Sleep: Sleep is a powerful anti-aging healer and anti-inflammatory practice that we may have undermined over the years. Stress has become almost a fashionable word synonymous with ambition and success. And with unregulated stress comes in the compromise with sleep, late working hours and overthinking being powerful contributors. Get back to the basics. sleep and wake up at the same time everyday. Weekends can be more relaxed with relaxed sleep times and wake up too!!!
Probiotics and attention to the gut: Our gut is our gatekeeper, a security guard our Gardner our cook and cleaner. Confused? Well our gut does all of this. Protects us from harmful viral bacterial infections, eliminates toxin, helps us grow good and friendly bacteria, helps absorb the nutrients from the food that we eat and keeps our system functioning efficiently.
So, don’t forget your probiotics for the day. Do everything to maintain your gut flora for what doesn’t shed is as good as new growing friendly bacteria. The rules of simple, avoid processed food, don’t use too much sanitizer and floor cleaners, stress less, sleep more.
Breathing exercises: 5 minutes of long slow deep breathing patterns when you wake up and before you go to bed over a period of time will calm you down, energize your body, give you the benefit of complete oxygen exchange in your lungs, slows down your heartbeat and stabilizes blood pressure. Have one or two probiotics in the day, homemade yoghurt, beet kvass, rice Kanji kept out overnight seasoned with lemon fermented fruits and vegetables.
The concoction for the day: My power booster and hormone saviour.
Soak Tulsi leaves and a few strands of Dill overnight in water.
Next day take the following things:
-Half teaspoon ceylon cinnamon powder
-Half teaspoon shatavari powder
-Half teaspoon moringa powder
-Half teaspoon organic haldi powder
-A Pinch of pepper
-One teaspoon of crushed Ginger
Boil all the above ingredients in 300ml water for five minutes (except for haldi). Last boil, add haldi, and tulsi-dill water.
take off the flame, add half teaspoon of Amla powder, consume with 1tsp of virgin coconut oil.
Who concoction can replace good Lifestyle practices or fix unhealthy eating routines.
But the above liquid can balance out your hormones, help heal the body, help repair the gut or gastrointestinal issues, regularise insulin levels and put a cap on inflammation, so go for it and make it a practice. Even when I start soaking the Tulsi for the next day I feel better already! Never let go of your sense of humour, cry unabashedly, express completely and if you love Shahrukh Khan tell him you do!
Meal timings and water: Catch your meals at the right time, the main means at a gap of 4 to 5 hours from each other spiked with snacks in between. Like your sleep catch your meals at the same time every day. The body loves routine and habit. Your body needs water for all its life processes big and small, to move, to absorb, to fuel, to regenerate. Well, fat is the only water free tissue in the body. Need I say more??
Our practices and our habits define us. As individuals, as people. They can make or break us. Nothing comes easy. So do even health practices require effort. But practiced effort over time will become a habit and healthy habits are priceless.
-By Anupama Menon, Nutritionist and Food Coach
Disclaimer: These views are not generic in nature. What worked for the writer may not work for you. So avoid following this article blindly. Find out what works for your body.