Relaxed through workday with European Ayurveda®
Slowly, we are returning to the workday after a beautiful summer. The holidays are slowly coming to an end, and the workday is following its usual rhythm. Appointments, meetings, new projects, and colleagues – this can be exhausting. Additionally, in autumn, the Dosha Vata really picks up speed. The bioenergy of change and movement initiates all processes for the winter months. And when stress meets highly active Vata, exhaustion, restlessness, and inner turmoil can result.
In European Ayurveda®, we believe that balanced bioenergies strengthen our health and immune system, and stress cannot affect us as easily. We have a few tips and meditation techniques for you to help you handle your workday more relaxed.
Routine in the workplace
Do you sometimes feel overwhelmed by all the tasks, not knowing where to start? Do you come to the office and already feel overwhelmed at the start of the day? A small tip that can change a lot is: Routine!
Routines in European Ayurveda® are meant to reduce stress and provide a certain structure to everyday life. Humans need regularity because it provides security and orientation. And this is, of course, also true in the workplace. In the workday, you will manage better through more stressful phases with this.
Give each morning a certain routine:
Arrive at your workplace. First, take off your jacket, briefly greet your colleagues, and perhaps treat yourself to a cup of tea in the morning. This way, you gather strength for the day. Only then look for your workplace and prepare it for your job.
Make to-do lists:
If you find it difficult to find a starting point in your tasks, simply create a to-do list. Arrange the items according to the priority in which they need to be completed. If you are unsure about some tasks, it’s best to ask the team. Discussions often reveal what still needs to be done.
Keep order:
There are types of people who can work well with a certain amount of chaos. But disorder on the desk can quickly settle in your mind. Try to keep your workplace as tidy as possible. Separate yourself from documents that are no longer needed – it's like detox for the office. You will immediately feel more comfortable in a tidy workspace. At the same time, you release yourself from mental ballast that only hinders your success.
Take sufficient lunch breaks
Breaks are important! Body, mind, and soul need a break to recharge energy. The best thing you can do for your body is a little walk in nature. If that’s not possible, find a park nearby or a quiet part of the city. Movement is good for circulation, reduces stress, and helps you unwind. It's best to leave your smartphone at your workspace. Because your break belongs only to you.
In European Ayurveda®, we recommend taking three fixed meals daily according to your constitution type and avoiding snacks in between. Accordingly, you should treat yourself to a delicious but still light dish during your lunch break. It's best to cook it yourself. You can find suitable recipes in our cookbook.
You should take your lunch in peace and without distraction. Instead of devouring the meal in front of the PC, you should pay full attention to yourself before continuing.
Meditations for the office
To find peace between phone calls, meetings, and tasks, meditations are excellent. They don't have to last long, either. A meditation helps you balance your bioenergies, reduce stress and strengthen resilience. Here we have two exercises for you:
Breathing exercise for in between
Sit upright on your chair. Your feet evenly touch the ground. Your back is straight and not leaning against the backrest. Hold one hand on your stomach below the navel. You can rest the other hand relaxed on your lap.
Close your eyes and take a deep breath. Feel with your hand how your stomach slowly rises. Imagine pure energy entering your body with the breath. Exhale and feel how the stomach slowly sinks again. With each exhalation, stress and hustle leave your body. Now concentrate on the spot where your hand touches your stomach. This is where the solar plexus is located. Breathe consciously into this area and slowly out again. With each breath, you will feel your pulse slow and your thoughts become calmer. Repeat this exercise as often as you like.
Walk mindfully
In the office, you walk more paths than you think. From the desk to the copier, over to the coffee kitchen, on to the toilet, or into the meeting room. Try to walk these paths mindfully once. Pay attention to your steps. Walk slower, feel how your feet roll on the ground. This awareness of your steps creates distance from work and helps you stay with yourself. It strengthens inner peace.
Elisabeth Naschberger-Mauracher
Elisabeth Naschberger-Mauracher is the managing director and Ayurveda expert at the European Ayurveda Resort Sonnhof in Thiersee, Tyrol. Since 2019, she and her husband have jointly managed the Ayurveda resort, which has received numerous awards, including: Global Winner: Detox Program, Best Medical Spa Award, and World Luxury Hotel & Spa Award.
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