Preparing for Change

As the seasons begin to shift, so does my personal life.  I am expecting my second child around the end of the month.  While I feel confident in my mothering skills, a second child presents a whole new set of challenges I’ve yet to experience.  And this brings worry and anxiety to my mind.

Fall is a transitional time of year.  The days grow shorter, and the weather begins to cool down.  When we’re not grounded, we open our minds and bodies to the fall winds, which in turn create a lack of focus, mental worries and insomnia.

To ground yourself during this time of year or during any lifestyle change, you should follow a daily routine.  Routines provide stability and help keep your feet on the ground.  Here are a few Ayurvedic practices I recommend adding to your daily routine.  Add one….or add them all!

Daily Routine (dinacharya)

1. Go to bed and wake at the same time every day.  Waking and going to sleep at the same time offers a great rhythm to your day.  Aim to sleep 7-8 hours a night and wake when the sun rises.
   
2. Drink a glass of warm water with optional lemon upon waking (before your cup of joe).  Warm water (warmer than room temperature) helps flush out the toxins that has accumulated from the day before.  Ayurveda recommends drinking enough water in the morning to invite a bowel movement.
   
3. Eat breakfast even if it is a small one.  Your body is ready for nourishment after a delicious night of sleep.  Give yourself plenty of time to eat preferably at home, not in the car ride to work.
   
4. Make lunch your largest meal of the day.  Your digestion is at its strongest during 12pm to 2pm.  BONUS: Sip warm water during your meal.
   
5. Eat a light dinner.  The day is ending and your body is slowing down including your digestive system.  Eat lighter to wake more refreshed and ready for the next day.
   
6. Incorporate an asana (physical) yoga practice and meditation either in the morning or evening.  Moving at least 30 minutes a day will help settle the mind and prepare / relieve the body for / from the day.  Meditation adds mental clarity and can prepare the body for sleep at the end of the day.
   

 

Practice a daily routine now for calmer, stress-free days ahead.