7 Ayurvedic Tips for Summer

7 Ayurvedic Tips for Summer

After a long, long winter and a cool spring, I think we are all ready for summer to bring on the heat! However, as the weather gets warmer, you may notice some subtle changes already taking place within you. You are not alone if you start to experience sudden breakouts or flared tempers.These are signs that you are feeling the effects of excess heat and we have a few Noble tips to help you stay cool, calm and balanced this summer.

The Ayurvedic tradition recognizes that each individual is a unique composition of elements that come together in three biological forces known as doshas. Each person's specific proportion of these forces are expressed throughout all levels of our being from emotions to skin. The three doshas are Vata (space & air), Pitta (water & fire) and Kapha (fire & earth). For those who are more of a Pitta type, the summer can be a time of imbalance. Pitta imbalance is often revealed in irritated skin in the form of heat rash or breakouts and emotionally as anger or frustration.

 Ayurveda teaches that like increases like. Pitta is characterized by heat, therefore anything that is hot will increase the proportion of this dosha. If you are experiencing any signs of Pitta excess try working a few of these practices into your daily routine:

1) Take a cool shower or bath in the morning. While most of us in the west cannot live without our steamy hot showers, those with Pitta imbalance will want to avoid this during the summer months. The cool temperature of the water will also help alleviate heat rash.

2) Avoid eating too many spicy, hot, salty and other heat inducing foods. Some include radish, raw onion, hot peppers and olives. Sour foods can also aggravate Pitta. This includes yogurt, tomatoes and vinegar. If you are experiencing extreme symptoms avoid these types of foods completely until balance is restored.

3) Eat more cold, cooling foods like broccoli, cilantro, cucumber and celery. A kale salad is also a great option.Try an icy cold, cucumber and grapefruit agua fresca. Peel and chop a cup of cucumber and juice half of a grapefruit. Blend with plenty of ice and your favorite natural sweetener (we like honey).

4) Use a facial mist or spray with cooling properties like rose and sandalwood. We love our Rose Revival Facial Mist, which is a pure hydrosol blend of rose and sandalwood. Rose extracts reduce inflammation and balances the skin and spirit. Sandalwood is cooling and grounding. Keep one in your bag to use throughout the day. Perfect product to take to the beach and pool. 

5) Yoga postures or asanas like shoulder stands and shavasana bring relief, as does walking and swimming.

6) Use oil instead of lotion on summer skin. Lotion contains high amounts of alcohol, which will further dry and aggravate your skin (and energy). Try using a pure oil that is blended with essential oils that have cooling properties. We recommend our Balancing After Shower Body Oil during the summer.

7) Know your limits. As tempting as it is to want to soak up the sun and beautiful weather as much as possible, pay attention to when your body needs a break. Feeling of irritated or exhausted is a sign that you need to head indoors and cool off. Drink or eat something cold, get your mist on and go into shavasana for a few minutes.

We would love to hear from you! Tell us if these tips have worked for you in the comments below.

If you have any questions or just want to chat wellness, send me an email at meditation@nobletherapies.com.

One of the Best Conversations I Ever Had with a Customer

I Live for This...

Having a business almost entirely online definitely has it benefits. However, one aspect that you miss is not being able to have the same level of interaction with your customers that you would in a traditional brick and mortar store. Social media is often a solution for that, but I still crave talking directly to people about what we do here at Noble Therapies and how we can help them on a daily basis. That is why I was more than thrilled to have this discussion via email with a customer about our After Shower Body Oils. Since it spanned over 5-6 separate emails, I put them together here so you can see it. I am sharing it with you because the questions she asked were questions that you probably have and what better way to answer them than with a real conversation!

 

MARIE:Thank you for the Facial Mist. It has very pleasant scent.
After learning about your company I am intrigued by the Body Oils.
Will it moisturize the skin or do I need to use moisturizer in addition to it?
And since it is oil and should be applied to skin after shower wouldn't be "greasy" (sorry I couldn't find different word) and stain clothing, bedding....

Hello!

 

I am so glad you like the mist. It is especially beneficial right now as the weather is so cold and dry. I suggest using it before you put on your moisturizer in the morning and at night. It is very hydrating and rose particularly is balancing for the skin and spirit. I do this myself, plus I keep it around for when I need a refresh in the afternoon. To use it, just hold it a few inches away from your face and spray.

About the After Shower Body Oils. I worked on these for almost a year getting them just right. They are probably my favorite out of all of my products because they made such a huge difference in my morning routine (and skin and wellbeing). The base oils I use are actually very light and absorb quickly. So they will not stain your clothes or sheets unless you use a lot.

The way they are meant to be used is when you step out of the shower, pat dry and leave your skin partially damp. Place a dime size amount in your hand at first and work your way up towards the center of your body starting from the tops of your feet. Keep adding dime sized amounts as needed, usually I use 2-3. I have a helpful article on how to give yourself a 5-minute after shower massage on my blog. The benefit of using them this way is that they mix with the water which makes it spread more evenly and it will create an emulsifying effect like a lotion (lotion is basically hydrogenated oil mixed with water, alcohol, synthetic fragrance, dyes and other chemicals) but our oils do not have any of the toxic chemicals. This will also allow you to get more uses out of your product because you will not need to use so much to get the desired effect.Once you start using these oils, I promise you will never go back to using a lotion again. There is such a difference in your skin and you get these incredible aromatherapy benefits with the blend of essential oils. It is like the difference between fast food and a healthy, gourmet meal for your body.

Please let me know if you have any other questions. I would recommend the Balancing After Shower Body Oil as it will compliment your Rose Revival mist. It is subtle and more floral with essential oils like rose, Neroli and sandalwood. So luscious!

All the best,

Amy

M:Thank you for your scientific and detailed advice! I would absolutely try your body oil. From the description on your website both sound tempting, but I'm leaning more towards the invigorating. However I will go with your recommendation and buy the Balancing first since I like the rose mist and looks like this oil might be similar to it.

Hi Marie,

You are very welcome for all the information. I feel that this is a fairly new concept of self-care to most and it takes a little more explaining. Which of course, I love to do :)

The Invigorating is a bit stronger and has more woodsy/pine notes with a jasmine finish. The Balancing is more floral, subtle and sweet. Usually people who like a stronger scent like the Invigorating and those who want more of softer scent like the Balancing. It just depends on what you like or need.

Hope you have a great weekend!

M: Hi Amy, Thank you again for your response.

Let me have for now the Balancing Body Oil. Can't wait to try it!! 

Timing is perfect too because I'm running out of the natural lotion that I'm using now.

One more question, how long does the 4oz bottle last for you? 

Oh and would you recommend to use it on kids skin? 

Hello,

The 4 oz. bottle usually lasts 1-2 months depending on how much you use. You will notice that once you start using these oils your skin stays hydrated longer and you might not need to use it every day. Maybe every other day or so. You can definitely use it on your kids! I give my little ones a mini-massage once a week :) 

I am so excited for you to experience the Balancing oil!!

M: Just a quick "update "on my experience with the Body Oil. I LOVE the balancing oil. It feels very good on the skin and is surprisingly light :) Will be in touch when I run out of it. 

Thank you :)


Love this!! I have never sold a product that I do not use myself. Every one of our products are a labor of love. That is why I can proudly stand behind all of them, knowing they will make a difference in your life. To take a closer look at our Amrit After Shower Body Oils click here. If you have any questions please email me anytime at meditation@nobletherapies.com. I love talking about Noble and wellness in general. I am here to help!

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#GoBeyondBeauty
@NobleTherapies

Winter Wellness Guide

   Winter can be mysterious, wonder-filled and difficult. Barren landscapes hide brilliant transformations taking place in nature. We are brought indoors and closer together. While the holidays provide a colorful, celebratory background, it is also a time of stress. The cold temperatures, dryness and lack of light make us prone to imbalances. Cold and flu season abounds and you might not feel motivated to get up and make the best of your day or even get up at all.

Noble Therapies is based in Chicago so we know the old man winter pretty well. He is like that person you know who is so blunt and harsh, you are not sure whether to be angry or laugh. However, once you get past the abruptness you discover sincerity, warmth and deep introspection. Learning how to adjust your body and routine to winter can dramatically change your experience.

Keeping your immunity and spirit up during this time is extremely important for turning winters negatives into positives. With a few Noble tips you can embrace the unique beauty and dynamics of the season instead of staying under the covers waiting for spring.

Staying warm

This seems like common sense right? Maybe you are like me and have barely gotten through many winters in thin (yet fashionable) jackets, no proper hat and rarely using gloves. This year we upgraded our jackets and stocked up on fluffy accessories. If you are the fence about splurging on new winter strength gear- do it. You will be sick less and be able to spend more time outside.

Change your diet

Winter is characterized by a cold and dry climate. According to the science of Ayurveda, eating foods of the same nature (i.e. cold salads and processed foods) will cause an imbalance. This is the time to go for warming soups and stews, steamed or roasted vegetables and a variety of spices (ginger, turmeric, cinnamon). Bulky and warm food will leave you feeling nourished and energized. Our digestive systems can also tolerate more butter and healthy oils at this time (winter bonus). You can also add more dark leafy greens and citrus fruits for immune support.

 

           Massage

Daily self-massage will not only increase your circulation, balance your nervous system and detox your lymphatic system it also does wonders for your dry winter skin. Grab your favorite body oil (we recommend our line of Amrit After Shower Body Oils) and check out our blog post for instructions for a 5-minute after shower body massage.

Move your body

Exercise will increase your circulation and boost your immunity and your mood. It is not easy to get motivated when its 17 degrees outside. If you are not into structured fitness, find fun ways to get moving indoors. Put on your favorite music and dance around the house for 20 minutes, bounce on a mini-trampoline or check out a yoga video online (we love Ashely Turner, Shiva Rea and Elena Brower). If it is not too cold, bundle up in that new winter coat and take a brief walk outside. A little movement will go a long way.

Meditation

There are less distractions and temptations pulling us outside so use this time to reflect and go within. Spend a few minutes (or more) each day sitting in silence and meditating. There are a ton of science-backed benefits to meditating ranging from relief from stress and anxiety, increasing focus and boosting immunity. For more information and a free guided meditation click here.

 

How do you get through the cold, dark days of winter? If you have anything to add to our list leave a comment below or email me directly at meditation@nobletherapies.com.

5 Minute After Shower Body Massage

Abhyanga (massage) has been a part of the Ayurvedic tradition for centuries. Abhyanga is not just seen as a treatment for relaxation, but as an integral part of healing therapies. It can heal and stimulate the skin, muscles, circulatory and nervous systems. Practicing abhyanga is a natural way to relieve pain and inflammation. It can also regulate the digestive system, help remove toxins from the body, increase vitality and concentration- and this is just the short list! With all of these incredible mind and body benefits, we can all use more massage in our lives. The best part is that you do not have to wait for your next spa appointment to get started. An after shower body massage is an easy way to incorporate this healing tradition into your daily routine. 

Directions:

 
Pat dry to leave skin still partially damp and sit comfortably on your towel. Taking a small amounts of oil into your palm, slowly massage your feet working your way up your legs towards the center of your body. Once you get to your abdomen, make clockwise circles around your belly-button with light pressure. Then start with your hands and move towards your shoulders. All strokes should be towards the center of your body. If you have coarse or dry hair, you can finish by using what oil is left on your hands and rubbing it into the ends of your hair.

5 Caffeine-free Ways to Fight Fatigue

With hectic schedules that leave us in a constant balancing act of work, family and other daily responsibilities, it is no wonder that we often feel tired! While it is a good thing that we are able to be and do more than ever, our health should not suffer the consequences. Coffee has become the symbolic nectar of achievement. Over worked and exhausted? Let's go grab a latte, double shot please. However, the problem with this is that is gives you a false sense of energy and can exaggerate feelings of anxiety, nervousness and depression. Drinking coffee on a regular basis can also severely damage your digestive system and create conditions for ulcers, IBS and Crohn's Disease to name a few. Want to try something different? Here is a list of easy ways to boost your energy in minutes:

Take a walk
Skip that second cup of caffeine and take a walk. A recent study has shown that exercising rather than drinking coffee or black tea is better at making us feel more alert and replenishing our energy.

Go upside down
Spend some time upside down. Doing a shoulder stand for 15 minutes is equal to 2 hours of sleep. I learned about this in Gabrielle Bernstein's book, Miracles Now, and it works! Don't worry if you cannot do the full 15 minutes, you will feel refreshed even after five.

Water therapy
Spray a fine mist of floral water on your face or wash your eyes with cold water. If you are at the office a pure floral mist is the way to go. This is one of the many reasons why I love our Rose Revival and Neroli Nirmana Facial Mists! I always have one in my bag.

Yogic Breath
Practice the Kundalini Breath of Fire, alternate nostril breathing or simply take a few deep breaths. Each of these exercises have their own unique benefits, but all will increase oxygen to the brain and increase your energy in minutes.

Green Juice
Grab a green juice or green smoothie. Chlorophyll, the pigment in plants that makes them green, helps oxygenate the blood which increases brain function and physical activity. One of my favorite smoothie recipes is blending a handful of spinach, one peeled apple, one small peeled cucumber and a half inch of fresh ginger with a half a cup of water and a few cubes of ice. Takes minutes to make and it instantly boosts your energy and mood.

These are my go-to remedies for times of exhaustion or when I need a boost of energy, but I would love to hear yours. Send a tweet over to @NobleTherapies.

Transition into Fall with Extra Self-Care

Summer is at its hottest just before it begins to transition into fall. As we begin to wind down the season, it is important to take time to recharge and refocus. Ayurveda teaches that our systems are more vulnerable during the change of seasons. Our Noble advice: soak in the last moments of the summer sun, eat a little healthier, get more rest, meditate more and take care of you!

Join Us for a Noble Fast! Tomorrow August 13th

This time of year women in Northern India and Nepal celebrate a festival called Teej. On this day, a fast (go without food) is observed from the beginning of the day until the moon comes out at night. Once the moon appears women rush outside to look at it through a sieve. While the festival is rooted in traditional Hindu lore and for the coming rainy season, this is a joyous time when women dress up in their best clothes, apply Mendhi (seen above), go see a movie together and take care of themselves. The fast is done for vitality and for the health of the family, specifically for marital bliss. Sacrificing superficial pleasures for greater purposes is viewed as way to increase ones positive karma.

My Mother-in-Law celebrates this holiday every year and two years ago, I joined her. This was the first time I fasted. It was a very difficult day! I was already eating pretty healthy and was of average weight. However, I became aware that while I did not fit the morbidly obese, televised version of a food addict, I in fact was. This single experience forever changed my relationship to food. Since that day, I have:

1) Decreased my portion sizes significantly after learning that I do not need that much food to feel full and energized.

2) Increased the value of the food I eat. Most of us already know that not all food is created equal. However, I started to become more conscious of how what I eat makes me feel. For example, eating a handful of chips made me feel hungrier (and thirsty because of all that salt), while eating an apple made me feel good and full enough to last me until the next meal. When you realize that certain foods are making you feel bad it is easier to not eat them. This is contrast to the pressure of not doing something because someone says its bad for you.

3) Been able to go longer periods without eating because I am okay with being a little hungry sometimes. I also can tell the difference between whether or not I feel hungry because I am bored, sad, etc.

4) New appreciation and gratitude for the food I receive. After years of literally shoveling in whatever I felt like eating, superfast so I can move on to my task, this was a profound concept! Sitting down and quietly enjoying what is on my plate is a fulfilling experience. Eating consciously and with all of your senses naturally makes you take your time, which makes you feel more full with less.

5) Able to maintain a healthy weight and a healthy budget. Once you start making these changes things start to happen. They are like little seeds. You start buying less food at the store and spending less money on going out.

It is hard to believe that all of this came from one day of not eating. While some may not buy into the spiritual aspect of things, I believe having a greater purpose looming in the background encouraged my effort. It is easier to by-pass the demands of the ego when you have something greater than yourself to look up to. Not to mention, how having millions of other women joining in and making a celebration out of it helps!

In true American spirit, I have co-opted this holiday as a chance to offer everyone the chance to increase vitality and raise consciousness. Men are welcome too! Are you in? Join me tomorrow (Wednesday August 13th) on Facebook & Twitter, for Noble Therapies' very own Teej-like celebration! #NobleFast

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