Perfect sleep with rituals from Ayurveda

1)GET AN HOUR OF SUNLIGHT TODAY:

From sunrise to 11 am and from 4 pm to sunset is a great time to get yourself blasted with bright, nourishing sunlight. The Vedas are filled with praises to the Sun. Waking up and saying Namaste to the Sun is the best thing for our Serotonin levels. This champion happiness hormone is the pre-curser of the sleep hormone Melatonin.Serotonin is also made in the gut, make sure you feed yourself a wholesome diet of several deep-colored veggies, fruit, whole grains, seeds, spices, and herbs.

2)LIGHT A LAMP, A STICK OF INCENSE, AND CHANT:

As soon as you are back home, light a candle or a lamp, burn incense, and chant something simple like a mantra.

Lighting a lamp at dusk and dawn is a beautiful Vedic tradition. Incense is burnt, flowers are offered, bells are tinkled and mantras are chanted. This is a great way to reset the vibration of the space around us and to bring stability to the mind and body. The act of looking at a natural flame, smelling a calming perfume, and chanting cleanses our energy of anything negative that we may have picked up during the day.

3)MAKE YOURSELF SOME GOLDEN MILK

There are many delicious golden mixtures available from Ayurveda stores. You can create a simple one from just turmeric and nutmeg.

Boil one cup of any kind of milk you like with 3 cups of water and ½ teaspoon of turmeric and a generous pinch of nutmeg. Leave on a low flame till the water evaporates and the milk is reduced back to 1 cup.

Boiling increases digestibility. By boiling on a low flame this golden milk mixture turns into medicine and the essential compounds from Turmeric and Nutmeg are easily absorbed by the body.

Drink a small cup an hour after dinner.

4)GIVE YOURSELF A SHIRO ABHYANGAM

As you are letting the oil seep into your skin, massage your head with a teaspoon of sesame, coconut, almond, or olive oil.

Use a circular motion and gently tug at the roots. Massage behind the ears and the nape and forehead. When the ears feel warm, you have done a good job.

A Shiro Abhyangam is done with a medicated Ayurvedic oil like a Bhringaraja Tailam, Eladi Tailam, Dhurdhurapatradi Tailam, or Chemparathyadi Thailam for premature greying, hair fall, and scalp itchiness.

After fifteen minutes wash off the oils from the hair and body with a gentle body wash and shampoo.

5)MASSAGING THE SOLES OF THE FEET:

And finally, before switching off the lights, massage some grapeseed or almond oil into the soles of your feet for ten minutes. This is especially beneficial if you are a Vata-type and tend to have dry skin and joint issues.

Wipe off with a paper towel and wear socks if cold. This ritual is done on its own is potent in inducing relaxation and sleep.

Switch off the lights and tuck yourself in. Send love to whatever or whoever you hold sacred and drift away to sleep.