Waking up to the sound of a screaming alarm clock, racing through the shower, making sure the kids get out the door on time, eating on the go, driving through angry traffic - this is how our mornings start for most of us. So it's no wonder that our stress levels are high, and stay high throughout the day.
There are many recommendations on how to calm your nerves during the day, and to make time for more meditation, but the reality is that this is simply not possible for a lot of us.
However, Ayurveda offers some excellent suggestions on how to use your evening hours to slow down, use the wisdom of your own body and soul, and to use your renewed energy to sleep better and wake up fresher. Pick some or all of the below suggestions to create an evening ritual to soothe your morning stresses away!
1. SET ASIDE SOME TIME
Set aside an hour, or at least 30 minutes each night for your wind-down ritual. Make sure you leave all your screens (phones, laptops, e-readers) outside your bedroom - artificial light from computers and electronics disrupts your body's circadian cycles. So dim your lights if you can.
2. SIP A CUP OF CALM
A cup of herbal tea before bed can really help to calm your mind and soothe your senses. Most black, green and white teas contain traces of caffeine that stimulate the mind instead of relaxing it, but our Aroma-Thera teas (https://sitarajewelry.
3. REFLECT ON THE PASSING MOMENTS
Self-reflection of the day that passed is a great way to learn the lessons each day offers, and set ourselves up well to take on the next day. Journaling, or guided meditation are especially beneficial ways to do this gentle exercise at the end of the day.
4. READ YOUR WAY TO SLEEP
Reading before bed is another easy way to take your mind off the morning's worries, and induce sleep. Pick pleasant fiction, memoirs, or contemplative literature, rather than anything that makes the mind race!
5. SCENT YOUR SOLES
Massaging your feet with scented oils is a lovely way to relax your body, and reduce your stress. Pour some of our Mystic MoonGlow Essential Oil (https://sitarajewelry.
6. JUST BREATHE
Pranayama or deep breathing is another wonderful way to deliberately reduce your anxiety levels and sleep better. Simply place your hands on your belly when you lie down, deepen your breath until you feel your abdomen rise and then let it go. Focusing on your breath helps keep the anxious thoughts away, and if you do catch your mind wandering, simply bring it back to your breath.
7. CREATE A MOMENT OF HOPE
Have something to look forward to the next day. Anticipation is known to be greater than the experience itself! If your next day is a long to-do list of meetings and mandatory tasks, scheduling something fun, like a massage or even something small like catching up with a friend, can really help take the focus away from the mundane, and encourage you to appreciate the everyday experiences.
Having an evening ritual ensures that you end your day with mindfulness, prepare you for the next day, and to encourage you to enjoy the present moment, rather than worry about future anxieties.
If you have an evening ritual, or would like to create one, comment below with your questions, thoughts or experiences - we'd love to hear them. Have a friend who'd appreciate this information? Please share!
About our Author:
Saiisha is our resident expert on Yoga, Ayurveda and Meditation: she is a certified yoga instructor and certified in meditation training, and is a soulistic life coach at www.NestInTheForest.com . She uses ancient practices that are essentially relevant for the modern woman. Feel free to ask any questions you might have about any of the topics we discuss here at Sitara Collections!
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