Ayurvedic tips in winter

We are already halfway through winter in Australia. You may notice in nature increased moisture due to a lot of rains, cloudy days and cold temperature. You may experience slow feeling, sleeping a little more, moving a little less, even a sense of heavy feeling, and more moisture in our skin and fat in our tissues.

Winter is characterized by the qualities of damp, heavy, thick, dense, sticky, cold and cloudy. All those qualities tend to increase in our body and mind throughout the season. These are all qualities of Kapha, which is why winter is primarily Kapha accumulating season.

Each season has in a unique set of qualities that can either pacify or aggravate the inner energy of your being. This is why a seasonal routine is so important and helpful to stay healthy. By adapting your diet and lifestyle to better accommodate the changing seasons, you can reduce the likelihood of any seasonally induced imbalances.

Some Ayurvedic tips in winter:

• ŸFavour a warm, soothing, nourishing, slightly oily, easily digestible, well-spiced food such as soup and stew. We are designed to eat a little bit more in winter. However, it must be the right types of foods to nurture without aggravating Kapha.

• Favour a balance of all 6 tastes – sweet, sour, salty, pungent/spicy, bitter and astringent.

• Favour wholegrain, oatmeal, rice, barley, rye, ghee, sweet potato, hearty, heating vegetables like radishes, cooked spinach, brussel sprouts, broccoli, carrots, and root vegetables, beets, squash, well-cooked legumes (mung beans, lentils), non-heated honey, organic milk, warming spices such as cinnamon, black pepper, ginger, nutmeg, mustard seeds.

• Avoid Vata aggravating (dry, rough, cold in qualities) and non-seasonal food, such as dry nuts, crackers, rice cake, cereal, salads and raw food in general, tropical fruits in winter. While dairy is best reduced in winter, a cup of hot, spiced milk with a pinch of turmeric or dried ginger, black pepper before bed can help to encourage sound sleep.

• Avoid Kapha aggravating food such as cheese, yogurt, pastry, sweets, heavy, oily, frozen food.

• Drink warm water or warming herbal teas such as ginger, cinnamon, clove. Avoid cold water or iced water, cold food.

• Avoid skipping meals or fasting.

• Do regular yoga, pranayama and meditation. Some sun salutations are ideal as they build up heat and work all the major muscles.

• Wake up by 6.30-7am at the latest and do regular exercise to keep the circulation and lymph moving preventing congestion.

• Get exposure to sunlight whenever possible.

• Do Ayurvedic oil massage (Abhyanga) with warm black sesame oil. Ground yourself with a daily self-massage followed by a warm shower or bath to prevent feelings of coldness, stiffness and aching joints.

• Stay warm and dry, always wear a hat and scarf outside as the body heat is lost through the head.

• Avoid day sleeping as this will weaken your digestive fire and make you feel heavy and sluggish.

• Use aromatherapy oils that are warm, pungent and uplifting such as camphor, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, orange, cedar, jasmine, lavender and frankincense.

Stay balanced in winter adjusting diet and lifestyle with nature’s rhythm.

Rieko is a certified Ayurvedic Practitioner, professional member of Australasian Association of Ayurveda, and certified yoga teacher. Feel free to be in touch for your questions, consultation bookings or how Ayurveda and Yoga can help achieving your wellness goals.

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