"The Full-Time Job You Didn't Know You Had"

By Nandini Austin, Ayurveda Embodiment Guide & Ayurvedancer

Darlings,

It’s been a while since I’ve landed in your inbox. I'm back, and to begin, let’s talk music.

I chose an 80s track to fit the theme of this article:   Self Control by Laura Branigan . Firstly, I love the 80s—the dance music and, of course, the outfits. But this song, in particular, captures that driving energy we’ve all lived through—the feeling of being endlessly "on" and moving through a world that never sleeps. In 2026, I’m reclaiming the lyrics: true self-control isn't about pushing harder; it’s about the radical act of self-maintenance and knowing exactly how to stoke your own internal fire.

Over the last couple of months, I’ve stepped back into a space of quiet reflection. It’s been lovely, although sometimes a tad isolating; after all, I live in the foothills of the beautiful Catskill Mountains. After two decades navigating the relentless world of Luxury Corporate Hospitality, I’ve noticed a strange pattern. Often, we are brilliant at curating "the perfect stay" or "the ultimate experience" for our guests and clients, yet we forget to look after the very people -ourselves, the leaders, and the teams—who make that magic happen.

In our world, profit increasingly comes first, and the people powering it come second. I’ve reached the conclusion that we can’t keep pouring from an empty cup; it’s time we start treating our own energy with the same high standards we give to everyone else.

It led me to this realization:

"Looking after your body is a full-time job. It’s just the one job no one in leadership really talks about. "

When you’re carrying the weight of a busy career and giving so much to others, how do you tend to yourself without feeling like you’re letting something else slip?

My mission is to change the conversation. I am moving wellness from a "luxury" to a necessity—specifically in the workplace. This is where Self-Care becomes Self-Maintenance, helping the busy professional stay human while performing at their best. I’m not here to give you another chore or make you feel guilty; I’m here to re frame the way we view our own upkeep. It’s not a task—it is the ceremony of coming back to yourself.

Think about it: you wouldn't dream of driving a car a million miles without servicing it, yet we so often neglect the sacred vessel that carries us through every moment of our lives.

And then, there is Ayurveda.

As the world’s oldest holistic healthcare system—the beautiful "Science of Life and Longevity"—it was my own personal journey back to health. It is the one thing that has helped me stay balanced and vibrant in today's crazy workplace, anchoring me through toxic and turbulent times. It isn't just ancient wisdom; it is my modern survival kit.

Energy Is the New Luxury...

In our increasingly tech-driven world, we are becoming disconnected from ourselves, each other, nature, and the universe. In modern work culture, energy—not time—is the real currency. When your energy is supported, your focus sharpens and your emotional resilience returns.

The Science of Your "Glow

The Science of Your "Glow" In Ayurveda, we have a beautiful word for our vital essence, "

 "Ojas - is your "juiciness. Your inner Glow, Energy, Immunity, your vital essence"

It’s that deep reserve of energy that makes us feel resilient, grounded, and vibrant. In the heat of our busy work lives, it’s often the first thing we lose without realizing it.

Is Your Energy Leaking?

When Ojas is depleted, we move from "thriving" to "surviving." Notice how many of these quiet energy drains you experience daily.

5 Simple Winter Anchors for Busy Lives

I'm sharing a few anchors and recipes below that I use to sustain my own vitality—designed for when you don’t have time for complicated self-care:

• GROUND:  Lie down facing upwards on the floor for grounding, Often referred to as "floor time," this therapeutic technique can help combat anxiety and stress by physically connecting with a solid surface. Take some deep breaths in. Slow exhale out.

• (This clears the mind & "Screen Fog")

  
  

• WARM:  Simple but just Sipping hot water or herbal tea.  (It signals safety to your nervous system).

  
  

• NOURISH:  Prep and enjoy a home cooked meal. For inspiration try my bowl immune boosting Spicy Crab Soup.(It builds Ojas and stokes your internal fire).

  
  

• SENSORIZE:  Sip drink with intention try our 'Lovers rock" recipe with Hibiscus and Rose Petal libation. (Awakens the soul).

  
  

• MOVE BABY : (Yoga, walking, stretching or join my February Pop up dance classes

  No choreography, no judgement, no pressure. Just community and joy.

Taking a few moments to indulge in these small acts of kindness for yourself, can help reset the nervous system and restore energy.

Savoring my crab soup lunch

A Refreshing Shift: Bringing Ayurveda to the Boardroom

On promising to note that some companies are investing in their employees health. I recently hosted a Dosha Dynamics: Building Thriving Teams  Ayurveda workshop for a venture capital firm in New York city. They were looking for real tools to improve emotional resilience and communication within their team. It was so refreshing to see leaders in such a high-intensity industry actively seeking change and recognizing that the 'old way' of working just isn't sustainable anymore." It feels good to bring this ancient wisdom into our modern world.

A New Space for Deep Dives

To share this journey, I’ve started a Substack. It’s a space where I’ll be exploring the intersection of Ayurveda, energy, management and sharing practical work and lifestyle hacks and recipes .

Its part of my mission to help leaders and teams stay human in 2026,

I’ve taken the liberty of adding you to the list so you don’t miss my latest dispatch, "February, Re framed." If you’d prefer not to receive these deeper dives, you can unsubscribe at any time—no hard feelings

And because I want to help you find that same stability and sensory connection in your own rhythm, I have a special invitation for February..."

A Special Invite for February: Reclaim Your Balance

February is marketed as a month of grand romance, but I see it as a month to stabilize and find your unique rhythm. Since I’m feeling the love, for February only: book any Nourishing Ayurveda Cooking Class and receive a complimentary Dosha Mind-Body Type consultation. Let’s find the blueprint that keeps you vibrant, explore your energy, and give you specific tools to prioritize your health alongside your busy work schedule.

"Remember: celebrate that beautiful body of yours. Even on the days when you don’t feel it, be good to it—it is the only one you’ve got.

Cheers darlings, till next time,

Nandini Natasha Austin

Ayurveda Embodiment Guide and, Ayurvedancer

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