Winter Hibernation

No matter your prakruti, or unique constitution, we all can feel the effects of the winter season. With shorter days and less access to the sun, winter embodies kapha qualities; cold, heavy, slow, liquid. It is important to consider how we are managing our daily routine to balance the influence these qualities may have on our health. As we are in the thick of the holiday season, let’s add some light to our winter days!

 

1. Immune Support. Ayurvedic Rasayanas offers an incredible blend of herbs to support your immune system. Guduchi, the main ingredient in this formula, is one of the go-to herbs for liver support, healthy digestion, and removal of toxins in our bodies. Our immune systems can become weak during the winter months as the cold sets in. You can mix this rasayana in warm water for an enjoyable tea. Make sure to keep up with herbs and vitamins that support your immune system, like our old friend Vitamin C and D!
2. Physical movement. Do not forget to move your body! Under all these thick clothes and warm blankets, the kapha qualities of winter can make us stagnant. Try a brisk walk around the block or do three morning Sun Salutations. Moving the body can increase movement in our lymphatic system and promote proper flow of blood circulation. 
3. Warming, nourishing meals. Winter is a time to buck up our bodies and enforce nourishment. Root veggies are an excellent choice. Nourishing soups are another great option for winter days. Offering a healthy dose of minerals, cooked foods make it easy on our bodies to process and assimilate. That allows for more energy to be dispersed to keeping our bodies warm and immune system strong. 

 

I like to bake this simple veggie recipe on cold days: 

 

Set oven to 425 degrees. Rinse and cut: 2 white potatoes, 2 sweet potatoes, 2 broccoli heads, 3 peeled red beets, 3 carrots, large handful of brussels sprouts halved, 8 cloves of unpeeled garlic, drizzle olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper, rosemary, and thyme. Bake for 1 hour, stirring vegetables every 15 minutes until evenly roasted.

 

Wishing you all an amazing holiday season and happy new year! 

 

 

Beverly Foster is a certified Ayurvedic Practitioner and 500 hour Ayurvedic Yoga Instructor. She received her certification from The Ayurvedic Institute in 2016 under the clinical guidance of Dr. Vasant Lad and worked directly with him as one of his herbalists. She is also a board-certified National Ayurvedic Medical Association Professional Member. She currently lives in Southern Oregon where she offers consultations, including Zoom and phone appointments. For more information, questions, or to schedule a consultation, you can contact her via shineayurveda@gmail.com or visit her website at www.shineayurveda.com