, such as diabetes

4. keep in shape

5. to feel more at ease and satisfied with your life

But what can you do if you have problems getting a good night’s sleep?

The key to getting quality sleep lies in having good digestion. However, digesting the food you eat well is just one part. It’s also important to “digest” all the experiences you’ve savoured throughout the day. Here are some of my top nutritional tips to help you and your family get that good night’s sleep in the coming months.

1. Avoid having drinks containing caffeine – coffee, tea, coca cola – before going to bed because they are stimulants. Your body may take, for example, up to 7 hours to digest the caffeine in a cup of coffee. Observe the effect such drinks have on your body, even if you have them late afternoon.

2. Drink little alcohol (if you drink any) and drink it earlier on in the evening. It can put you to sleep but also affects the quality and quantity of your sleep.

3. Eat satisfying meals which are rich in protein but light in the evening at least 3-4 hours before going to bed. Most of my new clients who regularly eat heavy meals in the evening tell me that they feel tired when they get up in the morning. If you’re not sure what to prepare, enjoy a “taste” of my book “Plans for Dinner?”

4. Go to bed about the same time every evening, preferably before 11pm.

5. Observe your breathes for a few minutes before going to bed. Give thanks for each experience you’ve had that day, happy and not-so-happy moments. When you’re lying down comfortably, continue to observe your breathe and slow it down.

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About the author: Janet Gomez, nutritional consultant, produces the “Nutri-Jyoti News”, a free bi-monthly e-newsletter for busy professionals. Feel ready to learn how to use nutritional strategies to manage your energy levels? Then sign up for her FREE e-course “5 Nutritional Keys to Vitality in your Life” at http://www.nutrijyoti.com

Vegetarian Vitality » Sleep

Simple strategies for a Sluggish-free New Year

Are You Sleeping Well?