November Selfcare Tips
- Jeannine Love
- Nov 5, 2024
- 2 min read
Welcome to November! The cold, dry, windy air is with us and is characteristic of Vata dosha in Ayurveda. To counteract these qualities, we want the opposite characteristics of warm, moist, and grounded. To do so, follow some of these selfcare tips for November.
November Selfcare Tips
Diet
Include hearty whole grains, as well as seasonal fruits and vegetables. Favor sweet and earthy root vegetables like carrots, sweet potatoes, winter squashes and potatoes. Be sure
to eat healthy fats, such as olive oil, avocado, nuts, and ghee (clarified butter). Cook with the warming spices of ginger, garlic, cayenne, cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, or cloves. Meats and poultry are fine this time of year (think Thanksgiving turkey), and soft cheeses like feta and goat cheese are also good. I love the goat cheese logs rolled in cinnamon and cranberries!
Lifestyle
With the days becoming shorter and colder, you may want to stay home more often and cozy up with a loved one, a pet, or with a book. Travelling and visiting with family and friends will come later in the month when we celebrate Thanksgiving in the U.S., so for now, stay in and relax if you’d like. Did you turn back the clocks this past weekend? If so, you’re probably feeling wiped out. This time change abruptly messes with your circadian rhythm, or your internal clock that regulates your sleep-wake cycle. This is normal and should pass within a few weeks. Continue with your same bedtime each night and your body will adjust. See The Power of Sleep for tips on getting a good night's sleep.
Skin Health
You may notice your skin becoming drier because of the indoor heat, so consider using a humidifier to keep moisture in the air. Avoid overly hot baths and showers because they dry out the skin; and try Abhyanga, or simply massage warm oil into your skin after your bath to prevent your skin from drying out. Try some of these other skincare tips for the fall.
Exercise
The coldness can make your muscles stiff, so be sure to exercise. Walking, hiking, biking, dancing, tai chi, and yoga are wonderful exercises, because they’re grounding yet fluid. Also, a few rounds of Sun Salutation first thing in the morning will wake you up and get your circulation going.
Herbal Remedies
With winter right around the corner, support your immune system with any of the following herbs and supplements: Astragalus, Echinacea, Reishi Mushroom, Elderberry, Eleuthero Ginseng, Turmeric, zinc, and/or vitamin C.
To destress and support your nervous system (especially important since the holidays are coming up), try some of these herbs: Ashwagandha, Brahmi, Eleuthero Ginseng, Lavender, Lemon Balm, Holy Basil, California Poppy, Kava Kava, Shatavari, Skullcap, and/or Valerian.
Golden Milk, aka Turmeric Milk, is a warm, spiced milk that supports both the immune system and nervous system. So, if you have trouble sleeping, make a cup of Golden Milk before bed for a good night’s sleep.
Take care and enjoy the month ahead!
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