Is Your Vata Dosha Balanced in Winter?

 

It’s cold in the Adelaide hills, especially in the morning and at night. I always feel like my body doesn’t like the weather changing from summer to autumn and then to winter. This last change is the hardest one of the year.

I also see that my clients’ feel the same. Many people start having stiff muscles, aches and dry skin. In Ayurveda, this means that their Vata Dosha might be unbalanced.

What is Vata?

In Ayurveda, Vata Dosha is responsible for movement, activity and our thinking processes. Vata is defined as light, fast and airy by nature. When this Dosha is balanced, we feel creative, light, inspired and energised. When it is aggravated, we feel fatigued and unable to stop the constant flow of thoughts. We also have dry skin, dry hair and eyes, constipation and lower back ache.

 To avoid aggravating Vata:

• Eat dinner early (at least 3 hours before sleep).
• Avoid eating dry or raw food (it’ll usually make your body dry or cooler).
• Avoid eating a heavy, spicy, or fatty meal for dinner. (While digesting, your body is active and you may be forced to stay awake because your belly is still working).
• Do not drink coffee less than 5 hours before bed.
• Do not drink ice-cold beverages before bed.
• Avoid watching TV or staring at a computer screen or a phone before sleep (bright lights activate your nervous system and increase Vata).

To balanced your body by reducing Vata:

• Rub sesame oil or Vata oil on your scalp and on the soles of your feet before going to bed. Massage the area gently for a few minutes. I recommend warming the oil slightly before applying.
• Drink a cup of warm almond milk or soy milk before bed. You can use plain milk if you prefer. Add a pinch of cardamom.
• Eat Vata-reducing food. These are warm, moist, and grounding.
• Entertain yourself by reading a good book or having a conversation with your family (instead of looking at an electronic screen).
• Take a bath to keep your body and mind calm.
• Have a nightly routine or bedtime ritual and stick to it.

Follow these steps to reduce Vata and put the winter blues behind you.