Running is an integral part of the Native American Zuni tribe culture, a hallowed form of self-expression. In a ceremony called the kick stick race, the fastest runners test their spirit and stamina by running barefoot for more than 25 miles through the sage and chaparral while kicking small, sacred sticks along the course. When the runners grow tired, they stop momentarily and rub the rock on their bare feet to “remove the fatigue”. Then they continue on their way, refreshed and renewed.
If only it were that easy. I’m exhausted lately, a bone-deep weary that no amount of sleep will fix. With short, cold, gray days, there’s always a moment where I despair winter will never end. I want a magic rock to rub on my feet to restore my vigor and combat the ennui. And I know I’m not the only one.
Is the only option to mainline coffee until Easter? Ayurveda, the mind-body health system from India (known as yoga’s “Sister Science”) has some remedies to help us reinstate our oomph.
Open the Heart
To avoid that late-day slump, practice the restorative yoga pose (pictured above) when you get home from work (and before you eat dinner). Roll up a towel and lie over it, the roll beneath your shoulder blades and the arms out. This pose elevates your mood by supporting your back and opening the tight muscles of the chest. When the tissues around the heart are open, we feel more physically energized.
Open Your Eyes
Hippocrates wrote that our health was affected by how much available daylight there was during each distinct season. Clearly, he was on to something, as science has shown many times over a strong correlation between daytime light exposure and vitality. We know that people who work third shift tend to be struggle with weight gain, digestive issues, insomnia and depression far more than those of us working first shift. When it’s still too cold to actually be outside for long periods of time, move your desk closer to a window at work if you can or ditch the sunglasses as you venture out at lunch.
Take a Deep Breath
Ever wondered why a baby can make so much noise when it cries despite being such a small human? It’s because babies naturally use “belly breathing”, which utilizes every part of their lungs. Watch a dog, cat or baby breathe and notice how their whole bodies expand and contract. Adults tend to breath more shallowly, using mainly the upper part of the chest. There are more capillaries in the lower part of our lungs than the upper, so when you breathe high in the chest, your heart and lungs have to work harder to get oxygen to the rest of the body. Allowing the belly to move naturally as you breathe will slow the heart rate and relax the nervous system but improve your mental focus and clarity. Try 10-20 deep breaths (maybe as you lie over that towel)?
Drink the Fat!
Remember the episode of Friends where Ross offers to drink the cup of fat on the counter as an apology to Rachel? If only he had known how good it was for him! Our bodies need macronutrients (fats, protein and carbohydrates) to work well. Since our brain is comprised of about 60% fat, eating good fat is biomechanically our best form of energy. Ghee, or clarified butter, is a staple of Ayurvedic medicine and has been used in India for centuries to heal the gut, strengthen the immune system, grow strong hair, hydrate skin and keep energy levels stable. All you need is a teaspoon in your coffee to give you lasting energy all morning. Bioflavonoids in coffee intensify neural firing in the brain, improving our focus and recall. The ghee slows the absorption of the caffeine to sustain our energy for hours, balance hormones, and boost cognitive function. Don’t have ghee lying around? Use high-quality grass-fed butter (like Kerrygold) instead.
Take a Sip
Water exists in the body as plasma, cytoplasm, serum, saliva, mucous, cerebrospinal fluid, urine and sweat. Without it, our cells cannot survive. If we’re dehydrated, we just don’t feel well. Many times we think we are tired or hungry when we are simply parched. It’s easy to get dry this time of year! Yoga’s Sister Science suggests we drink at least half of our body weight in ounces of water each day, with an extra glass or two during the dehydrating winter months. The water should be room temperature or warm for better absorption and to help aid in digestion.
Try these tips to embrace the season. Unless you have a magic rock to rub on your feet.
