10 Simple Ayurveda Inspired Daily Habits for A Great New Year!

Set your intention to build a daily routine that supports your health and happiness. These tips are shaped for keeping yourself healthy throughout winter, but can be easily adjusted for year round wisdom and health. 

Read all 10 tips, and you should find that one or two truly resonates with you, and seems doable. Or you could try to commit to a good handful of them. My suggestion is to start with the first one that you feel you can really accomplish... do it for a week, or a month then see where it takes you. After a month, add another one. Maybe in 10 months you will have a whole new routine!

1. Go to bed, wake up, and eat around the same time every day. I swear by this, especially the sleeping.

2. Eat freshly cooked (or freshly prepared) meals. Keep your meals simple this season, easy to digest. I add extra ginger and cinnamon to my meals. They have a warming effect and help with digestion, mood, and energy. Also, I limit and even avoid eating salads or raw foods, as they are cooling in the body. Instead opt for yummy soups and kitchari.

3. Sip warm/hot water throughout the day. If you do only one thing this could be it. So simple and big results. Hydration is important for this season particularly. Not only is the air around you dry, but also your inner body is drying out in this season, organs, tissues. I often add Lemon or Lime. Occasionally a little honey for a treat.

4. Avoid iced beverages. This is good practice all year actually, but especially all winter and spring.

5. Move your body daily. Even for a few minutes. Here's a video to get you going.

6. Get outside for a walk. This is extra important in winter - as a few minutes walking in the sunshine can boost your Vitamin D and lift your mood - as well as help you sleep better at night. P.S. Whenever I go outside, and truth be told even when I stay inside, I cover my head, ears, and neck with cozy warmth. Keeping the windy cool qualities out of your ears and away from your neck can do wonders to help you stay warm and grounded all season.

7. Take a day of silence to rest the senses. Even once a season, for a few hours, even an hour!. Or better yet, take a day to stay in your Pajamas or a home retreat! Turn off your cell phone, computer and television. Spend time doing yoga, soak in a warm bath, journal, play music, create art, meditate, write a letter or cook.

8. Rub a few drops of sesame oil to the crown of your head and feet before bed. Or if you have time, do the whole body with a self-massage, Abyanga. This is my favorite. Worth a try if you haven't done this before!

9. Practice warming meditation, journaling, and gratitude. Gratitude journaling is one of my favorite ways to recalibrate.

10. Take time for complete renewal and self-care. Do this regularly one hour a week, or one day a month, or one weekend a season, or one week even! In fact, plan your winter melting - and spring renewal now!