At this time of year, 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐝𝐢𝐠𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐞 🔥(called Agni in Ayurveda) is naturally higher. Heat is kept easier inside the body whereas in the warmer months we lose a lot of this heat through perspiration.
As a result we now often 𝐝𝐢𝐠𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 and therefore also eat more heavy foods (hello stews, mashed potatoes, lasagna etc). With these foods our body creates our 𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐫 so that we stay warm and comfortable during the cold months.
Only with all the events around the holidays we often 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐧𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠. As a result, we can experience all kinds of discomforts such as a 𝐛𝐥𝐨𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐫 𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐜𝐡 and the XL version of the well-known '𝐚𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫 𝐝𝐢𝐩'.
You can see your digestive fire as a 𝐜𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐞: if you throw too many or continuous twigs (food) or water (drinks) on the fire, you extinguish the fire. In addition, space is needed for the fire to perform its burning process properly.
Ayurvedic tips to help Agni during holiday season:
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Eat Mindfully and Time Meals Well:
- Skip breakfast if you had a big evening meal and eat only when truly hungry. Aim for a big family lunch instead of dinner, as your digestive fire is strongest at midday. Minimize snacking between meals or consider a proper fast after dinner to give your digestion a break.
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Post-Meal Care:
- Rub your stomach in clockwise circles to aid digestion, then take a walk in fresh air to settle your system and "digest" both food and conversations.
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Sip on Digestive Teas:
- Drink warm ginger tea or CCF tea (cumin, coriander, fennel) throughout the day to keep your digestive fire strong.
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Warm Hydration:
- Start your day with warm water to cleanse your system and avoid cold or carbonated drinks, especially during meals, to prevent bloating and sluggish digestion.
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Balance Excess:
- After heavy drinking, a small glass of aloe vera juice can cool and detoxify. After meals, a herbal digestif like schnapps can help fuel your digestive fire.
- After heavy drinking, a small glass of aloe vera juice can cool and detoxify. After meals, a herbal digestif like schnapps can help fuel your digestive fire.
Happy Holidays!