As the melting of ice and snow give way to the new growth of spring, our bodies go through a similar cycle of change. The body naturally prepares for warmer weather by metabolizing winter fats--our own detox cycle. As the fats are moved from the body, our circulatory and respitory channels can become clogged. Symptoms often include runny nose, sneezing, headaches, puffiness of the skin, and a general feeling of heaviness or loss of appetite. These are signs that the body is building up congestion.
Spring is Kapha season. The characteristics of Kapha are heavy, cool, wet, stable and building. You can observe these characteristics in nature and the body tends to mimic nature. To help the body stay balanced and not accumulate excess kapha throughout this seasonal transition, we need to incorporate the opposite characteristics into our everyday living. Here are some spring tips that support our natural balance.
Spring is Kapha season. The characteristics of Kapha are heavy, cool, wet, stable and building. You can observe these characteristics in nature and the body tends to mimic nature. To help the body stay balanced and not accumulate excess kapha throughout this seasonal transition, we need to incorporate the opposite characteristics into our everyday living. Here are some spring tips that support our natural balance.
- Move from eating the heavy, rich foods of winter to a lighter diet. Think bitter greens, seasonal vegetables like asparagus, peas, green beans, fruits, and lighter grains such as quinoa, barley or couscous.
- Avoid fried or processed foods, cold foods or cold drinks. Limit meat and dairy.
- Add pungent spices like black pepper, cayenne, cumin, cinnamon or ginger. The warming effect of these spices helps to increase your digestive fire and dry up excess moisture.
- Increase your physical activity. Some vigorous exercise will warm up the body and increase circulation.