Due to the current corona crisis, more and more employees are being drawn to their home desks in order to minimize the risk of infection and thus protect their fellow human beings. Working from home, however, is not easy for everyone – the distraction lurking within one’s homes weighs on self-discipline. If you are looking for alternative motivation tips for your office work at home, Ayurveda is the place to find them. The traditional Indian healing method offers many practices that increase the ability to concentrate, can be easily integrated into everyday life at home and structure the daily routine. Incidentally, the Ayurvedic routines serve as a detox miracle therapy, which strengthens mental and physical health and with a touch of exoticism even satisfies the yearning for wanderlust.
SpaDreams, the leading Ayurveda specialist, presents the best tips for Ayurvedic home office motivation.
Ayurveda treatments for more motivation in the home office
Ayurveda, “the science of life”, is based on the three ayurvedic constitution types Kapha, Pitta and Vata, which each person carries within him/herself in an individually developed way (Quiz: What’s your Dosha type from SpaDreams). For each Dosha type, individual health tips for nutrition, exercise or relaxation are recommended. The following Ayurveda-for-at-home tips are suitable for all Dosha types.
“Dinacharya” – the ayurvedic daily routine starts in the morning
Before starting to work in your home office, the ayurvedic daily routine “Dinacharya” begins with a detoxifying morning cleanse to ensure the best possible feeling of well-being. First of all, drink a large glass of lukewarm water, which stimulates digestion. This is followed by the “oil extraction”, in which a small tablespoon of sesame oil is “pulled” (rinsed lightly back and forth) in the mouth for five to ten minutes. The oil has a positive effect on gums and nerves, removes toxins from the mouth and prevents caries. Afterwards, the tongue is cleaned with a silver spoon or tongue scraper. Those who feel like it, continue the Ayurvedic ritual with nasal rinsing: a lukewarm saline solution is drizzled into the nose with the help of a nasal jug. Excess mucus is dissolved and the sensory perception is improved. Afterwards you brush your teeth thoroughly.
Those who would like to deepen the morning Ayurveda treatment can pamper themselves with a ten-minute Ayurvedic full-body self-massage, during which basic oils such as sunflower oil and olive oil (Kapha and Pitta type suitable) and sesame oil (Vata type suitable) are gently massaged into the skin. Immediately afterwards is the right time for yoga asanas and breathing exercises (pranayama): Oiled up, yoga or meditation sessions have an even more intensive effect, the body is more flexible and the moisture can be absorbed further into the pores. Afterwards, take a shower and your workday at home can begin.
Ayurvedic motivation kicks for in between
Positive thinking at the push of a button is not always easy, but from an ayurvedic and scientific point of view it increases the performance of body and mind. Positive feelings supply the organism with energy, which lowers the stress hormone cortisol. Dealing with work stress and difficult tasks is thus noticeably easier.
Keeping up the motivation in the home office is a challenge, especially at the beginning. However, just a few minutes of daily meditation can help to increase concentration. A five-minute meditation break in a seated position, during which the focus is on one’s own inhalation and exhalation, is sufficient at the beginning to get back to work with new energy. Meditation professionals even practice this mindfulness exercise for 30 minutes.
Vedic music can also improve the performance of some home workers. The so-called “Gandharva Veda music”, which is also used in music therapies, balances the doshas and provides holistic relaxation. Vedic music pieces like Rain Melody interpret the sound of nature for any time of day or mood. Pressure to perform and a full e-mail inbox can thus be approached more relaxed.
Ayurvedic nutrition in the home office
In order to approach your working day at home in a focused manner, it is also important to put together an optimal Ayurvedic menu. The first meal of the day is breakfast between 7 and 9 am. Grains and sweet components such as toasted bread and jam (fruit sweetener) are optimal – body and mind are nourished in that way, but not lethargic. Important: Never eat in a hurry and avoid caffeinated drinks like coffee. If you do not feel hungry in the morning, you can skip breakfast altogether.
The Ayurvedic lunch is best enjoyed between 10 am and 2 pm. Now your digestion is in full swing and you are ready for the main meal of the day. Protein-rich legumes, salad and freshly cooked vegetables are now well absorbed by the body and provide energy for the second half of the working day.
Dinner between 5 and 7 pm is a light meal. Cereals, rice and vegetables and a small dessert are allowed. Raw foods as well as spicy, sour or salty foods are better avoided in order to calm the stomach, ensure a good night’s sleep and prevent cravings.
Spices in particular play an important role in Ayurvedic food science, as they have purifying, detoxifying and concentration strengthening properties. Drinking ayurvedic “spice water” is a real boost for brain cells. As a morning hot drink, ginger water (1.5 litres of water with pieces of ginger) not only boosts the metabolism, but also improves general brain functions.
The Ayurvedic “trend spice” turmeric also belongs to the ginger family and, according to a study published in the magazine “Annals of Indian Academy of Neurology”, is said to even improve the memory performance of dementia patients. As the trend drink “Golden Milk”, turmeric, in combination with vegetable milk, ginger, cinnamon, coconut oil and black pepper, offers an ideal alternative to coffee or tea. Saffron, the world’s most expensive spice, is a natural antidepressant and is said to support learning processes. Smelling cinnamon or chewing a cinnamon chewing gum is said to help to be mentally more alert and faster in thinking. Freshly squeezed fruit juices are also suitable for stopping hunger.
After (Home) Work meets Ayurveda
The day in the home office is over – time to reward yourself for the work you’ve done and to start the evening in a relaxed atmosphere. After dinner, a ten to 15-minute walk is good for body and soul. Afterwards, gentle activities such as yoga, meditation or reading are part of the evening programme.
According to Ayurveda you should go to bed by 10 pm at the latest. Later, body and soul will wake up again and it will be difficult to fall asleep. Now nothing stands in the way of the coming working day in the home office with lots of new energy and concentration.
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