How Ayurvedic Vata Balance can help you to stay well during the colder months
Ayurveda translates to 'knowledge of life' or 'science of life'. Ayurveda is to India what Traditional Chinese Medicine is to China.
Ayurveda is about living in communion with the shifts of the seasons and the rhythms of the sun and moon. It is an ancient practice that both supports wellness and recovers health. The principles are universal. If you want to feel more connected to your health and wellbeing, try Ayurveda!
Weather and seasonal changes affect your mind and body. Learning to flow with the changing rhythms of nature will help to bring balance to your health. This will help you to adapt your health and beauty routines for each season.
Ayurveda considers the cold, dry autumn months as Vata season. This is a time of change – unbalanced and unsettled.
The Ayurvedic principle is that opposites balance. Vata season is cold, light, dry, windy, and unpredictable. Bring balance to Vata with warmth, oiliness, deep nourishment and a sense of stability and routine.
Your diet can be a powerful way to soothe and help to balance Vata during the colder months.
Add nourishing, fresh foods that are high in protein and healthy fats. Use warming, stimulating spices and serve your meals hot. This will go a long way toward maintaining your internal reserves of moisture and keeping you grounded through the Vata season.
Seasonal foods are excellent Vata-pacifying foods. Look for avocados, bananas, apples, pears, lemons, pumpkins, carrots, beets. Quinoa, rice, mung beans, almonds, sesame seeds and ghee add fibre and protein to your meals.
Try my favourite Moroccan sweet potato, carrot and chickpea soup. This is a nourishing soup that's perfect for the colder days. It freezes well so prepare in large batches and freeze in serving portions for a quick and easy meal.
Warming broths and herbal teas will help to keep you hydrated. This is something that is often forgotten as the colder weather approaches. Make a pure ginger tea by placing a teaspoon of grated ginger in a teapot and filling it with hot water. Let it steep for a few minutes before you enjoy!
Ayurveda's approach to wellbeing is achieving a unique state of balance in your whole being – mind, body and spirit.
Stay as warm as possible: Vata is a cold, dry dosha so it's essential to make sure that your home and workplace are well heated and that the air has enough humidity. Try to wear clothing made with soft fabrics in earth tones and mild pastel shades, which help to calm Vata.
Vata skin tends to be dry so try giving yourself slow, gentle self-abhyanga massage or book a Restore Signature Facial. This will relieve any dryness and relax your mind and nervous system. Relaxing means your endocrine glands are less likely to produce stress hormones. Stress can cause acidity to manifest in your body. This results in inflammation and weakens your immune system, and you don't want that! Applying a drop of sesame oil to the inside of your nasal passages stops them becoming dry during winter. This also helps to trap any germs before you breathe them in.
Create a daily balancing routine that nourishes your mind, body, and spirit. You'll find yourself feeling more energised and centred during the Vata months.
A daily routine will also help if you have trouble sleeping. Proper rest is vital to wellness, especially as cold and flu season approaches.
Get up and go to bed at about the same time every morning and evening.
Eat regular meals rather than "grazing", skipping meals or eating on the run.
Plan time each day for exercise, rest and relaxation.