I like to think I'm pretty "holistic" - I grew up with a homeopath mum, I'm vegetarian and I believe what we put into our body is what we get out of it. But if there's one thing that gets in the way of my wholesome vibe, it's having a hectic schedule.
So, when my colleague tasked me with incorporating some Ayurvedic-inspired wellness rituals into my daily routine, I was intrigued.
Could a few tweaks to my week really be the secret to a less stressful life?
First, let me start by clarifying what Ayurveda means because I didn't know. Ayurveda is a 5,000 year-old eastern tradition, originating from India. It believes that the mind, body and environment are linked and must be in balance to promote good health and wellbeing - AKA, I needed to slow down.
And, you know, if it's good enough for Oprah and the Hemsley sisters, right?
Monday: Find out your dosha
I took Rituals' Dosha Test to reveal my Ayurvedic personality type (AKA my 'dosha') which involved some fairly existential multiple choice questions about my physical, emotional and mental qualities.
The results told me I was a 'Vata' type (rather than a 'Pitta' or 'Kapha') which was described as someone who is creative, lively and energetic when balanced - and overwhelmed or anxious when not. So far, so true.
Tuesday: Take a bath
I've always been more about showers than baths - but taking time out to just lay there and truly relax was so much more therapeutic than I previously gave it credit for.
I didn't allow any tech in with me because I knew I'd be way too tempted by Instagram, e-mails and the like and I wanted space away from everyday stresses. And, since 'Vata' types generally have dry skin and hair, I applied some Ritual of Ayurveda Dry Oil Vata afterwards to maximise relaxation and nourish my skin with sweet almond oil.
Wednesday: Drink tea
I live in a flat with a communal balcony which I rarely use as it's not on my side of the building, but I decided to venture out to it one morning before work.
I set my alarm ten minutes earlier than usual, brewed a pot of Rituals Rose Wisdom Tea (a blend of ginger, rose and chamomile) and drank it while looking out across the city, rather than gazing at my TV or phone. According to my Ayurvedic type, I'm meant to drink warm beverages to stay balanced - and this was one morning activity I can definitely see myself keeping up.
Thursday: Calm your mind
Towards the end of the week, I start getting a conflicted feeling between being excited for the weekend but also worrying about all the work I need to do to really enjoy those two days off.
I'm not really the meditating type but I figured I might as well try to set aside some time to sit and quiet my mind. I wrote a to-do list beforehand to give my brain permission to be still and it allowed me to enjoy this pure time doing nothing.
Friday: Eat well
Taking in the results of my test, I experimented with the diet according to my Vata type. To keep in balance, we, apparently, need to eat naturally sweet foods. This was a surprise to me because I don't really have a sweet tooth but combining fruits like dates and avocados with savoury sides was fine by me, and gave me bursts of energy throughout the day.
Saturday: Go outside
Nothing calms me more than being in nature - but it's easy to forget the endorphins you get from being in a park when your social calendar fills up.
And, according to my 'Vata' dosha, I'm meant to embrace low-impact exercise like walking. So, I put a slot in my diary to get outdoors for a stroll on my own and it's definitely something I want to keep up.
Sunday: Take some time for yourself
Self-care Sundays are the best kind of days but I need to be better at making them happen. I gave myself a couple of hours where I put my phone on flight mode, wrote down any worries before enjoying some time for myself.
Yes, that may mean watching a film, doing a face mask or cooking something delicious - but it was time set aside for whatever I wanted to do.
If I've learnt one thing the past seven days, it's that routine doesn't need to be taxing, it can be fruitful too, as long as you're scheduling in some much needed 'me' time.
For more inspiration on wellness rituals, visit rituals.com
