How Ayurveda can help you through the winter
Ayurveda has been the traditional health system of India for thousands of years. It holds ancient secrets to living a balanced life centered and aligned around your inner qualities, and the environment in which you live. Ayurvedic treatments and lifestyle advice help each individual to harmonize with the external world in order to adapt to their internal desires.
The Kapha season of winter is characterized by cold, wet, and heavy (earth and water) qualities. The accumulating quality of Kapha creates a desire to slow down, store energy, and conserve.
Ayurveda can help you find balance during the winter season when you're prone to feeling sluggish.
Understanding the Kapha dosha
The word “Kapha” comes from the Sanskrit words “karaka” which means sticky substance and “pahana” which means to fall down or sink.
According to Ayurveda, this dosha is associated with heaviness as well as with wetness. A person who possesses a lot of Kapha in his system will find himself uncomfortable during this time because of the high amount of air movement that takes place during this season.
He may also experience insomnia, and tiredness throughout the day due to lack of sleep due to frequent wakefulness at night; however, if there are enough herbs present within his diet then these symptoms might not occur due to their balancing effect
Kapha is the dosha that governs the body's water content. It is associated with the earth, so it's associated with our eyes, nose, and mouth; it also governs our sense of taste. Kapha is responsible for lubricating joints and maintaining healthy skin.
Kapha Diet
If you're suffering from Kapha, it's important to eat a balanced diet that includes more whole grains, as much warm, dry food as possible (such as soups and stews), less dairy, and more light soups and stews. Less fried foods are also good for balancing the dosha.
Kapha Routine
Morning
According to Ayurveda, the morning is the most energetically dynamic time of day for Kapha. This is because Kapha dosha is characterized by the qualities of earth and water, which are heaviest at this time of day. The more grounded you are in your life’s routine—and thus able to accomplish tasks like waking up before 6 am (or even earlier), getting a good night’s rest, and eating healthy meals—the easier it will be for you to manage your emotions during this period.
Evening
The evening is the most energetically static time of day for Kapha. This is because it's when we're starting to wind down from our day, and this can cause us to feel tired.
The evening is also an excellent time to meditate if you have a practitioner who can help guide your meditation practice. Meditation will help balance out any excess energy in your body, which makes it easier for you to fall asleep at night and wake up feeling refreshed during the morning hours.
- Drink a cup of ginger tea before bed.
- 5-10 minutes of meditation or deep breathing exercises with lavender oil before bed.
- Drink warm water with lemon juice before bed, which helps to cool down the body temperature and helps relax you.
- Drink a cup of hot milk before bed, which is also known to be beneficial for Kapha dosha since it has digestive properties and contains proteins that are easily digested by your body while you sleep.*
Ayurveda teaches us that we can balance our body’s energy by eating foods that are light, warm, and dry. This allows us to feel energized throughout the day. The best way to do this is by eating a diet full of fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and beans; as well as plenty of water! You may also want to consider taking supplements like ashwagandha or turmeric root powder which will aid with digestion and help you stay hydrated throughout your day.
Over centuries, the practice of Ayurvedic wellness has proven to result in a more rejuvenated body, mind and spirit, thus nurturing mindfulness and stronger immunity.
Heal with us at Kansa Organics!
Live a mindful life, and live holistically.
_______________
If you have any questions, please email us at hello@kansaorganics.com
Follow us on Instagram, like us on Facebook, and subscribe to our Youtube channel for more #AyurvedaTips.
_______________
This blog is written by Nadjerah Barua