Kapha season extends from frigid winter days, when the ground freezes solid into the beginning of spring where flowers begin to blossom. These conditions, particularly in winter disturb kapha dosha's heavy, dense, wet, stable qualities.
This can cause a kapha imbalance in some, particularly If your prakriti or constitution is predominantly kapha, when you come into winter you may show signs of a kapha imbalance.
According to Ayurveda, living in alignment with the seasons is one of the best ways to help support wellbeing and health, helping to balance the immune system, digestion, and each person’s dosha. There are three doshas: vata, pitta, and kapha. To learn more about them and discover your own, take our dosha quiz.
Nature invites us to hibernate and recoup our energies during winter months, yet for many, this busy time of year demands we charge through, even when neither mind nor body feels ready or able.
This manifests as feeling physically and emotionally depleted, lacking in motivation and unable to move on.
An excess of kapha energy can manifest in:
This season, to stay in balance, Ayurveda suggests adding a few lifestyle, dietary and herbal additions to your routine to help reduce/pacify Kapha. One key thing overall is to stick to routine, to keep moving so that lethargy and depressive tendencies stay at bay.
GO LIGHTER
Make sure that lunch is your big meal of the day, so you aren't asking your body to digest a big meal during sluggish kapha times like early morning or evening. Food should be well cooked, not raw for the most part.
SPICE UP YOUR LIFE
Food can be spicier this time of year and it's also good to add bitter and astringent tastes.
Add ginger and turmeric to your favoured-spices list, and sprinkle some of the Strength & Spirit Plant Alchemy kapha balancing Ayurvedic blend onto your meals.
STRENGTHEN IMMUNITY AND KEEP WARM
Keep your drinks, either room temperature or warm, freshly cooked meals and light and warm foods like mung daal. Perhaps start your morning with our blend of Strength & Spirit Alchemy to power metabolism, strengthen immunity, stabilise blood sugar levels and uplift the senses.
GOODBYE FRIED FOOD
Stay away from deep fried foods, processed foods and oily foods. These are the ones that you may crave during this kapha season, but these are the foods to avoid, especially avoiding overeating.
GET ACTIVE
An energetic routine. Avoid stagnation. Heating, energy-enhancing postures like navasana, twists, backbends, and sun salutations can help relieve feelings of sluggishness. Pranayama techniques like surya bhedana (right nostril breathing) are also warming and stimulating.
CLEANSE
Now is a great time to consider doing a simple Spring Cleanse. An Ayurvedic cleanse is an easy way to buffer your health and protect your well-being for the coming months and beyond.
MASSAGE
A 10–20 minute self-massage daily - Abhyanga Body massage with Mauli’s Spirited Body Oil: to alleviate lethargy, flu-like symptoms and revive the senses when feeling low and listless. This rejuvenating oil helps boost a sluggish metabolism, ease joint pain, alleviate sinus and respiratory symptoms; condition skin and awaken a loving heart.
DIET
To support mental flexibility and motivation consider a herbal tea with tulsi herbs, lemon balm leaves, and honey bush to bolster inner strength, so you can better combat lethargy, flu-like symptoms and frayed emotions. As you sip you warm tea, we suggest you close your eyes and take some deep breathes to clear your sinuses and sharpen your mind. To support healthy elimination consider using a superfood booster like Triphala to help ignite the agni/digestive fire,
It may be helpful to learn more about kapha so that you can understand why following these simple guidelines really can help. Read more here.
Or create your own 4 step dinacharya (Ayurvedic daily routine) ritual here and get 15% off your bespoke bundle.
Enjoy the season, stay positive and surround yourself with things and people you love.
