4 Ways to prepare your body for spring
Summer means warm/humid, fall means cooler temps and falling leaves, winter means snow and shorter days. The spring awakens us to days which begin to lengthen but aren’t as packed with the solar energy of our summer months. According to ayurveda, spring season is a time of #kapha dosha, comprised of the elements earth and water- the earth is waking up, but doing so slowly. I may be simplifying here, but this is good news for us vata’s out there: kapha energy is very grounding.
4 Ways to prepare your body for spring;
Take. It. Easy. Oh, the inclination to clean everything or cleanse your home or yard on one beautiful day. Our bodies are waking up, and so is the earth; we recognize this physiologically, but this process must be completed slowly. Invite more activity by breaking large projects into smaller steps, especially ones that require physical/strength energy.
Drink Water. You hear this all the time. Half of your body weight, in ounces of water every day. Try to get half of that before noon. Ayurveda recommends this water to be warm, with honey if you’d like. Those of us who have allergies or are prone to congestion, as your body begins to move through its own process of “thawing”, we need to support this process with more fluids so the body can flush out what’s been stagnant. As a bonus, local (to you) raw honey is said to help ease seasonal allergies.
Find a simple routine, and stick to it. Morning routines that involve gratitude and nourishment set a great pace for the day. Nourishment can look like: warm tea, nut butter with some fruit, or some movement. Throughout the day, balanced meals may include steamed/lightly sauteed vegetables with whole grain rice, with your choice of protein.
Eat lighter, fresher foods. If you feel drawn toward vegetables, fruits, and clean eating (think also: less warm, less heavy/oily foods), make sure you strike a balance between eating these raw and warmed, and in moderation. Sometimes the urge to “cleanse” is so strong that we over-indulge with cold foods, which can aggravate that underlying “thawing” energy that spring brings. Spices are always welcomed in any amount (just don’t make anything too spicy); think of eating things that taste bitter and a little spicy.
Breathe with intention. Alternate-nostril breathing invites balance to the left and right sides of our nasal passages and helps to calm the mind when we focus on the inhale/exhale. If you aren’t sure how to do this or would like to learn more, check out this video or sign up for my 7-Day Breathing Series.
Until next time, loves. Yours in health, with lots of love,
Dr. Rebecca
