Time to hibernate
When we follow the flow of nature, winter is a perfect invitation to redirect our energy inward. It is a time to rest, rejuvenate, vision, reflect, and hibernate until the spring.
The following advice is particularly useful for those struggling with the winter blues.
Kapha season
Winter season is the season of kapha. It is characterized by cold weather, heaviness, moisture (rain and snow), and the grounded slow feeling that many animals sense as their cue to go into hibernation. These are the same qualities as those of kapha dosha. Therefore winter is considered a kapha season primarily, and due to seasonal effects, we as humans start to accumulate some of the same qualities in our bodies.
Therefor a winter routine is very much advisable to keep kapha balanced.
Signs of kapha imbalance:
- Excess mucus
- Allergies
- Congestion
- Sluggish
- Lethargic
-
A foggy and dull mind
- Light to mild depression
General balancing tips
During winter, our digestive fire is focussed inward, and this the season that it is the strongest. During winter, we tend to eat a little more, and the food tends to be a little heavier. Sound familiar? The body needs more fuel to stay warm and healthy during the winter, igniting our digestive fire deep inside our bodies. Therefore our bodies can handle more substantial and nutritive meals to replenish and rejuvenate whatever was lost during the other seasons. For most of us, winter dietary habits come quite naturally. But they should aim to decrease our kapha dosha without increasing our vata dosha. Generally, this will include warm, cooked, slightly oily, well-spiced meals.
Eat seasonally
There isn't much harvesting going on when you live in a colder country. But keep in mind that sticking with whatever is at hand from nearby is always favored overproduce that has traveled thousands of miles to reach your plate.
Vegetables to favor
- Asparagus
- Beets
- Brussel sprouts
- Carrots
- Sweet potatoes
- Green beans
- Spinach
- Squash
- Turnips
- Parsnips
- Leafy greens
Grains to favor
- Amaranth
- Barley
- Buckwheat
- Millet
- Steel cut oats
- Quinoa
- Rice, basmati
- Rye
- Seitan
- Wheat
Legumes to favor
- Lentils, brown
- Lentils, red
- Mung beans
- Split mung beans
- Tempeh
- Tofu
- Toor dhal
- Urud Dhal
NUTS & seeds to favor
- Almonds
- Brazil nuts
- Cashews
- Hazelnuts
- Macadamia nuts
- Peanuts
- Pecans
- Pine nuts
- Pistachios
- Walnuts
- Pumpkin seeds
- Sunflower seeds
Oils to favor
- Almond oil
- Flax seed oil
- Mustard oil
- Olive oil
- Safflower oil
- Sesame seed oil
- Sunflower oil
Foods to avoid
Most of us don't crave these types of food during winter, but it is at least worth mentioning. Skip everything that is raw or (ice) cold during winter. Stay warm, and don't waste your precious digestive power on foods you won't be able to digest like a raw salad. Those are for hot summer days only. Switch your daily smoothie or yogurt bowl for a warm (rice) porridge, for example.
Daily oil massage
In Ayurveda, we call this practice abhyanga; it basically means self-application of a (herbal) oil to lubricate not only the outside but also nourish and lubricate the insides. This is often the quickest route to your organs and other parts of the body, especially when your digestive ability isn't optimal.
Use a warming oil like sesame seed.
Pour some on your hands and apply gently on your whole body (incl. scalp if you want). Leave it on for anywhere between 5-20 minutes then take a warm shower. (Make sure not to get cold in-between) Rinse off, and you will notice a film of oil staying behind. This will keep you warm throughout your day.
Keep your mind warm
To counter the seasonal melancholy, you will want to cultivate a sense of purpose during the cold, dark, grey days. Make sure to have fun and laugh (at yourself) from time to time; this will keep your mind warm.
Embrace a slower pace. Everything in nature is, so why wouldn't you? It is the perfect timing for some self-reflection and contemplation. Invite your higher self to align with your higher goal in life. But after all, the slowing down also create some opportunities to invite some excitement in your life. Enjoy some nice company, visit family or do something unexpected.
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