Maintaining Balance During The Holidays

The holidays are a joyful time of sharing and feasting, but they can also bring a lot of stress. With endless to-do lists, shopping, dinner parties, food preparations, and events, such a wonderful time can quickly become a physical, mental, and emotional burden and loses its essence, which is giving and sharing. Instead of focusing on the vicious cycle of indulgence and guilt, such occasions can be an opportunity to be conscious, grateful, and free from the shame we feel for what we have on our plates.

The Upanishads describe happiness, or Sukha, as the state where the five senses are aligned. Lack of happiness, or Dukha, on the other hand, is the state where the senses are not aligned. This misalignment is what we experience as stress. Stressors trigger Vata Dosha, which governs the mind and nervous system and can cause it to go out of balance. Symptoms of an imbalanced Vata include anxiety, sleeplessness, overthinking, overeating or undereating, constipation, bloating, and more. The Sanskrit word for ‘health’ is Swasthya, the state where ‘Swa’ (the self) is ‘Stha’ (centered). In other words, health is synonymous with being centered and at peace, both in the body and mind. Here are 5 Ayurvedic tips to help you manage stress and stressful eating and maintain balance during the holidays.

Sufficient Sleep

Sleep is important. Make sure you sleep enough at night, rest a while longer in the morning if you go to bed late, but try to avoid napping in the middle of the day.

Proper Movement

Follow or modify your regular exercise routine, but don’t give it up during the holidays. Go for a walk, jog, do a few rounds of Surya Namaskar, or 20-45 minutes of bodyweight excesses if the GYM is closed. This will help you digest food better, clear up the mind, and leave you feeling fresh.

Adequate Eating

When it comes to food, please keep it simple. Eat when hungry, stop when full but not stuffed, don’t snack between meals, avoid food if not hungry, and enjoy the foods you like in small amounts without feeling guilty.

Conscious Drinking

Ensure to drink enough warm water and liquids throughout the day, drink less while and after eating, and avoid ice-cold fluids. If alcohol is your thing, enjoy a couple of glasses of wine but make sure to hydrate well in between.

Mindful Connection

Enjoy being social and connecting with family and friends, but don’t feel obligated to be around them all the time if you start to feel drained. Take some time to recharge your energy and be aware of your needs.

Other helpful practices that help keep your nervous system balanced include staying warm, Abhyanga (self-massage), low caffeine intake, getting fresh air, meditation, and Pranayam (breathing).