8 Ancient Indian Tricks That Can Improve Your Daily Life

With so many new fitness routines and supplements to make our muscles bulkier, along with outrageous diet trends, we sometimes feel the need to go back to basics. India, the birthplace of so many holistic movements, is the perfect example to follow. Their approach is more traditional and takes into account the characteristics of each individual to find a balance between body and mind.

Whether you’re looking to make a radical change in your life or just incorporate some healthier habits, we at Bright Side have prepared a list of tips to achieve the best version of yourself.

1. Cleanse your body through dry brushing.

This ancient technique consists of exfoliating the skin using a natural brush. You should start at your ankles and move upward in the direction of your heart doing long strokes. It can stimulate the lymphatic system to remove toxins. It also exfoliates the skin and reduces cellulite, thus providing you with baby soft skin. Additionally, this self-care technique will make you feel more relaxed after a long and arduous day.

2. Stock your spice rack.

Spices can actually do much more than just enhance flavors. They may offer healing properties. For example, you can try turmeric to reduce inflammation and protect your heart, ginger to help your digestion, cinnamon to regulate your blood sugar, and allspice as an antibacterial that can help you fight off infection.

3. Pamper yourself with a special massage.

We can incorporate this relaxing ritual that has a unique approach when treating general muscle tension in the body. What makes it one of a kind is that it uses a circle of raised dough on a specific point of the body, and a pool of warm oil is pooled in its center. The purpose of the oils is to nourish the underlying tissue.

4. Keep your mouth clean.

The color of your tongue can tell you a lot about your oral health. If you notice that it looks white, then you’d better try this technique. It consists of using a curved tool to scrape the tongue in order to get rid of harmful bacteria, eliminate bad breath, and improve the sensitivity of your taste buds. This tongue scraper — you can also use a spoon — should ideally be made of copper, gold, or brass.

5. Do the right amount of physical exercise.

We all know by now about the positive effects of exercising and the “feel-good” chemicals — also known as endorphins — that our body releases after a workout. However, we tend to demand too much of our bodies when we should be paying more attention to the signs of overtraining and cut how much we exercise by half. You can do something light, like power walks, yoga, or even take up dance lessons. Your body will definitely be thankful!

6. Give meditation a chance.

This might be the most life-changing habit you can incorporate into your life. Our overall well-being depends on the balance between our body and mind. Some factors, such as stress, insomnia, and anxiety, can have a negative effect on our bodies. Apart from being a tool to manage these symptoms, regular meditation can also provide you with a more positive outlook on life. So keep calm and meditate!

7. Practice breathing exercises.

Breathing is the first and last thing we do in our lives, though we don’t usually pay much attention to it. However, the practice of controlled breathing — alongside meditation and yoga — is the perfect triad for your process of healing and feeling contentment. These breathing exercises can have a positive impact by giving us more energy, helping us relax, and staying focused in the present.

8. Try this ancient Indian secret to luscious hair.

Even though thinking about pouring oil into our hair seems messy and old school (who remembers the one about the mayonnaise?), the use of oils may improve the quality, texture, and thickness of the hair. For this to actually work, it’s important to do it regularly, 2 or 3 times a week, and on dry hair. Here are some steps to guide you if you’re trying this for the first time:

1. Add a few spoonfuls of oil in a pot and heat it until it’s warm.
2. Pour a thin thread of oil onto the crown of your head. Then softly tap that area with your palm around 8 times. It may sound strange but it’s believed that it can stimulate circulation and, consequently, follicle growth. Finally, massage the area.
3. Next, pour a bit of oil onto the highest point of your head and massage the area.
4. Pour the rest of the oil onto your scalp and use your fingers to massage your entire scalp in a circular motion.
5. You can either leave the oil on for 1 or 2 hours or overnight (put a towel on your pillow so you don’t ruin the case). Wash it off when you’re done.

Which of these tips would you try? What other suggestions do you have to improve the lifestyle of the Bright Side community?

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