This guest post comes from our contributor FP Naomi.
Winter is Vata season when the world becomes cold and dry. It’s important to warm and hydrate both from the inside out and from the outside in to stay in balance. It’s not so much a season to change it up, but rather a time to calm the Vata, and follow a routine. I’ve been keeping certain things in mind and incorporating little changes that you can do, too. It’s not so much about trying to make new habits, but more about letting yourself indulge in what naturally feels good. Here’s a little rundown of what I’m doing. Give it a read, and hopefully you will find something that you can apply, too.
Set a Routine: Vata is quick and changeable, so to balance that out, we want to find a routine that works for us. I’ll be the first to admit that doing so is tough. You have a birthday one night and errands to run the next. But what things can you stick to each and every day? For me, it’s a bit of stretching, if not a full yoga class, in the morning. Maybe you can stick to one breakfast for the duration of the winter, or always write in your journal before bed. Whatever it is, try to make life melodic and smooth in these winter months.
Moisturize Hair & Skin from the Outside In: We all know that winter dries our bodies out. For me, I experience this especially with my hair and skin. To combat the drying, I add oily Kapha elements from the outside in. There are so many natural moisturizing agents out there (coconut oil, shea butter, almond oil, etc.), but what’s important is that you use something. I sometimes find myself going on a run in the evening, so I’ll rub coconut oil into the bottoms of my hair before I do. When I get home I take a shower to wash it out. Not only does the coconut oil block the damage of the wind while I’m running, but it also helps to moisturize like a hair mask. There are a lot of other great ideas for homemade hair masks and dry skin treatments right on this here blog.
Stick to Warm Foods: So your hair & skin dry out in winter, but guess what — your insides do, too. The Vata energy tends to make organs cold and dry, so to counteract this, you should stick to Kapha (warm & oily) foods. Instead of raw, eat cooked vegetables, add ghee or olive oil to a dish, avoid crisp apples, and start the morning off with a warming tea. Just remember, we’re trying to maintain a balance, don’t over-do it with the oils and don’t feel bad if you eat something raw! Only add in a small amount of warm oily foods to coat and protect your organs. It’s still important to eat raw food for the high nutrition value.
Choose Warming Scents: A lot of people forget how impactful scent is on our overall energy and mood. While in the summer we tend to gravitate towards scents like mint and tea tree for personal care items, think about picking a warmer scent in winter. Recently, I picked up an herbal shampoo & conditioner with a spicier cinnamon smell to it. I’ve been loving the scent for winter, as it makes me feel warm and cozy after hopping out of the shower. The same applies for candles and perfumes – stick to something with warm notes to it.
Visit Naomi’s blog Numie Abbot.
More Ayurveda posts from the BLDG 25 Blog.
I love the Ayurveda journal, I look forward to each entry each week, this is definitely my favourite part of the blog, all the little bits and pieces we can change and swap, to create a more zen lifestyle
Just to say, I am in love with these posts, since reading them I have done LOADs of research into Ayurveda and have to say its brilliant. There are so many things in Ayurveda that i can identify with my own life and issues!
I Wish i lived near the centre that you are attending! :) I look forward to reading more of these posts, Thank you :) x
What type of shampoo are you using that smells herbal and like spicy cinnamon?
yes, im eager to know what kind of shampoo that is too!
Jade & Megan – The shampoo is by Nature’s Gate and the scent is “herbal.” I love it!
This is so helpful. I absolutely adore this. I definitely am going to be taking these suggestions!
xo, Juliette Laura
http://juliettelaura.blogspot.com
Putting coconut oil at the ends of your hair before you go running is a great idea. I run every night and have really long hair that i want to keep looking healthy. So going to do this tonight
Healthy soup and chocolate moisturizers are the best option to keep your self warm and charming in winters
Those are the hot tips to deal with a cool winter, ayurveda absolutely has a large variety of solutions when comes to human health