Seasonal Respiratory Support with Ayurveda Spring Seasonal Routine
Ayurveda, the holistic “science of life,” is primarily about striking a balance and empowering your internal environment (the body and mind) to work amicably and harmoniously with your external environment. Ancient science highly advocates that living in sync with the seasons is one of the best ways to help support health and well-being. It also helps to balance the immune system, digestive fire, and our state of Doshas.
As each person has a predominant dosha, different daily time intervals and seasons are also governed by a particular Dosha. Spring is a season linked to Kapha as per ayurveda, with the qualities of moistness, heaviness, abundance, and lethargy. It is related to the elements of earth and water.
Many people experience colds, congestion, hay fever, and allergies during spring. However, following a seasonal Ayurvedic Spring routine can help you overcome these challenges and promote optimal health. By doing so, you can fully enjoy the gifts that this season has to offer.
Here are daily Ayurvedic practices and tips to help you balance your internal clock, embrace the essence of spring, and achieve optimal health and well-being during spring allergy season.
Cleanse and Detoxify: As per Ayurveda, spring is the perfect time to cleanse and rejuvenate yourself. Ayurveda recommends nourishing and internalizing the body during Winter’s Vata time. However, as we move towards the Kapha season, “spring,” it’s an ideal time to adopt Ayurvedic cleansing practices to eliminate toxins and feel refreshed.
An Ayurvedic Spring cleanse generally involves a mono-diet of moong dal khichdi with some herbal decoctions. You can also try a clean diet, avoiding raw food, intermittent fasting, cutting out sugars and processed foods, abstaining from frequent snacking, or simply reducing caffeine to allow your body to get rid of unnecessary toxins. Consider incorporating cleansing rituals such as drinking warm water with lemon in the morning or enjoying detoxifying herbal teas like ginger and turmeric. During the cleansing process, make sure to rest as much as possible.
Eat Seasonally: Embrace Spring’s abundance of seasonal fruits and vegetables. Opt for lighter, easily digestible foods like leafy greens, sprouts, and berries. Minimize heavy, oily, and processed foods to help balance Kapha dosha and support your body’s natural detoxification processes.
Move and Exercise: Take advantage of the longer daylight hours and mild weather by engaging in outdoor activities like walking, hiking, or practicing yoga in nature. Movement helps stimulate circulation, improve lymphatic flow, and uplift your mood, promoting a sense of vitality and well-being.
Mindful Self-Care: Cultivate mindfulness and self-care practices to nurture your body, mind, and spirit. Incorporate daily routines such as dry brushing, oil massage (abhyanga), meditation, and deep breathing exercises to promote relaxation, reduce stress, and enhance overall vitality.
Dry Brushing or Gharshan
Garshana is a great Ayurvedic therapy for skin detoxification. Dry brushing helps alleviate the buildup of toxins caused by dosha imbalance. It’s perfect for the transitioning weather and spring, the Kapha season, when toxins build up.
Dry brushing stimulates circulation in your skin, muscles, and fat tissue, leaving your skin soft and smooth. It also detoxifies and cleanses your lymphatic system, making you feel lighter and energized.
Stay Hydrated: Hydration is key to optimal health and vitality, especially as temperatures rise. Drink plenty of warm water throughout the day to stay hydrated and support proper digestion, detoxification, and cellular function.
Wake up during brahmamuhurta
Brahmamuhurta or Amrit vela—the ambrosial hours— God’s Hours is the morning period an hour and a half before sunrise. After a good night’s sleep, the mind is refreshed, calm, and serene. There is a preponderance of sattva or purity in mind at this time and in the atmosphere. Sleeping later than 6:00 a.m. causes Kapha imbalance, communication channels to be clogged with impurities, leading to a dull mind, depressed moods, and slow communication between heart, soul & mind. Right after waking, look at your hands briefly, then quietly move them over your face and chest. This cleans the aura, and it symbolizes honest labor.
Nasya And Steaming
Nasya Oil is a traditional element of a healthy daily routine. It offers numerous benefits, such as moisturizing the inside of your nose, soothing and protecting the nasal passages, and relieving stagnant sinuses. Additionally, it helps to release tension in the head and soothe accumulated stress. This practice promotes unobstructed breathing, clears the respiratory tract, dispels mucous, and supports respiratory health. If followed by steaming once a week, it can lead to proper cleansing and overall well-being.
By embracing these time-tested Ayurvedic seasonal practices, you can cleanse, rejuvenate, and relish the life-giving nature of spring. Take care of yourself and indulge in self-care practices to feel refreshed and energized this season. As you embark on your Spring wellness journey, remember to listen to your body’s innate wisdom and honor its needs with love and compassion.
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