Nancy White, Ayurvedic Health Counsellor
The Winter Season
If you live in a location with four seasons, then you know that winter is the season of snow, chilly winds, crisp blue skies, and winter activities such as skating, skiing, and tobogganing. Regardless of where you live, we all celebrate the holidays, which can be fun and exciting for some, but stressful and hectic for others. In Ayurveda, the winter is considered to be the Vata season when the environment has the qualities of cold, dry, mobile, subtle, and rough. As winter progresses, we tend to accumulate these qualities, which can eventually lead to an imbalance in our minds and bodies.
In Ayurveda, there are three primary constitutions - Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Everyone has all three of these doshas, but in different proportions, and that is what makes us unique. Vata dosha is most aggravated during the winter time as the environment has similar qualities, and eventually these qualities start to accumulate if they are not managed. A Vata imbalance can look like:
Dry, rough, and cracked skin
Cold extremities and intolerance to cold
Insomnia
Feeling scattered, restless, and anxious
Ringing in the ears
Cracking and popping in the joints
Arthritis
Gas, bloating, and constipation
How to Balance Vata Dosha
Vata dosha is a 'big' dosha as it changes quickly and can actually push the other doshas out of balance. In order to help bring Vata back into balance, you need to bring in the opposite qualities:
Slooooooooow down. Vatas tend to do everything quickly and may be on warp speed around the holidays. Schedule some time to consciously slow down.
Structure your day. Vatas tend to resist routine, but that is what they need the most. Ensure there is a daily routine in place, especially during the holidays when there can be so many extra activities and commitments. If you're not sure what a daily routine might look like, check out my blog post on this subject.
Practice abhyanga (warm oil massage - so amazing in the winter), or at a minimum, regularly moisturize your skin.
Add healthy oils such as ghee and olive oil to your diet.
Dress for the weather!
Drink spiced and warm beverages such as apple cider, golden milk, herbal teas, chai
Avoid cold/frozen foods and drinks.
Avoid excess caffeine and alcohol.
Eat warm, cooked, seasonal foods such as root vegetables, soups, and stews. Add warm spices such as cumin, turmeric, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and cardamom to meals.
Eat mindfully - sit down and pay attention to your food. Do not eat on the run or snack while you're doing other things.
Use aromatherapy for grounding and stress management - heavier scents such as florals, woods, and Vetiver tend to reduce anxiety and bring a sense of calm.
Listen to Your Body
It's important to know that your mind and body accumulate the qualities of the environment around you and this accumulation can lead to an imbalance over time. A prolonged imbalance could lead to illness or even disease. Understanding your doshas can help you to identify when an imbalance is occurring so you can take some action to address it. In the winter, it is important to pay particular attention to Vata dosha as it tends to be the culprit behind most imbalances. Remember to listen to your body and notice the cues so that you can stay healthy over the holidays and through the winter season.
References
Lad, Vasant. [2007]. Textbook of Ayurveda: A Complete Guide to Clinical Assessment. Vol 2. The Ayurvedic Press.
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