Spring is upon us. The accumulated winter snow has melted and the earth is heavy, damp, and saturated with water, all in preparation for the growth of new flora and fauna. Just like the seasonal transitions in nature, we too are eliminating accumulated water (Kapha) from the body. With that accumulated water comes accumulated toxins (ama) which have now melted and dislodged from tissues and organs. According to Ayurveda, this is the time when we are most susceptible to illness and imbalance.
Since we are directly connected to nature, our physiology senses a natural opportunity for a fresh, clean start during the transition from winter to spring. We feel the natural urge to cleanse ourselves of any accumulated imbalances, rejuvenate our deepest tissues, and adopt a fresher mindset.
Spring is one of vata type’s favourite seasons because they thrive in times of change and transition. On the downside, the high level of energy that comes with makes vata types at risk of accumulating too much energy and experiencing ‘burn out’. When vata increases in the body we may experience weight loss, increased dryness of the skin and hair, constipation and excessive bloating, erratic digestion, insomnia and anxiety.
Thankfully, Ayurveda provides us with the tools to ease the transition from winter to spring so we can feel lighter and more vibrant for the upcoming season. A balance of vata in the body and mind brings ease of movement (less rigidity in the joints), consistent appetite, normal bowel function, healthy desire, good energy, and a greater sense of calm and creativity. As a general rule of the thumb, you can balance vata’s cold, dry, and airy tendencies by increasing its opposite qualities and introducing more warmth, earthiness and oily nourishment into your life.
How to balance vata with food:
An ideal vata diet calms and nourishes the nervous system, increases the digestive fire (agni) and improves the absorption of nutrients. Since vata types are aggravated by dry, raw, and cold foods, it is important to continue to consume warm and oily foods, especially in early spring when the temperatures can still be erratic.
Here are some vata-balancing eating habits to help ease the transition to spring:
- Eat mindfully without any distractions.
- Keep mealtimes consistent and don’t overeat of forget to eat.
- Favour foods that are warm, soupy, heavy and oily.
- Increase your intake of healthy oils and fats; such as ghee and avocado.
- Favour foods and spices that are sweet, sour or salty.
- Reduce or avoid foods that are cold, dry, hard, spicy, bitter or astringent.
- Avoid processed foods and reduce stimulants.
- Sip on ginger tea to keep the digestive fire strong.
- Support the nervous system with herbal teas such as Tulsi and Chamomile.
- Calm the digestive tract with herbal teas such as peppermint, CCF and Triphala.
How to balance vata with daily rituals:
Vata types need to remain balanced and calm, as they have a tendency to overthink and overstimulate the nervous system. They need nourishing and grounding in any form, so they can slow down and balance their nervous energy before it causes imbalances.
Here are some vata-balancing daily habits to help ease the transition to spring:
- Sip on warm cooked water throughout the day, especially if the temperature is still cool outside.
- Practice grounding movement, such as gentle yoga, pilates, and walking outside.
- Calm the nervous system with adaptogens such as Ashwagandha.
- Do a daily Abhyanga self-massage with warm sesame oil.
- Practice meditation to calm the mind and the nervous system.
- Practise So Hum meditation to for calm and balance.
- Do pranayama exercises daily, such as Nadi Shodhana to balance your energy.
- Go to bed by 10:00-10:30 and wake 20 minutes before the sunrise.
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Tags: Ayurveda
