Eight Keepable New Year Resolutions
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Most New Year Resolutions last only six weeks. That's largely because we set the bar too high and simply don't have the time or energy to do what we optimistically resolved. Here are some Ayurvedic New year resolutions that take only a few minutes a day while potentially adding years to your life.
1. Floss every day~2 min
Many Boomers did not grow up flossing and it can take a while to incorporate a new habit. Flossing doesn't only protect your teeth and gums. It also protects your heart, which is vulnerable to inflammation anywhere in your body, including your gums. So brush, floss and rinse with tea-tree oil.
2. Scrape your tongue each morning~1 min
Invest in a tongue scraper and scrape your tongue each morning to prevent bad breath and protect your teeth, gums and heart. Get tongue scraper here.
3. Daily breast massage for women, weekly prostate massage for men~2 min
Your breasts need daily attention just as your teeth do. Daily breast massage may be helpful in preventing breast cancer. Massage in circles, bottom, middle, top, outer margins. For tender breasts use coconut oil, for fibrocystic concerns use castor oil. Almond oil is also good.
Men, to help prevent prostrate concerns, massage very gently using a rubber glove or finger cot, applying castor oil to your prostate.
4. A hundred Kegels for sexual and reproductive health~5 minutes
A hundred Kegels a day supports sexual and reproductive health, helping prevent prostate troubles, premature ejaculation, prolapsesand stress incontinence. Not much time to spend for great results!
5. Ten full yogic breaths a day~5 minutes
Especially valuable for those with asthma or depression, taking ten full yogic breaths a day can help retrain us to breathe more completely. Learn full yogic breath here.
6. Pause~30 seconds
Take a moment to pause--before you get on your bike, before you turn on the ignition, before you walk through the door, before you turn on the computer....pause, do nothing, take thirty seconds of mindfulness.
7. Pray before you eat~1 minute
Praying before eating introduces a grateful and mindful space in which food will nourish you more deeply. Use Alakananda Ma's prayer or the prayer of your choice. Ma's prayer:
May the Earth be blessed that bore this food
And may they prosper who grew it!
May the hands be blessed that cooked this meal
May all grow strong who eat it!
May the hearts and wills of humankind be moved
To feed the hungry of the world
And may all come to eat the bread of life
From Wisdom's table!
8. Count your blessings
If you're reading this, you are one of the most fortunate of people. You have both eyesight and literacy. Millions don't. And you have internet access! And contact with Ayurveda and dharma. How many more gifts and blessings does this moment afford? Gratitude is a key to health, happiness and longevity.
Alakananda Ma M.B., B.S. (Lond.) is an Ayurvedic Doctor (NAMA) and graduate of a top London medical school. She is co-founder of Alandi Ayurveda Clinic and Alandi Ayurveda Gurukula in Boulder Colorado, as well as a spiritual mother, teacher, flower essence maker and storyteller. Alakananda is a well known and highly respected practitioner in the Ayurveda community both nationally and internationally.
Enliven your holistic health! Visit Alakananda Ma in Alandi Ashram’s ayurvedic clinic to support the overall rejuvenation of your body, mind, and spirit. In-person and virtual appointments available. Book now!
