Challenging periods can make us feel more anxious, overwhelmed or emotionally low. We each go through something different.

Everyone will have their habits to help them during tough times; these are six daily lifestyle habits that I’ve implemented from the healing wisdom of Ayurveda that helps me feel me more grounded and emotionally balanced. See what works for you and stick to it.

Wake up earlier
Waking up early is essential to preventing depression, because sleeping during the late morning, causes the shrotas, or channels of communication, to be clogged with impurities, leading to the dullness of mind and feeling low. Ayurveda recommends waking up with the Sun, but I try to at least waking up before 7 am.

Cleanse Your Bowels
Make sure you eliminate each morning. Constipation can cause headache, dullness, fatigue and depression. If your elimination is sluggish or blocked, start your day with a tablespoon of ground flaxseed with 500 ml of hot water. Take two Triphala capsules at night before bed. Drink plenty of warm water throughout the day. Eat your meals at the same time every day, preferably lunch between 12-2 pm and dinner between 6- 8 pm.

Practice Sun Salutations
Start your morning with a couple of rounds of Sun Salutations. The yogic sequence help opens up your heart chakras, release endorphins (happy hormones), move blocked emotions out of the body and clear toxins that can lead to depression.

Have A Routine
It might be not very easy to stick to a routine when you’re feeling out of it, but sticking to a routine will help. “Without a routine, we can slip into feeling like we have no purpose, and without purpose, we can easily slip into depression,” says meditation teacher Jorie Rose.

Walk Outdoors.
Walk in the Sun for 20- 30 minutes. Early mornings are perfect; the Sun is rising not too sharp. The Sun has an abundance of healing energy; it can improve our mood and stimulate our Agni (digestive fire).

Make a love list
The love list is a list of everything that makes you feel loved and happy. It’s essential to take the time to write down as many things that come to you. Then make a promise with yourself to do at least one of those things on the list every single day. Creating a love list is a beautiful way to retrain yourself to begin to enjoy life more, to do something that brings love and happiness into your life, and to acknowledge that you are worthy enough to treat yourself every single day. Your list can include things like:

• Taking a bubble bath
• Getting a massage
• Watch a funny Netflix show.

PS. Remember, this is not permanent. Its a phase and phases get over. Most of us will have more clarity about what’s truly important and be more in tune with ourselves.

Loves,

By Nomita Hathiramani

Integrative Nutrition Consultant, Founder of Coco Glo