Managing Holiday Stress: 7 Ayurvedic Practices to Stay Calm

The holidays can be a magical time, but they often bring stress. From managing holiday stress caused by travel and family gatherings to finding moments of calm in packed schedules, it’s easy to feel ungrounded. Ayurveda offers simple remedies to help you stay balanced and centered during the season. Here are 7 Ayurvedic stress relief tips to help you stay calm and enjoy the holidays...

1. Managing Holiday Stress with Restful Sleep

Good sleep is essential for managing holiday stress and setting the tone for a calm, productive day. Ayurveda recommends creating a consistent nighttime routine to prepare your body and mind for deep, restorative rest.

• Shut down screens two hours before bed to minimize overstimulation.
• Enjoy a soothing cup of passionflower tea or warm milk with a pinch of nutmeg to relax.
• Try a calming foot massage with raw sesame oil before bed to ground the nervous system.

With these simple practices, you can wake up feeling refreshed and ready to take on the day.

2. Ayurvedic Stress Relief Tip: Maintain a Daily Routine (Dinacharya)

Sticking to a routine can anchor your body and mind amidst holiday chaos. Ayurveda emphasizes regular habits to reduce stress and balance Vata energy.

• Wake up and go to bed at the same time each day.
• Start your morning with a glass of warm water to support digestion.
• Incorporate gentle yoga and breathwork, such as 3 deep breaths or alternate nostril breathing (Nadi Shodhana), into your routine. These practices don't need to take hours, even 10 minutes can make a difference.
• Return to breathwork throughout the day for quick resets.
• Follow the nighttime routine suggested above.

These small but powerful habits create a sense of stability and calm during busy times.

3. Holiday Self-Care Ayurveda: Nourish with Oils

Oils are deeply nourishing and grounding, for your skin, your nervous system as well as your digestion.

• Practice Abhyanga, a self-massage with warm sesame or coconut oil, to calm the nervous system and hydrate your skin during colder months. If you can’t do this every day, aim to do it a few times per week.
• Incorporate healthy fats like ghee or coconut oil into your cooking to ward off the dryness of winter. This supports digestion, tranquility and sustained energy.

These simple Ayurvedic remedies bring a sense of balance and care.

4. Holiday Self-Care Ayurveda: Nourishing with Grounding Foods

Warm, grounding foods help balance holiday stress while supporting digestion.

• Incorporate root vegetables like sweet potatoes, carrots, and parsnips.
• Add whole grains such as rice, quinoa, and oats.
• Use warming spices like cinnamon, ginger, and cumin to enhance digestion.

For a simple healthy recipes, download my recipe book. Experiment with the Vata recipes for this time of year.

5. Balance the Nervous System with Breathwork

Breathing techniques are quick and effective tools for calming the mind and reducing stress.

• Practice deep belly breaths to center yourself.
• Use 3-part yogic breathing to invite full-body relaxation.
• Try Nadi Shodhana (alternate nostril breathing) to balance your energy and focus.

You don't have to do all of them. Choose whichever one works best for you. Set aside 5-15 minutes to practice first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. Revisit throughout the day as needed. Long term, consistent practice is what brings the most powerful results.

6. Avoid Overstimulation with Caffeine

Caffeine can increase stress by overstimulating the adrenals. Ayurveda suggests replacing caffeine with herbal alternatives that provide calm and sustainable energy.

• Try teas made with ashwagandha, shatavari, or licorice, which replenish your energy reserves instead of depleting them.
• Enjoy warm drinks like golden milk or spiced herbal teas for an afternoon pick-me-up.

Replacing caffeine with nourishing alternatives can support your energy levels and keep you calm. Find a yummy herbal chai recipe in my recipe book.

7. Ayurvedic Remedies for Stress: Herbal Teas and Adaptogens

Ayurvedic remedies for stress include calming herbal teas and adaptogenic herbs that work with your body’s natural rhythms.

• Passionflower: A natural relaxant that promotes better sleep.
• Ashwagandha: Reduces stress and supports adrenal health.
• Shatavari: Balances hormones and nurtures energy reserves.
• Licorice: Soothes digestion and calms the nervous system.

Enjoy these herbs as teas or incorporate them into your routine for sustained calm and balance. Be sure to check with your healthcare practitioner before incorporating new herbs.

Managing holiday stress doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By incorporating these Ayurvedic stress relief tips into your routine—like prioritizing sleep, nourishing your body, and trying herbal remedies—you can navigate the season with calm and balance.

Ready to Dive Deeper into Ayurveda?

If you’re ready to take control of stress and overwhelm, our 8-Week Program is the perfect next step. This program provides you with the tools you need to alleviate stress and guides you through a step-by-step process to implement Ayurvedic practices—no matter how busy your schedule is. From now until Dec 15, 2024 use the code GIVE to get $50 off the 8-Week Program.

We offer Ayurvedic treatment in New Jersey and online. Kimberly, our Ayurvedic practitioner, will work closely with you to develop a personalized Ayurvedic health plan tailored to your unique goals. Whether you’re focusing on digestion, energy, or stress relief, this plan will provide the clarity and direction you need.
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