By Dr. Deepa
As the days become shorter and the evenings grow longer, I often find myself drawn towards warmth, quieter moments and a gentler pace. Yet our schedules rarely slow down with the season. We finish work, answer another message and move straight into the next task.
An evening ritual offers a small pause between the demands of the day and the rest that follows. It needn’t be elaborate. In Ayurveda, daily routine is an important part of caring for ourselves. During the colder months, this can be as simple as a warm meal, a comforting touch and a little time away from our screens.
Here are five ways to bring that approach into your evenings.
1. Begin with a warm, nourishing meal
Think of a bowl of vegetable soup, a gently spiced lentil dhal or a simple khichdi. Choose something satisfying that feels comfortable for your digestion.
In traditional Ayurvedic thinking, the cold and dry qualities associated with Vata are met with warmth, moisture and regularity. A freshly cooked evening meal is one everyday expression of this principle.
If possible, sit down to eat without working or scrolling. Let your meal become a moment to receive nourishment, rather than another task to complete.
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2. Keep moving gently through winter
When it’s cold outside, it’s tempting to stay indoors and move less. Make space for gentle movement throughout your day, especially if you spend long periods sitting.
Try slow shoulder circles, wrist and ankle rotations, and gently bending and straightening your fingers, elbows and knees. Keep each movement comfortable and never force a stiff or painful joint.
In Ayurveda, many Marma points, traditionally recognised as vital energy points of the body are located around joints. Gentle movement brings attention to these areas and helps you maintain mobility during the colder months preventing joint and muscular ailments.
3. Try a simple hand or foot massage
Self-massage or Swayam Abhyanga is a traditional Ayurvedic practice. You can begin with just your hands or feet.
Warm a small amount of Mahanarayan Oil between your palms. Massage slowly, using comfortable pressure and paying attention to the sensation of touch.
The best oil during winter is Mahanarayan Oil. Hands and feet contain Marma points that can help regulate body temperatures and also help to calm down the nervous system
Even five quiet minutes can turn an ordinary evening into a moment of self-care.
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4. Create a calming evening ritual
Soften the lighting, put your phone away and take a little time to unwind. Stir ¼ teaspoon of Shanti Blend into warm milk as part of your evening routine. Click Here to purchase
In Ayurvedic tradition, the herbs in this blend are used to nourish and support the nervous system and encourage restful sleep. Enjoy your warm drink slowly, alongside a few quiet moments of reading or gentle music.
5. Give your evening meal time to settle
Aim to leave at least three hours between dinner and bedtime, especially after a substantial meal.
During winter, we often move less and spend more time indoors. Eating a heavy meal shortly before lying down may leave you feeling uncomfortably full and disturb your sleep.
Choose a comfortable portion and, if possible, enjoy a gentle walk afterwards to bring a little movement into your evening.
A small invitation for this evening
Tonight, choose just one thing: prepare something warm, close your laptop a little earlier or give your feet five minutes of care.
Wellbeing doesn’t always require us to do more. Sometimes it begins with making a little room to slow down.
With warmth,
Dr. Deepa
Ayurveda Yoga Wellbeing & Ayurveda Pura Academy