From an Ayurvedic Perspective, weathering cold weather boils down to offsetting the Cold, Dry, Mobile and Constricting qualities of winter.
Grounding, nourishing, warming and expanding substances and activities help us to feel balanced, be vital, and strengthen immunity when we need it the most. We offer you 3 powerful Ayurvedic Self-Care tips for your fall/winter wellbeing.
Make an experiment. Try each one just once and see for yourself how good you feel!
1. Get oily. Remember that Ayurvedic practice called “Abyangha?” The one where you oil up and then jump into a hot shower? Oiling yourself regularly through the winter season is one of the very best ways to keep yourself healthy and happy. Now’s the time to enliven or start this practice. Here’s our How-To Youtube video
2. Get Ashwagandha. This wonder herb supports the immune system, calms and energizes the body without stimulating it, helps you adapt to stress, supports natural sleep cycles and strengthens the musculoskeletal system. Taking it through the winter season is just plain smart. Find it at your local health food store. Or Get it here.
3. Take a moment to Breath. In fact, take 5 minutes. Twice a day. TIME magazine recently published THIS ARTICLE about an ancient Ayurvedic/Yogic practice called “Alternate Nostril Breathing.” In it, Dr. Andrew Weil says “Many researchers can’t imagine how something so simple could actually have effects on physiology.” What effects? The practice can help control blood pressure, improve heart rate, make arteries more flexible and activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which tamps down the body’s fight-or-flight response to stress. Doing this for 5 minutes 2x/day (morning and night) will dramatically change how you feel for the better. People who hate to meditate LOVE alternate nostril breathing. Here’s a 3 minute How-To Video.
