Ayurvedic Oils for Winter Blues

 
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Any one else feeling the slow creep of the winter blues? The decorations are packed away, the gifts have all been given.... According to Ayurveda, we are naturally inclined to rest and hibernation this time of year, and that is not a bad thing! We can choose slow, choose rest and take care of ourselves at the same time!

In Ayurveda, the ancient Indian medical tradition, health is a holistic balance of mind, body, and spirit, with each person having a dominant energy type, or dosha, and working with your body and energy type can help lift the lethargy of winter. We can use our oils intentionally during this time to sit in this seasonal shift without lowering our emotional energy! -Ashley Cribb

OILS FOR THE WINTER SLUMP

  • Rosemary + frankincense + peppermint + jasmine: a bracing blend for clearing energy

  • Rose + sandalwood + ylang ylang + lemon: uplifting to help ease sharp edges emotionally

  • Rosemary + ylang ylang + frankincense + lemon: for offsetting the kapha feelings

  • Geranium + ylang ylang + orange: a blend to balance energies and bring out the feminine

  • Palo Santo + jasmine + lemon + ylang ylang: a grounding oil to apply to the third eye chakra for clarity

CREATING AN APPLICATION RITUAL

"This ritual is a reminder to not hold on to destructive feelings, which can happen when there’s too much kapha.” - Goop

  • Gently rub the skin between your toes to create warmth in the area. Massage in four to five drops of your chosen oil, spending about three to five seconds between each toe.

  • With the oil still on your fingers and palms, massage the bottoms of your feet, spending thirty seconds on each one.

  • Move up to your wrists and gently massage the area with your thumb; spend ten to fifteen seconds on each wrist.

  • Next, move to the ears; use your fingers to massage the area behind your ears in circles for fifteen seconds.

  • Floating up to the forehead, massage your temples with your forefingers in circles for ten seconds.

  • Finally, cup your palms over your nose and mouth and take five deep inhales.

WINTER OILS + YOGA

"Yoga can have a profound impact on improving energy levels... Begin your day with a sun salutation to capitalize on the energy of the sun. Focus on asanas to invigorate a healthy kapha.”

Add any of the above blend to your yoga or meditation practice!

  • Choose a diffuser blend, and set it near your mat.

  • Apply oils to the crown of the head (it won't make your hair greasy if you don't rub it in, just drop it!), wrists and heart.

  • Breathe deeply, repeat a positive mantra or focus on a word or intention you want to manifest.

WINTER BLUES ROLLER

I also LOVE this 'Winter Blues' roller from Erin Smith Jones!

Add essential oils to an empty roller bottle, top off with carrier oil. Apply to pulse points, feet, back of neck and remember to breathe!

Do you have a winter selfcare ritual or a specific word you want to manifest in 2021? We would love to hear it!

 
Wellnesslesley grahamwinter, wellnessComment