The holiday season is a time to celebrate, connect, and give. But, for many of us, it also becomes a whirlwind of to-do lists, schedules, and endless obligations that leave us overwhelmed and never done! Sound familiar?
The good news? You don’t have to choose between meeting your responsibilities and maintaining your sanity. A little planning with intention can create moments of peace and rejuvenation amidst the holiday craziness.
Even a brief pause—a deep breath, a warm cup of tea, or a restorative practice—can make a difference. Ayurvedic wisdom offers us tools to find balance, nurture our wellness, and invite more joy into our lives. With busy schedules, staying healthy becomes even more important during this season.
Below are some of my favorite Ayurvedic self-care practices to keep you grounded, present, and savoring the magic of the holidays.
Create a Daily Tea Time Ritual
A warm beverage is one of the simplest, coziest ways to slow down and savor the moment. I have always loved starting and ending my day with a mindful tea ritual—whether it’s enjoying conversation, a good book, or just leaning into my thoughts.
This warm ritual invites you to pause and “rest and digest,” and is as much about mental nourishment as it is physical. Ginger tea is perfect this time of year, warming the body and supporting digestion, while tulsi (holy basil) can calm your mind.
It’s for kids too! When my kids were young, we would do tea with stories and it was something we all look forward to.
Love tea but want to keep it simpler? Warm water with a bit of lemon is equally beneficial, freshening the breath and aiding digestion.
Try This: Brew fresh ginger tea by simmering a few slices of ginger in water for 10 minutes. Add honey or lemon if you’d like. Before your first sip, take a deep breath. Feel the warmth of the tea in your hands and savor how it nurtures you from the inside out.
Begin Your Day with Abhyanga (Self-Massage)
Mornings can be hectic, but beginning with even a short self-care ritual helps set the tone for your day. Abhyanga, an Ayurvedic self-massage using warm oil, is one of the simplest and most restorative ways to reduce stress and ground yourself. Applying sesame oil during winter nourishes the skin and calms the mind, making this practice an antidote to seasonal stress.
This ancient technique boosts circulation, detoxifies, and improves sleep quality. It’s a moment to connect with yourself and begin your day with calm and intention.
How To:
- Gently warm sesame oil.
- Use long strokes on limbs and circular motions at joints as you massage the oil into your skin.
- Take this time to focus on your body and how it feels to care for yourself, infusing your day with mindfulness.
Rebalance with an Epsom Salt Bath
Feeling tension after a long day? An Epsom salt bath can work wonders for both body and mind. The magnesium in the salts helps relax sore muscles and ease stress, while essential oils create a spa-like atmosphere for deeper relaxation.
For added serenity, use candles or turn on your favorite relaxing music. This ritual is an easy way to recharge and shake off the day’s stress.
Try This:
- Add 1–2 cups of Epsom salt to warm water.
- Mix in 2–4 drops of essential oil like lavender for calm, eucalyptus or peppermint for refreshment, or sandalwood for grounding. Blend your essential oil with a carrier oil like almond or fractionated coconut oil before dropping into the water to protect your skin.
- Sink in, close your eyes, and take a few deep breaths.
Breathe and Reset with Pranayama
When you feel anxiety creeping in, pranayama, or breath control, is a quick and effective way to reset. Alternate Nostril Breathing (Nadi Shodhana) is one technique that brings instant calm and balance, clearing the mind and restoring focus. I do this daily and it’s my personal go-to when I’m feeling overwhelmed.
How To:
- Sit comfortably. Close your right nostril with your thumb and breathe in deeply through your left nostril.
- Close your left nostril with your finger, then release your right nostril and exhale slowly.
- Switch sides and repeat for 5–10 breaths.
This simple breathing exercise can be done anywhere, creating a pocket of peace to carry you through your day.
Stay Energized with Pilates & Mindful Movement
The season’s busyness often throws exercise routines out the window, but staying active is essential for keeping your energy up and stress down. Practices like Pilates, yoga, or even a brisk walk are perfect for creating both physical and mental balance.
Pilates, in particular, focuses on posture, strength, and controlled breathing, helping release tension and keep your body resilient against stress. Even a few minutes of mindful movement can make your day brighter, more focused, and more energized. Make it a point to come to class, I promise you will be more productive once you leave.
Get Outside to Invigorate Yourself
Cocooning indoors with tea brings balance, but fresh air also brings balance. A walk, standing on your porch, or getting out on your skis will rejuvenate and ground you.
Living in McCall, Idaho, with winter so we must find something we love to do! I am always inspired by the beauty of the snow and trees during winter. As I like to say, we live in Narnia – everlasting winter. But so much beauty. Especially during the holiday season when it is all new! Get out and enjoy it. There really is magic in the quiet peace among snowy trees. Find time to soak it in!
Self-Care Creates Joy
This holiday season, remember that joy isn’t created through checking off tasks. Well, maybe just a little. Joy blooms when we care for ourselves in meaningful, intentional ways. By slowing down and embracing self-care rituals like these, you invite calm, presence, and peace into your life.
The holidays are a gift—a gift of connection to others, the season, and yourself. By nurturing your well-being, you’ll feel more balanced, and that joy will naturally ripple out to those around you. Your loved ones will thank you (probably without even knowing why!).
Here’s to finding balance, reducing stress, and savoring all the beauty of this season!
Start Your Year with Balance
Join us this January for our Daily Self-Care Rituals Workshop, where you’ll explore the ancient Ayurvedic practice of Dinacharya—creating daily routines for harmony and wellness.
This workshop will teach you practical rituals that align with natural rhythms, so you can feel more balanced, energized, and grounded in the new year. Learn how to sync your body’s routine with nature’s cycles, improve digestion and sleep, and reduce stress naturally.
Workshop Highlights:
- Design a daily routine tailored to your wellness goals.
- Discover why when you eat is just as important as what you eat.
- Learn the best times for sleeping, waking, and exercising.
- Practice simple cleansing and rejuvenation techniques.
Don’t miss this opportunity to start 2025 with practices that support your long-term health and vitality! Register today and cultivate habits for a brighter, more centered year.
