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Morning Routine: Detox & Reset

1/2/2020

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Happy New Year! 2020 = perfect vision; all the better to see our dreams come to life. To kick start a new year (and decade) of good health and habits, my friend Anjeliqueca and I are sharing our morning routines. Check out her post here! 

Mornings are the most precious part of my day. My routine evolved through trial and error over the last seven years, and what stuck is authentically me. I’ve learned how important it is to discipline and condition your mind as it is waking up, in order to set you up for success throughout the day.

Here's how I detox and reset every morning in under one hour!

Purge

5 minutes
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On days that I have lingering "chitta vritti" (yogic term describing the "mental chatter") at night, I usually have a disturbed sleep. These thoughts manifest in the form of anxiety that carries through the next day when left unaddressed. To counteract this, I grab my journal as soon as I wake up and just start writing. No polishing, no word-smithing, no poetic revelations -- just a pure, verbatim mind dump. This is the first detox step. I think of morning pages as a Pensieve (shout out to my fellow Potter nerds), using the pen as my wand to extract and dispose of mental noise. I typically write a page--but do what feels right for you. Some days you'll have more to say than others. Afterwards my mind is immediately calmer without all the distractions and I am more peaceful through the rest of my day.

Cleanse

5-10 minutes
I continue my detox by physically cleansing the body. After brushing my teeth, I do tongue scraping. This ancient Ayurvedic practice removes 'ama', the toxic residue that builds up overnight as a byproduct of digestion. Tongue scraping also stimulates the digestive organs so you can taste and process your food better, removing the need for extra seasoning and eliminating bloating or worse. Time willing, taking a shower in the morning invigorates both mind and body. If not, it's totally fine to gently wash your face with warm water and complete the rest of your--cough cough--human needs.
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Move

10 minutes
At 6:45am my body is still a little stiff so I opt for some slow and gentle yoga. I wake up my spine and hips with some forward folds and standing stretches (some pictured here). I also love child's pose, seated or supine twist, cobbler, happy baby, and locust. The intention is to stretch deeply and show my joints some love before going to work, where I'll be on my computer or sitting in meetings for hours. It's so important to get the blood flowing early!

Nourish

5 minutes
My mind and body are now reset and ready to ingest. I like to break my fast with a warm drink. This winter I've been enjoying an Ayurvedic spice tea that my mom taught me how to make. The blend includes nutritionally rich herbs and spices such as fennel, coriander, ginger, camphor and many more. Together they help balance your doshas - an Ayurvedic term describing the three mind-body energies that govern your mental and physical characteristics. Read my blog post here for the recipe. Craving something richer? Try this turmeric milk recipe!
Get the Recipe
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Meditate

10-30 minutes
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Traditionally, yoga prepares the mind for meditation. After detoxing, stretching and hydrating, my mind is ready to be still. I sit against a wall and take a mudra (hand seal) to complement my intention for the meditation and help me focus. I set a timer for 10-30 minutes depending on how "stiff" my mind is that day. The more agitated I am, the longer I sit. Here are my current favorite meditation techniques:
1) Visualization: Imagine your thoughts are leaves passing in a stream. This is an excellent way to practice "letting go", especially for those of us who struggle with that.
2) Body scan: Focus on sending and experiencing energy in specific parts of your body. This strengthens your mind-body connection.
3) Tibetan bowls: Every time I hear the bell ding, I catch whatever thought is alive in my mind and release it with reverence and respect. 

Absorb

5-10 minutes
With my spirit energized, I am primed to focus and internalize knowledge--AKA time to read! Currently (and continually) I am reading the Bhagavad Gita, a Hindu text that serves as a guide to life. If you are spiritually inclined, this is a perfect time to ingest such texts as you subconsciously set your intentions for the day. If not, any self-empowerment books will benefit you all the same! I go slow and re-read if I need to. My objective is not to "get through 10 books a month" - it's to consciously and carefully select what information will add value to my life. 
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Reflect

5 minutes
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​The final step in my routine is gratitude journaling. I have been practicing this consistently for seven years and am living proof of how much it improves one’s quality of life. I follow a simple set of prompts outlined in the Five Minute Journal. Initially I started because I was jaded by social influences and lost my unconditional optimism. Now, it keeps me grounded and humble as I chase after life goals. On days when I wake up in an inexplicably grumpy mood, I stick to the basics. I give thanks for my eyes that let me witness a sunrise, or for my hands that let me express what’s in my mind. This is not a revolutionary idea - gratitude is a cornerstone of most spiritual practices. By ritualizing it through routine (written, spoken, or thought), it becomes tangible and accessible to anyone. Over time you’ll find yourself effortlessly seeing the bright side of a problem or laughing instead of cursing when someone cuts you off on the freeway. If there's any one thing you take from this whole routine, let it be this.
Try out parts or all of my morning routine and see what sticks. Modify it to fit YOU and prioritize your well being. Unable to meditate for 10 minutes? Meditate for one minute--but do it every day. Don't have enough time to read a chapter a day? Read one paragraph a day instead! The most important thing is to be consistent. This is how you train your mind and develop sustainable habits. For more guidance on how to practice self-care in your morning routine, be sure to read Anjeliqueca’s Good Morning Routine!

Drop me a comment and let me know if any of these steps resonated with you. Happy detoxing!

xo,
​Divya
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Top 6 Favorites of 2019

12/27/2019

0 Comments

 
Was it just me, or did 2019 put many of us through the ringer? I got a peek at who I actually might be which is exciting, but I'm leaving this year feeling like I "survived" it. While family and friends were the #1 reasons I pulled through, I wanted to share a few things that helped me not only maintain my sanity, but also break through mental barriers. I'm regaining optimism and compassion for myself and others by surrendering to the natural waves of life. Thank you all for joining me via my blog this year--sending you lots of love going into 2020!

xo,
Div

Mind


​Podcasts

I haven't been able to bring myself to listen to much music for the last two years--so after commuting in silence for a while, I turned back to podcasts. I couldn't listen to the deluge of technology or innovation podcasts I once devoured--it was too much noise. I needed something that had more meaning. Here are my two favorite podcasts of 2019!
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Oprah's Super Soul Conversations is simply phenomenal. I love listening to anything to do with self-discovery or introspection, and this one really takes the cake for me. Oprah's excellent interviewing skills transfer seamlessly in a well executed series of talks with author Eckhart Tolle. This series came out in early March at precisely the time I needed to hear it most. Two particular episodes focus on Tolle's interpretation of the Pain Body and Breaking Free. The idea of pain being an entity separate from our 'self' but still something we can understand and interact with, completely changed my perspective on how to identify and deal with my anxiety. It took away the panic. I've re-listened to these two episodes about five times each--they are that good.
Listen here.
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I'm a major fan of Inside Trader Joe's. The creativity, the innovation, the friendly chatty feel--it all works for me. I've always been curious about how they ideate and develop their signature dishes and treats, and this podcast gets right into the heart of it. Each episode focuses on a different endeavor - chain expansion, produce, spices, sustainability, etc. It's quirky, quick, and entertaining. 10/10!
​Listen here.

Body

Ayurvedic Spice Tea

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​My mother introduced me to this tea a few years ago but I hadn't yet developed the palate to really appreciate the flavors. This is an Ayurvedic tea that is loaded with some incredibly nutrient rich spices. You can make a big batch of the mix and steep it one cup at a time just like any other loose leaf tea. All the following ingredients can be found at your local indian store or on Amazon. 
Makes 1 serving.

1. Heat a pot of water
2. Using a mortar & pestle or a blender, gently pulse these spices until they are coarsely ground (don't totally powder them).
  • 1/2 tsp coriander seeds
  • 1/2 tsp cumin seeds
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 1/2 tsp black peppercorns
  • 1/2 tsp fennel seeds
  • 1/2 tsp cloves
  • 1/2 tsp fresh grated ginger
  • 1/2 tsp turmeric powder or root
3. When the water is hot, add the spices in.
4. After it's boiled together and the aroma is strong, lower the heat and add the following:
  • 1/2 tsp cardamom powder or whole pods
  • generous pinch of saffron
  • pinch of nutmeg
  • 1/2 tsp edible camphor (this is my favorite ingredient)
5. Let everything sit for a few mins, then strain the tea into a cup and enjoy!

Yoga

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​Yoga does a great deal of good for the body. This year I learned that I needed to be kinder to myself in more ways than one, and having a regular yoga practice became a huge part of that. Here are all the ways it's helped me (just this year!):
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  • Massages joints and stiff muscles
  • Prevents injury
  • Releases emotional pain stored deep in the tissues
  • Empowers you in your body
  • Builds endurance
  • Helps you connect with others
  • Stills the mind in preparation to meditate

Soul

Nature Walks

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This one is simple. I learned to slow down and take myself on a walk any time I felt perturbed, lonely, bored, restless, uninspired--you name it. Often times we just need to get some emotions out of our system. I would pay attention to the feeling on the sun beating down on my face, the smell of the air, the sounds around me, the different people I shared the space with. It's all magic if you look closely enough. I found so much comfort in the simple fact that no matter what I was feeling in the tiny universe of my mind, the sun would always, always rise again the next day and keep me safe and warm. Being in nature is extremely therapeutic and healthy for the body as well. When taking walks in my mom's garden, I'd catch myself thanking a tree after plucking a fruit, or smiling at a flower. Nature is one of the most beautiful expressions of life, and I plan to spend a lot more time appreciating it in 2020. 

Solo Travel

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I think it's vital that people 1) travel and 2) travel alone. This year I took my first solo trip to Portland, Oregon in the midst of a low point and at the time, it felt like the stupidest decision. But the moment I got to my destination, I allowed myself to get lost in experience, in observation, and in awe. I didn't even travel far - it wasn't about where I went. It was about having a stretch of time to exercise a pretty basal instinct - exploration. It expanded my mind and I was bolder and more open when talking to strangers. Highly recommend this to anyone who doesn't think they can survive a weekend with themselves. Have a meal by yourself in a nice restaurant go see some live music, get lost in nature. Get to know yourself closely and follow your curiosities without inhibition.
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