Staying Grounded During the Winter Season
The late fall and winter period corresponds to the Ayurveda mind-body principles of “Vata season” because it is comprised of the same qualities that characterize Vata: cold, moving, dry and changeable. If these elements are in balance, then it is much easier for a person to thrive in the fall and winter season. However, an individual can easily accumulate too much Vata if they do not engage in practices to maintain the balance. Imbalances may manifest into physical and/or emotional symptoms, such as dry skin, anxiety, depression, insomnia and a general feeling of not being grounded.
Since we are all susceptible to too much Vata, we need to be particularly vigilant about staying in balance during the fall and winter seasons. The following are a few, simple ways to help keep you balanced and grounded during these colder months.
It is recommended that you increase your intake of root vegetables and drink plenty of warm fluids in the form of teas, soups, and warm water
Some Common Root Vegetables are:
Celeriac (a.k.a. Celery Root)
These vegetables can be added to just about any dish including soups, casseroles, or by themselves.
One of our favorite soup recipes is this Roasted Parsnip & Garlic Soup. It is great tasting and chock full of root vegetables. You will find this recipe and others at the following link:
http://blog.drsalzarulo.com/2012/11/12/roasted-parsnip-and-garlic-soup-with-mushrooms/
Sipping warm tea is another activity that greatly helps to reduce excess Vata. There are many companies that make Vata balancing teas. One of our favorites is Vata Tea by VPK.
Another great Vata balancing drink is an Ayurvedic recipe called Ghee Milk. It is warm, delicious, and easy to make. You will find this recipe at the following link: http://blog.drsalzarulo.com/2012/11/29/ghee-milk/
My final recommendation is daily abhyanga (oil massage). It is best to perform this massage in the evenings right before going to bed. Ayurvedic medicine recommends sesame oil, but a mixture that includes coconut or almond oil is also fine. Massage each foot for 1-2 minutes with approximately 1 teaspoon of oil. This will help ground the Vata energy that you accumulate throughout the day as well as help you to have a more restful sleep.
Remember, the best defense is an early defense, so use these tools to proactively care for your health.
Please share this with everyone who will benefit from this!
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