UP, DOWN, AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN: THIS SEASON
/The wheels are turning and like a rollercoaster, we are beginning to head to the top where we plunge on a momentum that speedily takes us into the upcoming months filled with festivities.
This is the Vata type of year (early Fall to the beginning of winter). Qualities of dry, cold, light, and mobile. These are the exact factors that can cause Vata to elevate in all of us. We get busy with meetings and holidays. We see increased strain, sensitivity, sleep disturbances, digestive disturbances such as gas, bloating, mild-chronic constipation, anxiety, dry skin (internally and externally), allergies (due to dryness and issues with digestion), and SAD which affects mostly Vata/Kapha types more than Pitta, because Pitta is about fire, metabolism, and circulation and therefore not normally prone to SAD but if Pitta is too pushy it can cause depletion of hormones which regulate mood.
Here are some simple Tidbits:
1) Oil up!
a) Sinus passages with Nasya or simple ghee, daily, nightly.
b) A drop of ghee or sesame oil (warmed slightly) in each ear before bed.
c) Oil pulling each morning before breakfast and after brushing. 2tbs. of sesame oil (Vata/Kapha) or Coconut (Pitta)
d) A drop of ghee in each eye (slightly warmed) before bed.
e) Self-massage with constitutionally appropriate oil, before the shower. Banyan has a simple formula.
f) Warm baths regularly and even before bed to help calm the nervous system and support sleep. Add epsom salt (2 cups) with lavender oil (30 drops) essential oil.
g) Here's a simple recipe to cut the edge of stress/anxiety/dryness/sleep:
2) Simple food for thought...thoughts:
a) Forget what you heard! Breakfast is not the most important meal of the day. Lunch is!
b) Chew more, eat less. Less food is better than more food in one sitting.
c) If you're not hungry for breakfast....DON'T eat! Have tea or a light soup/broth.
d) Minimize/avoid snacking so that the body's metabolism can burn fat instead of store it! Drink tea instead.
e) If you are having cravings, question whether they are due to an inadequate meal at lunch. Or, if you stayed up late. Or, if you're lacking something from your overall diet. Or, if you aren't properly hydrated.
3) Issues with bowel movements? Evaluating any of the below categories will start leading you in the better direction, even before herbs/supplements.
a) Do you have enough fiber in the diet? Or too much, if you're Kapha?
b) Do you have enough oils in your diet?
c) Are you hydrating enough?
4) MOOD CHANGES? With less sunlight exposure and other biochemical reasons, SAD takes its toll on many this time of year.
a) Vitamin D supplement. Average 5000-8000 IU daily.
b) Color therapy, with red/gold/yellow, green, and orange.
c) How is the liver? If it's working under stress then converting Vitamin D leftover from the summer can be challenging. If the liver is boggy/stagnant, then there will be mood-related issues.
Here are some past articles that are a must read:
DIGESTION AND PREVENTING DISEASE
CATCH DRYNESS BEFORE IT CATCHES YOU
CATCH A COLD BEFORE IT CATCHES YOU
DISCLAIMER: This information is meant for educational purposes only and not considered medical advice. Any changes in lifestyle should be reviewed with a qualified practitioner and/or primary care physician if you are currently under their care for specific conditions.