Winter
I trust this blog finds you flowing through your weeks.
It's hard to believe Winter is here in the southern hemisphere. Watching the sunrise on the 1st June, it reminded me how quickly time and change in nature occurs. That noticing and flowing with these changes can positively support our health on many levels and that this is something which can be forgotten in a busy life.
Winter is a time of reflection, hibernation, shorter days and hopefully a slower pace. I thought perhaps a few tips from the incredible “sister sciences” of Ayurveda and Yoga may help you in your immunity and health during this winter.
Veda sees winter as “Kapha” month. Meaning qualities of cold, damp, cool and moist are dominant. It also shares the philosophy of “like attracts like.” Meaning, if you add more cold to something which is cold it gets colder. Common sense right? Well that is the funny thing we do not think of our gut, lungs, respiratory or mind in this way. We often eat the same types of foods or practice the same habits/exercise all year round, giving little thought to the outer environment and temperature changes.
Immunity comes from the gut and keeping the environment balanced delivers optimal health. Like goldilocks and the three bear's porridge, we don’t want it too cold, or too hot, we want it just right.
What steps can we take to create optimal health?
Here are some simple tips to support -
Begin each upon morning with three deep exhalations to clear the lungs of stale air and ensure to wake the diaphragm.
Brush teeth on rising to remove toxic build up on the teeth. Want to know more? Email admin@alligarison.com
Take in the morning sunlight to help with mental/emotional health and eyesight. Watching the new day can create a deep feeling of calm and connection and give you the extra resilience you are looking for.
Eucalyptus steam inhalation (yes that good old practice) is wonderful for clearing and keeping our respiratory system in optimal health.
Ensure to eat and drink warm nourishing foods to ensure a good temperature and environment in the gut and respiratory systems.
Avoid cold damp foods such as yoghurt, cheeses, carbonated drinks. Occasionally are fine but if they are part of your everyday diet with the colder weather now upon us, it is only a matter of time until too much cold, damp builds up and harvests deeper respiratory or immunity issues.
Spend a few moments several times through your day and take 3 mindful breaths in and out the nose. We often forget to breathe well and this can build mucus in the system and harvest disease.
Regular sleep. Try as best to wake and sleep close to the same time each day. Winter has shorter days to reflect a quieter pace, a time of nourishment, nurturing and rejuvenation. Regular sleep is incredibly important for immunity and the body’s ability to heal.
Adopting some of these suggestions will support your immunity, health and general wellbeing.
Prevention of illness, through creating awareness of proactive, positive habits will always be an empowered step in your physical, mental and emotional health. If you have any questions email admin@alligarison.com
Have an inspirational week.
Alli
xo