Happy Holidays!

Is that a true statement for you? This time of year can bring joy and happiness but sometimes stress as well.
This is my reminder to you to take care of yourself as much as possible over the next month (always would be great, too).  We do so much as women to make the holidays special for others that we sometimes forget to treat ourselves well. Try to use a few of these ideas to make your holiday a little more enjoyable.

1.  Listen to your body.  Which brings us to numbers 2, 3, 4 and 5.

2.  If you are tired, rest.  Try to get to bed by 10 or 10:30 each night (as I write this at 11:46 pm).  If you follow your body’s natural rhythm you will feel better and stay healthier. (I will try if you will.) If you can’t get to bed on time try to take a 20 minute nap during the day.

3.  If you are hungry, eat.  Try to eat nourishing foods that you love. When we get busy we sometimes forget to eat, which let’s face it, does no one any good.  It makes you feel lousy. Try to keep some good snacks like nuts, fruit or granola bars with you for those busy, all day shopping events. (or 3a. Do your shopping online in your bathrobe where you can eat as often as you want.)

4.  If you are thirsty, drink.  Actually, you should drink long before you get thirsty.  Feeling tired can sometimes come with not being hydrated. Keep a reusable water bottle with you whenever you go out. Even better along with your healthy snacks.

5.  Breathe. It sounds silly, but when we get tense we forget to breathe properly. By properly, I mean fully. Let your breath fill your belly, lungs and upper chest.  No holding those tummies in, ladies!

6.  Schedule time to do what you love, even for 15 minutes a day.  Don’t feel guilty about reading, running, or chatting with a friend. Which brings me to …

7.  Spend time with or talk to a good friend. One who really makes you feel good and brightens your day. That friendship is a blessing.

8.  Stretch yourself. Use those stretches you learned in yoga class, aerobics class or high school gym class. Stretch for a few minutes in the morning or at night, or when you are feeling stressed. It will help you leave behind the chatter in your head and become present in your body.

9.  Take a bath. Add ½ cup of salt, ½ cup of baking soda and a few drops of essential oil such as lavender to your bath water and soak your worries away. Just remember to lock the door to keep stragglers out.

10.  Now you know I have to say get a massage here.  How could I not? Massage will help rid you of your shopping and decorating aches and pains and bring you to a peaceful and grounded state.  I will be going for my massage next week. And maybe the week after that, and the week after that…

I wish for you a happy, healthy and joyous holiday!  For more ideas to help you maintain balance and wellness take a look at Five Easy Ways to Improve Your Health and Five Minutes to Care for Yourself.

When choosing what types of oils to use for massage or skin care it is helpful to know which doshas are dominant for you.  The following is a very brief description of each dosha.  If you would like more help in deciding which dosha(s) best describe you then visit here.

Vata- A vata person is creative, artistic, talkative and likes new adventures and projects.  They like to be on the go and perform activities quickly. They usually grasp information rapidly but can be quick to forget. They tend to be thin, have a variable appetite and have more extreme features. Their skin tends to be thin, cold and dry.  Vatas may have difficulty sleeping or staying asleep. When vatas are out of balance they will tend toward worry and anxiety.

Pitta- A person with pitta qualities is fiery and determined.  They like to get things done. They like things to be well thought out and exact. Their sleep is usually short and sound. Pittas tend to have excessive or strong appetite and thirst.  They have a medium build and warm, soft skin.  Pittas tend to be perfectionists. Pittas tend to be leaders and can be aggressive and perceptive. When pittas are out of balance they can be argumentative, jealous and irritable.

Kapha- A person with kapha qualities is slow, steady, calm and dependable. They tend to have a larger frame in which muscles are not too visible.  A kapha's skin will tend to be oily, cool and thick. Their appetite is slow and steady and they sleep heavily and may have difficulty waking.  Kaphas are slow to memorize but have good retention of information.  Kaphas are very loyal, devoted and stable.  Kaphas may be slow to start but they will get the job done. When out of balance, kaphas can be complacent and lethargic.

Keep in mind that most people are a combination of these types with one being more dominant.  For example, you may be a vata-pitta or a pitta-vata.  These combinations are similar except that in the first vata is more dominant and in the second pitta is more dominant. Now, according to what type you are then you might choose the following oils. These oils will tend to balance the dosha for which they are recommended. If you are a combination of doshas then pacify whichever dosha is dominant for you first with the listed oil.  You may also want to add a second oil to the formula for the less dominant dosha.  We can mix it up, people!

The best oils for vata include warm, heavy oils such as castor, olive, jojoba, almond and sesame.  The best oils for pitta include cooling oils with sweet fragrance such as ghee*(clarified butter), safflower, sunflower, coconut, pumpkin, and sesame. The best oils for kapha include light oils such as mustard, safflower, corn, sesame, and jojoba. Sesame oil is tri-doshic or balancing for all types.

So the next time you are giving yourself a good massage, belly rub (you know I’m a fan of the belly rub), or simply trying to keep itchy or dry skin at bay - keep in mind that one oil may have a better result for you than another. In Ayurveda, oil and food are medicine to help keep us healthy and in balance. If you know what your dosha is then you are better able to find the “medicines” that have the most powerful effect for you. Isn’t it spectacular when you only have to travel to your kitchen to find them?

*Recipe for making your own ghee to follow in a future post.