January is a time for new beginnings. A new year marks a time to reset, to do better, to make goals and a new year is full of opportunities and potential. It therefore makes sense that everyone sets resolutions and that those resolutions are lofty and large.
Of course, we all want to do better. To grow and become better people, establish better habits. And it’s likely no surprise that we set ourselves up for failure by setting goals that are unrealistic. We decide that in January we are going to start fresh and do any number of great things–exercise daily, eat healthy, never yell at our kids, wake up early and mediate, keep our homes clean and tidy, organize our plans and lives and goodness knows what else. And none of these goals are bad goals. They are great goals. But here’s the thing: January is a lousy time to decide change your lifestyle and establish new habits.
The Answer is in Ayurvedic Medicine
Why am I saying this? I’ve been working with a personal trainer who is also a holistic teacher in the area of Ayurvedic medicine/lifestyle. Ayurvedia seems to be becoming more popular, but when I started working with this trainer, it was new to me and made a lot of sense as Ayurveda focuses on health being maintained through balance in our mind-body along with the environmental season and our dosha–our own personal balance.
It’s always seemed to me that to be healthy and happy is not a one size fits all approach. My friend loves going to to the gym and doing cardio classes and then also goes running. The idea of being so physically active is horrifying to me because I know if I try to do as much as she does, I’ll be physically exhausted to the point of taxing myself emotionally. What’s good for her would be hugely harmful for my health. When I work out, I want it to be invigorating, but I don’t want to ache for days afterwards or to be so energized that I can’t settle to rest–which has happened to me in the past. I prefer yoga, and shorter workouts as opposed to hour long high intensity classes. And the more I learned about Ayurveda, the more I realized why I liked the things I do when it comes to my choices in activities and hobbies, and how to better maintain my overall health and wellness.
This lifestyle approach has also pointed out to me that January is really the worst time to try and hit the gym two to three times a week and eating salad everyday.
Winter is a Time for Hibernation
January is smack in the middle of winter. I mean, winter literally started on December 21, and ten days later we all decide it’s time to change our entire lives. Winter is a time when a lot of animals are hunkering down, conserving energy, and not really doing much. It’s a time for hibernation for many. And for us humans, it’s a hard season. We get less sunlight, which affects our mood but also signals our bodies to rest. Winter is a time to snuggle up in front a cozy fire and to get more rest in order to revive and restore the body.
Our bodies actually need more rest and hearty foods in winter. It’s sort of a season of hibernation although winter is not a get out of jail free when it comes to being healthy. It’s simply about choosing a more balanced approach to your new year’s resolution to get fit and healthy.
In Ayurveda, winter is considered a drying, fast moving season and therefore recommends warm, cooked foods such as stews and soups and warm drinks like warm milk and honey. It also recommends you increase your oil intake–be sure to have ghee and sesame seed oil and nuts and seeds. In essence…eat comfort foods in winter.
Which is what we really want anyway. Who wants salad on a cold winter day?
Since winter is a time to rest, be sure to get that rest by going to bed early, between 9:30 and 10pm. Also make sure that you stick to a daily schedule–get up at the same time every day, and make sure you eat and work and exercise at the same time as well to help you maintain a good balance in your routine and allow your body to get into a routine which helps with being well rested. Basically, I’m advising taking it easy a little. Don’t try and hit hard by getting up early and then going to bed late after you’ve checked all your emails and done a bunch of work you should have left at work in order to meet some goal of productivity.
Make Self Care the Goal
Self care is an important goal all year round, but in winter, you really need to make sure you are practicing good and regular self care in order to maintain the balance your body needs. Be sure to include exercise in your self care by taking walks outdoors or going to an outdoor skating ring. Including the outdoors in your exercise routine helps you get in a little extra sunlight, which is really important.
Make the time to breathe deeply throughout the day and be sure to get in five to ten minutes of mediation both in the morning after you get out of bed, and before you go to bed at night. This calms your nervous system and reduces mental stress and fatigue.
Just like you don’t want to stay up late answering emails, be sure to reduce stimulation in the evenings. Avoid screens and stimulants in the evening and especially before bed. Again, this calms the body and the mind.
How Ayurvedia has Benefitted Me
I am not an expert in this area, but I have learned a few things and wanted to share them with you. I have found I’ve felt a better since trying to live in a more balanced approach by incorporating Ayurveda into my lifestyle. Not only do I feel better, but I’m losing weight and people are noticing. Every season I change the way I eat slightly, to match both the season and my own dosha, and I feel lighter in my body and brighter in my mind. I also don’t have to limit myself in what foods I eat really, I just make sure to make them savoury with herbs and spices and good fats–all of which Ayurvedia recommends. I feel stronger and I’m able to better listen to my body’s cues about when it’s time to take a break and practice a little extra self care.
Final Thoughts
January isn’t the greatest time to take on extra tasks and workouts–but you can still set goals that are in balance with you and the season. Just try out an Ayurvedia lifestyle! There’s lots of info on the web, but you could also seek out a practitioner and work with them to really learn more and find out your own dosha as I did. It’s not a difficult lifestyle to adhere to; making a few simple changes really benefitted me. Good luck!
Have you tried Ayurvedia in your life? Let me know in the comments below.
I’ve not tried Ayurvedia before but your point about Winter being a time to hibernate resonates so strongly with me! A really interesting article, Giulia, thank you for sharing.
My pleasure Lisa!
I haven’t tried Ayurvedic medicines before,
but your point about winter being a time to hibernate really resonates with me! Such an interesting article, Giulia—thank you for sharing!