Winters and Ayurveda

UNDERSTAND YOUR BODY BETTER THROUGH THE SCIENCE OF AYURVEDA

- GITA RAMESH

Winter is the cycle of the season where one feels a sense of heaviness. There is less of sunlight which brings in making a person very lethargic and makes a feeling of tiredness and just don't want to do any activity but merely sit doing nothing. There is lots of moisture in the air. The calm peaceful nature can also be seen a bit oppressive at times and can leave us weighed down, stagnant or uninspired.

Each season has its own quality that affects our inner beings working. Having said all this to what degree it affects an individual depends according to our own nature. Some like the winter very much and some like the summer. It's how our nature and body react to the seasons. This is why precisely a seasonal routine is so important and is related to Panchakarma.

A change of diet as well as lifestyle changes are required and remain helpful at the time of any seasonal-induced imbalance. At such a time an individual's diet should be balanced and contain all the six tastes. One also needs to regularly drink warm water or consume other hot beverages like turmeric milk and herbal tea.

Winter is also a time when the season brings along with it dry skin, and very dry hair since the moisture from your body is reduced during this season due to the cold wind blowing. One can notice that the skin during this time becomes very scratchy and rough. At such a time Ayurveda (as a must) prescribes warm oil therapies which would make the person feel active too. Warm oil also helps in keeping your immune system strong during these tough dry months.

Winter also is a time when an individual sees his or her digestive system become weaker as compared to other seasons. Therefore during these months, one does not just eat warm food but the intake should also be light-spiced. Yes and most important is that the food should be cooked well and less raw foods should be consumed.