Ask the Ayurved
Contributed by Atibala Thorpe
How does Ayurveda view seasonal shifts and the effects they have on our bodies?
Of all the indications that a season has commenced such as astrology or the date on the calendar, the character and intensity of the season itself are the most important. This is what causes changes in our bodies. In most places Winter comes with the promise of chilly air. During Winter, those with a slender build who tend toward cold will experience these qualitative effects in a more intense way. Summer compels all creatures to find a shady spot and wait out the cruel rays of the sun. It has a particular effect on those who are already “hot and bothered”. Each season bears down upon the Earth with its certain character, maligning those who are already pushed in a similar direction.
Because of the angle of Earth’s axis to the Sun, one side of the planet experiences colder conditions while the other side will experience warmer conditions. In tropical areas, and those near the equator, there are usually two (dry and rainy) or three (cold, hot, rainy) seasons, which have minor fluctuations that define the season. The further away from the equator one gets the more distinct these shifts become. It is these variations which indicate the need to adjust our habits and practices in order to maintain balance. This is why our reactions to a season, rather than calendrical dates, are given the most importance in Ayurveda.
In general when a region experiences their Winter there is a period of increased dryness and cold as the moisture from our bodies is lost to the environment. That moisture is experienced as more intense cold which is then liquified as Spring commences. Summer follows with its heating and drying forces which evaporate the now liquid surroundings, laying the path for showers which pour down to nourish the soil. For every season there is a set of circumstances that nature provides as a platform for co-existence, which is why it is important to apply the right ayurvedic principles according to the presiding signs of any individual season.
It is winter where I live. How can I maintain my health and well-being during this season?
Get the right amount of sun. This is especially important in places where the days become very short. Our bodies manufacture vitamin D in our skin when in contact with sunlight (cholesterol is converted into vitamin D), and there is a link between vitamin D deficiency and seasonal melancholy. Classically, both sunbathing and a heavier, oilier diet are recommended in winter.
Cover the vital spots. Wearing half shirts, low cut tops, and leaving the ears exposed are unwise when the bitter winds offer icy abrasiveness. The throat, ears, and abdomen are most susceptible to the effects of wind. Scarves, sweaters, ear muffs, hats, and buttoned jackets are all simple ways of avoiding invasions of coldness. Even in places where the winter is not as extreme, protecting oneself even if it means wearing pants instead of shorts, is recommended.
Above all, staying indoors as much as possible, eating food prepared by loved ones and spending time with other human beings are all ways of maintaining our personal and communal robustness.
