Easy Ayurvedic tips to stay healthy in winter
In Ayurveda span of a year is divided in six seasons & a special seasonal regimes are advocated for each season to maintain the health throughout the year. We have already seen two of these seasonal regimes for rainy & autumn season respectively. Now it’s time for Hemant Rutu (Winter/ Fall winter). This season is considered from Mid November to Mid January.
What Changes In Hemant Rutu?
– Atmosphere becomes cold.
– Pores of skin & blood vessels get constricted, due to the effect of cold. It prevents heat loss from the body.
– Digestive fire (Agni) gets trapped in the body like in a closed chamber & becomes strong, resulting into increased appetite & digestion. Hence the strength & immunity of the body also increases.
-The nights are longer than day, resulting in increased early morning hunger.
– If the adequate amount & quality of food is not taken in this season, increased appetite & digestion process absorbs the intrinsic fluids & elements of the body. Lifestyle modification if not done right then disturbs the overall health.
Here are the easy diet & lifestyle modifications that will enable you to enjoy this healthy season;
Diet in Hemant Rutu
DO’S:
Food mainly of sour, salty & sweet taste like sugarcane juice, jaggery etc.
Unctuous food like Ghee & sesame oil, coconut oil etc.
Milk & milk products: milk, buttermilk, butter,curd, ghee & delicacies made from milk like Kheer, Phirani, Basundi etc.
Cereals: dishes made of newly harvested Rice & wheat.
Pulses: black gram, peas,horse gram, green gram etc.
Vegetables: Onion, cabbage, flower, bottle gourd, ivy gourd, drum sticks, sweet potato, potato, radish, carrot & beetroot.Dishes like Carrot Halwa (Gajar ka halwa) made in cow ghee can be relished upon in this season.
Fruits: all seasonal fruits, apple, chikoo, banana, guava, pomegranate, oranges
Dry fruits: dates, pistachios, cashews, almond, figs
Nonveg: soups cooked by using ghee & roasted meat.
Water : warm water should be used for drinking throughout the season.
DONT’S:
Intake of food in inadequate quantity
Drinking cold water & other cold drinks
Eating cold, stale, refrigerated food
Eating spicy & fermented food.
Lifestyle In Hemant Rutu
DO’S:
This season is best to restore your bodily strength & gain some new for the coming seasons. So, do the Exercise, Pranayam & Yoga daily.
Whole body & head massage daily with warm oil followed by applying Ubtan (Light powder massage) before bath.
Use hot water for bathing & for other chores throughout the day.
Keep the house warm; spend time in inner rooms of the house.
Wear warm clothes, use of proper sweaters, winter caps, socks & shoes etc.
Beds, seats should be covered with thick sheets, quilts.
Sunbath can be enjoyed throughout the season.
DONT’S:
Daytime sleep
Sleeping late in the night
Exposure to cold winds
Though Ayurveda has suggested different seasonal regimes for each season it also advocates shifting from one regime to another gradually because any abrupt change in diet & lifestyle can sometimes cause health issues. So, play your favorite sports, do some exercise, eat plenty & healthy. Modify your diet & lifestyle with the natural seasonal changes and be healthier.
“STAY WARM STAY HEALTHY”