FEELING HEAVY THIS TIME OF YEAR?
/We are slowly creeping out of the depths of winter, and the sun’s rays last a little longer with each day that passes. This is the time of year where we tend to feel the heaviest, and some more than others. Upper respiratory issues become more prevalent, digestion can feel sluggish, and overall tiredness can occur.
Here are some suggestions, per Ayurvedic wisdom, to help get things moving.
1) Choose your grains and beans wisely. Barley, dried/aged wheat, cornmeal and millet are great choices to cook with. Lentils, mung, urad dal, kidney beans, and black beans are nice. Beans, in general, are great.
2) Emphasize these three tastes, bitter, pungent, and astringent. Spices, such as turmeric, ginger, cayenne, oregano, parsley, and basil. Increase bitter, pungent, and astringent veggies such as broccoli rabe, collard greens, kale, spinach, and arugula. Dark leafy greens, and some yellow vegetables.
3) Get up earlier. The later you stay in bed, past 6 am, the heavier you will feel in your body and digestion. In fact, sleeping late can disrupt metabolism. (So can staying up late.) Avoid daytime sleeping, in most cases unless you have a nighttime job, are a child, or in your senior years, are ill, or are a parent to younger children.
4) Keep it moving. Increase cardiovascular activities. Go hiking, walking, gym activities such as Zumba, dance, martial arts, and even an elliptical. Exercise to your individual capacity and see if you can have access to some proper steam, whether dry or humid, depending on constitutional needs.
5) Massage does a body good. Dry brushing, exfoliating, lymphatic massage, even a general massage, garshana, followed by a steam box or dry steam, and even infrared therapy.
6) Neti pot when congested. Nasya oil (that is appropriate for your constitution) can be beneficial for upper respiratory congestion. Sinus treatments with steam, as well.
7) Keep it heated. Warm and cooked foods. Stimulating spices. Hot beverages. Ginger (fresh -for Vata and Pitta more or dry-for more Kapha) tea can go a long way on an empty stomach. Grilling and roasting are better than frying, steaming, baking foods.
8) Natural “Intermittent Fasting” times occur each day and can be followed. Notice the gap between breakfast and lunch, between lunch and dinner, and the long stretch of a gap between dinner and breakfast. Avoid snacking, especially if you are feeling heavy and sluggish. Make sure the meals themselves are packed with goodness so that this decreases cravings for something in between. Avoid overeating, over-drinking, heavy/cold/frozen/icy anything, like smoothies, desserts like cheesecake and cannolis. But NO detoxing or major fasting, yet, and not for everyone. Eating lighter meals can be beneficial for someone feeling heavy in their body.
9) Manage your stress. Get a massage. Go for a walk. Take a yoga class like restorative, yin, kundalini, vinyasa depending on your level of stress/need, and constitutional considerations. Rest properly. Meditate daily/regularly. Connect with nature. Spend time with loving friends. Find joy! Explore hobbies like ceramics, rock climbing, painting (with a twist if applicable), cooking, baking, reading, home projects, and even decorating/redecorating.
DISCLAIMER: This information is meant for educational purposes only. Any changes in lifestyle should be reviewed with a qualified practitioner and primary care physician if you are currently under their care for specific conditions.