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 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.

Applying Essential Oils and Balms for Meditation & Yoga

Applying essential oils and balms to different parts of the body have specific effects. There are various applications you can use when practicing meditation or yoga. Apply warm oils or balm on the forehead to improve perception, to the top of the head to increase intelligence or to the back of the neck to calm the unconscious. Massaging into the abdomen is also useful for releasing emotions.



Shop Now: https://nobletherapies.com/MeditationBalm.html

The Science Behind Namaste

The Hindu greeting of putting both hands together in Namaste/Namaskar is commonly used as a way to show respect. According to an article published today, there is a scientific meaning behind this gesture as well. Pressure points for our eyes, ears and mind are in the fingers. Pressing them together activates these pressure points, which helps us remember the person we are greeting for a long time.