Ahhh spring! Can you start to feel it? Green grass pokes through the snow, birds start returning, the sun shines brighter, days grow longer, and perhaps you feel a giddy anticipation within you of the coming seasonal change. Along with this excitement, springtime for many can be quite challenging. Whether you’re subject to colds, allergies, sinus infections, you name it – spring can be as difficult as it is lovely. Why is that? Luckily, Ayurveda offers both the answer and solution!
Ayurveda, the world’s oldest medical science, describes everything in terms of the doshas (or constitutions) of Vata, Pitta, and Kapha: our body type, psychology, the time of day, time of our life, foods we eat, the seasons, and more. In terms of seasons, Pitta is mostly fire and associated with summer. The wind and air elements make up Vata and relate to the season of fall and early winter. Lastly, Kapha is of the earth and water elements and comprises late winter and spring. Spring mimics the qualities of Kapha: heavy, stable, cold, smooth, oily, dense, soft, cloudy, and gross.
As a microcosm of the macrocosm, we need to adjust our diet and routines along with the seasons in order to flow with them in harmony and ease. According to Ayurveda, diseases generate most often in between seasons, called rtusandhi. These junctions, lasting about 15 days, are very vulnerable times and can be seen with an increase of illness such as flu when fall turns to winter, and allergies and colds when winter turns to spring. This is the critical time when we want to make seasonal changes, but not abruptly. Other junctions in human life include the menstrual cycle, dawn and dusk, menarche, menopause, puberty, etc., which also causes vulnerability in the body. It is especially important to pay attention to all of these junctions. Knowing your constitution and adopting Ayurvedic seasonal routines can help you stay well amidst the changes that could otherwise cause imbalance or illness. The key is also to listen to your body. Does it really feel good to eat ice cream or salads in winter? Or a hot bowl of soup in the summertime? Probably not.
Start by paying attention to the qualities of the season. For example, when spring starts to bloom new life and growth, it is damp but still cool and everything gets melty. These classic Kapha qualities contribute to colds, runny noses, lung congestion, and allergies. Late spring may bring even more issues such as allergies and sinus irritation. Remember, in Ayurveda, like increases like & opposites balance. The increase in Kapha in the environment will increase Kapha within us.
In order to stay healthy, make seasonal adjustments in diet and lifestyle to control Kapha in the late winter and spring. Let’s explore what some of these Kapha pacifying tips are to prepare for spring:
Favor:
- A Kapha soothing diet:
- Food with opposite qualities: hot, dry, & light
- Bitter foods such as dandelion, greens, & leeks
- Foods that are baked, broiled, and grilled (vs boiled or fried)
- Warm foods over cold
- Warming spices (Black pepper, ginger, turmeric, cinnamon, & cloves)
- Warming oils for massage (sesame or mustard)
Avoid:
- Oily foods (cheese, ice cream)
- Heavy foods such as dairy and wheat
- Sugar
- Daytime sleep
- Cold foods and beverages
In addition, favor:
- Dressing in warm, bright colors (yellows, oranges, etc.)
- Invigorating fragrances such as eucalyptus
- Yoga practices such as sun salutations
- Pranayam such as bhastrika
- Nasya oil for the sinuses
- Steam inhalation
- Vigorous exercise
Consider an Ayurvedic cleanse or detox to prevent Kapha from getting out of control. This may be as simple as a 3-5 day mono-diet of kitchari to stabilize and strengthen the digestive tract so it may handle the expected increase in Kapha in the coming days of the season change. Intermittent fasting may be helpful as well. The classic Ayurveda way of fasting aligns with its daily routine and rhythm practice of an earlier, lighter dinner. Finish eating by around 6pm, giving yourself plenty of time before bed to digest your meal. Do not eat anything else after dinner and your first meal the next day can be between 6:30-8am. This is the general rule of fasting for most people but any other extensive detoxification or fasting should be done in consultation with a professional.
Listening to your body, noticing what’s happening in the environment, and following some simple adjustments to your diet and lifestyle can profoundly change how you experience life in general, but more specifically the change of season. Have a wonderful spring!
Tiffany is an Ayurvedic Practitioner, Kundalini yogi teacher, and Reiki master in Southern MN. For Tiffany and her family, Ayurveda became foundational for how to live the best life possible not only physically but mentally, emotionally, and spiritually as well. She practices yoga not only as a physical exercise but primarily to embrace the lifestyle and philosophy behind the vast and ancient teachings. She is the owner of Om Shanti Wellness LLC, a healing practice focused on Ayurvedic consultations, Reiki, Kundalini yoga, meditation, and hand-crafted aromatherapy wellness products.
