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Winters are almost here and our bodies are started feeling the effects of humid and cold temperatures on our health and well-being. Many of you may be getting sick frequently due to low immunity level. So, now the question is “How to stay healthy and happy during the winter season?”
One of the best things you can do for yourself today is to adopt some changes in your diet and lifestyle as per the ancient Indian science of Ayurveda (meaning the “knowledge of life”). This is not just based on a system of healing, but also on preventing through the balance of different doshas (life force made of elemental substances) in the body so we can maintain good health.
Ayurveda is comprised of tri-dosha system that is based on three biological types: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. We all possess each of three doshas, and each one of us is born with a dominating dosha but all you need to do is understand which doshas are you? Once you know your dosha type, you can adjust changes in habits to obtain balance and prevent illness or disease. Like humans have doshas the same goes for the seasons – Pitta is late spring and summer, Vata goes from late fall into early winter, and Kapha is winter and early spring. Kapha is comprised of the water and earth elements, thus it is heavy, cool, wet and stable.
Here’s how you can maintain your health in winter season –
Starting your day
Early morning wake up and start your day with oil pulling before eating or drinking anything. The ancient practice of oil pulling will bring together all the toxins of the body and release it out. The mouth is the phrase of the immune system if your gums and teeth are healthy, so are you healthy as well! Simply use about 1tbsp of coconut, sunflower or olive oil and swish it around for 20 minutes in your mouth. You’ll notice the oil becomes thick and milky as it collects the toxins. After you spit it out (be careful not to swallow), rinse it off with salt water.
What to drink?
Kapha must drink calming herbal tea throughout the day made of ginger, mint or make your own with cardamom pods. Early morning, it is advised to drink hot water with turmeric to get a nice slam of antioxidants. Hot beverages maintain the Kapha in motion and prevent mucus to be built up. Remember Kapha types are stable, so keep it in motion for dosha balance.
How to eat?
Eat cooked foods and stay away from cold and raw foods that are hard to digest during the winter season. Also, avoid gluten and dairy that creates “glue” in the stomach resulting in Kapha stagnation. Also, avoid drinking water with your meals. Wait to finish eating before you drink and it would be much better to drink 30 mints after eating food. Avoid cold water and consider lukewarm water or warm water is advised to keep the body warmth in gear.
What to eat?
To maintain a Kapha balance, eat bitter veggies and quiche fruits. Make sure to add spices like coriander and cumin to your veggie dishes (to aid in digestion). Serve it with basmati rice and you’ll have a mouthwatering Indian-style dish to eat! Indulge in eating fruit like pomegranate and other seasonal fruits like apples and pears.
How to treat your body?
Daily exercise is necessary to keep Kapha in balance during the winter for which yoga and power walking are excellent choices. Try to take at least 20-30 minutes a day for you to exercise and stretch to oppose lethargic tendencies that arise during this season. When back home, take a warm shower or bath and don’t forget to care for your skin with warm almond or jojoba oil. Lather yourself with olive oil and salt during a warm shower which is also very effective for balancing Kapha and helping yourself feel good throughout the day.
These basic essential tips are quite useful for all leading doshas during the winter season but are particularly effective for people of Kapha energy. Remember – Kapha is well defined as humid, dark and cold, so you must apply the opposite qualities of the energy that is light, dryness and warmth to obtain balance in doshas. The ancient wisdom of Ayurvedic treatment says that we can self-heal and take care of our imbalances with simple practices before they turn into illness.