9 Holistic Hacks To Warm Yourself Up Instantly, According To Ayurveda Expert

We asked Ayurvedic experts for their top tips for warming up fast—here's what they had to say:

According to Ayurveda expert and co-founder of SoulFull Veda Angelica Neri, drinking warm water with lemon—particularly in the morning—is great for heating yourself up. "Not only will the temperature of the water be warming, but the heating property of the lemon (which is known to be of the sour taste in Ayurveda) will also support warmth in the digestive system and body," Neri explains to mbg.

Ayurvedic doctor Manas S. Kshirsagar A.D., M.S., tells mbg that ginger is warming, making ginger tea another excellent option to sip on. And, he adds, because it helps to stoke your inner agni, or internal fire, he notes that it's great to drink before a meal to prepare your body for digestion.

In general, "Using warming herbs and spices in meals will help keep the digestive fire kindled," says Neri.

One study on tummo breathing1 done in 2014 found that this practice may actually help people raise their body temperature slightly. Check out our full how-to guide for tummo breathing here

If you've never done breath of fire, here's an intro to the practice. As with all breathwork techniques, beginners will want to take this one slow and take rests to breathe normally as needed.

Abhyanga is an Ayurvedic massage that uses warm oil, and Kshirsagar says it's one of his favorite ways to create a little more heat in the body. "It's a great way to get the circulation up and moving and pacify the vata and kapha doshas," he says, adding it can improve lactic acid stagnation and lymphatic stagnation as well.

Ever heard of candle-gazing meditation, aka trataka? As Neri explains, this Ayurvedic meditation technique incorporates the warming element of fire. "Simply light a candle and meditate on the flame with a soft gaze," she says, while resisting the urge to blink. You can start with a few minutes and work your way up to 15—but be sure to use nontoxic candles as you go!

Along with including warming spices in your meals, Neri says you can opt to eat more seasonal foods that carry the fire element in Ayurveda—including apples, tomatoes, garlic, chilies, onions, celery, sea salt, and tamari.

And last but certainly not least, Kshirsagar and Neri both say moving your body is another simple but effective way to warm up fast. Neri recommends working up a good sweat in the morning, adding that hot yoga, power vinyasa, and Pilates are all grounding and warming. You can also take a walk when the sun is at its highest in the sky, soaking in its warmth and light to carry with you through winter.