By Felicia Robey, Ayurvedic Practitioner in Manly
Nature literally tells us each season what the body needs, all we need to do is connect to it and Ayurveda teaches us how.
Ayurveda, the traditional medicine of India, supports wellbeing, better digestion, better sleep and overall health by encouraging lifestyles that align to the seasons. Our Ayurvedic practitioner tells us how to align to Winter.
Ayurvedic Tips for Winter Wellbeing
1. Eat a little more, and slightly richer food (hello more ghee and oats)
As it gets colder and darker here in Australia, it’s important to adjust our lifestyles and strengthen our immune systems.
Cold weather actually increases digestive power, called Agni in Ayurveda. We absorb more nutrients than in any other season and we are naturally supposed to put on around 3 kilos to support the body.
2. Focus on the foods in season
Focus on getting a combination of foods that are high in vitamin C, antiviral and natural immune boosters. Often these are seasonally available, nature again provides and tells us exactly what we need right now. For example, root vegetables like sweet potato, pumpkin and turnip or citrus fruits like oranges and grapefruit.
3. Think Soups, Casseroles, Slow Cooked and Roasted.
Raw foods like salads and juices add cold to cold and cause the body to work harder to digest which can really throws the body off balance in Winter. Working harder to digest means the body has less energy to fight off colds and flus. It can more easily get run down. Ayurveda recommends focusing on warm, nourishing, hearty and liquid foods throughout Winter.
4. It’s important to rest more
All of nature hibernates through Winter to restore, and we need to as well. Give yourself the extra hour to sleep in in the morning. Have less nights out in the cold. Give yourself this time to rejuvenate, you deserve it.
5. Keep warm and cover up
It’s important to protect the neck, head, hands and feet especially. Too much cold causes our bodies to get stiff, dry and immoble, causing a host of other issues. Warm oil massage can remedy the stiffness of the season.
6. Drink more (warm-hot) liquids
It’s always good to stay hydrated, but in Winter focus on drinking warm to hot liquids and water. I add fresh squeezed citrus to thermos warm-hot spring water and refill all day.
7. Exercise Regularly
Building your own internal body heat supports organ function, blood circulation, as well as lympatic and respiratory circulation so important for good immunity. Make sure you rug up afterwards especially if you are sweating.
8. Ayurvedic Remedy for Coughs & Colds
Take Manuka honey, pineapple juice and marshmallow root for coughs and congestion. Reach for herbs before cough and congestion lollies (literally sugar lolly). Steam the face and chest with fresh rosemary and eucalyptus.
The body and nature tells us what we need- stop ignoring them, listen and connect.