An Ayurvedic Holiday Guide by Nina Cornejo, board-certified Ayurvedic Practitioner

For many of us, the holiday season is when our stress—and stress eating—can take on a whole new level. We want to enjoy ourselves with good food and loved ones—laugh, eat, be merry, and sleep like a bear. Yet there are countless anxieties and pressures many of us must move through to enjoy these moments. Along with the plague of infamous financial stress, this time of year often harbors tensions that stem from various origins. For some, it can be an inner battle with food and health habits, or the fermenting thoughts of what’s to come at dinner table discussions—especially in an election year. For others, it may be not having a dinner table to go to, or it could be the sadness and grief for those who have passed or are suffering.

With all these emotions stewing below the surface, it is by doing the best we can with what we have, letting go of what we can’t control, and focusing on taking care of ourselves that we bring more positivity and quality to our lives.

The Mind-Body Connection and Digestion

We know the mind and body are one, and supporting our physical health is synonymous with supporting our mental health. Western medicine now agrees with Ayurveda’s perception of the influence of digestion and metabolism (known as Agni) on mental functions. Modern research is making connections with the importance of healthy gut flora and its relationship to psychological ailments such as anxiety and depression. 1

How Our Senses Influence Stress

We also know what we see and listen to affects our brain chemistry and brainwaves. Through our senses—seeing, hearing, tasting, touching, and smelling—we can instantly trigger feelings of anxiety or peacefulness, memories, and familiar emotions of the past. The senses are interwoven with the mind, and we can improve how we feel by changing what we feed our senses.

To shift how we feel, we can focus on feeding our senses with experiences that calm and soothe:

• Play music that relaxes and uplifts you.
• Use aromatherapy with lavender or rose essential oils to promote tranquility.
• Laugh at comedy to release tension and lighten your energy.

Exposure to nature can also have a powerful effect, whether it’s through fresh flowers on the table, time spent outdoors in sunshine and clean air, or simply adding small, natural touches to your space.

Creating a Peaceful Environment

The sensory experience of our environment matters. By making positive additions to our surroundings, we alter our state of being and better regulate responses to stressful moments. Consider:

• Prioritizing a good night’s rest every night.
• Bringing art and beauty into your home or workspace.
• Incorporating natural elements such as plants, flowers, or even peaceful landscapes.

Creating peaceful surroundings for ourselves leads to more peaceful thoughts and moments. It brings us into the present with greater quality—both when alone or with others.

Stress, Digestion, and Rest

With this baseline understanding that our physical well-being and sensory experiences are interconnected with our mental faculties, we can begin to focus inward on ways to support and ground ourselves.

When we take time to regulate our stress, our eating habits naturally follow suit. We stress less, which reduces our tendency to eat anxiously. As a result, we develop a healthier relationship with food and experience less worry about our eating choices.

When we eat in an anxious state, our digestive system becomes significantly impaired. 2 Habitually engaging in activities and surroundings that bolster calm is essential for proper digestion and bodily functions.

The Importance of Rest and Saying No

Recharging ourselves is non-negotiable, and saying no when we need space and time is a cornerstone aspect of caring for ourselves. This means learning to say no to others and treating time to rest as essential—not a luxury.

Often, our bodies ask us for more time to rest, and we respond by giving them food instead of a break. When we operate from a place of calm, it becomes easier to understand what our bodies are signaling to us—thus allowing us to meet our needs better.

Final Thoughts

Understanding how our senses affect our minds and the vitalness of proper rest puts more power in our hands to take care of ourselves. Striving for inner calm and not aggravating whatever stressors we are experiencing allows us to move more fluidly through daily shifts and make choices that improve our enjoyment of life and peace of mind. 

References

1. PMC: Gut Flora and Mental Health
2. PubMed: Stress and Digestion