By Dominique Del Col, Herbalist and Founder of Tidelands House
When life feels heavy, the leaves decaying at our feet and the soil under our soles needing nourishment and tender care, we must return to ourselves. Caress the bruised petals and run fingers through tangled roots, guiding them around jagged rocks, hollow trees, and withering flora. Like all organic matter, we are wild things that require generous upkeep to flourish. Soft practices become essential medicines that allow us to heal and plant seeds that yield fruit to enjoy and share with others. Self-nurturing births expansive capacity and abundance.
I have enjoyed incorporating these small and gentle Ayurvedic practices for many years.
I feel more rooted, resilient, and able to approach the day with a sense of quietude and peace that profoundly resonates and enhances my adeptness to welcome challenges and connect with others in authenticity and love.
Ayurveda is an ancient system of medicine and holistic healing that originated in India over 5,000 years ago. The term "Ayurveda" is derived from the Sanskrit words "Ayur" (meaning life) and "Veda" (meaning knowledge or science), making it the "science of life." Ayurveda encompasses a comprehensive approach to health, wellness, and natural healing, and it is considered one of the world's oldest healthcare systems.
Ayurvedic morning routines often include tongue scraping and warm lemon water to aid in the body's natural detoxification processes, removing toxins that may have accumulated overnight. Starting the day with a warm, spiced beverage (such as ginger tea) and light, easily digestible foods can stimulate digestion and promote regularity.
Many Ayurvedic morning routines include mindfulness practices like meditation and deep breathing exercises, which help reduce stress, enhance mental clarity, and improve emotional well-being. Ayurvedic skincare routines, often incorporated in the morning routine, focus on natural ingredients and gentle self-massage (abhyanga) with oils, promoting healthy and radiant skin.
Waking up early and following an Ayurvedic routine can boost energy levels throughout the day, helping you feel more awake, alert, and focused. These conscious and thoughtful practices help ground each day and create space for deep communion with our physical body and higher self.
"If you take care of the small things, the big things take care of themselves."
- Emily Dickinson 1830-1886
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Dominique Del Col is a holistic wellness educator, founder, and herbalist behind Tidelands House Fine Skincare & Stillroom. She has spent nearly two decades immersed in the ancient medicinal practices of traditional herb craft. When she is not in her studio, Dominique can be found tending to her small flock of heritage hens and foraging in the forest with her young daughters, husband and two dogs.