Spring wellbeing: an Ayurvedic guide

As the days become brighter and warmer, we explore some simple ways to put a spring in our step, with a little help from Ayurveda (ancient Indian health philosophy).

Simple daily rituals for spring

From an Ayurvedic point of view, the dosha (mind-body type) or constitution known as ‘kapha’ increases during the early stages of spring.

Even if you don’t know your true dosha, following these simple tips will help recharge the body for the spring months:

• Wake early (with the sun), before 7am, making the most of earlier mornings, spring vitality and energy.

• Make your first drink of the day warm and spicy to gently stimulate and support digestion. Try Pukka Three Ginger or Lemon, Ginger & Manuka Honey teas.

• Practice self-massage to invigorate the blood. Vigorous skin rubbing with a loofa also encourages the movement of fluids around the body, supporting detoxification in spring. As an extra treat, visit a sauna to dry out all that accumulated winter moisture.

• Try a daily yoga routine that is more dynamic, expansive and stimulating. Incorporate standing twists, chest openers and sun salutations as well as restorative postures to ground, center and connect. 

• Keep meals warm, light and easy to digest with an emphasis on bitter, pungent and astringent foods such as green leafy vegetables, green tea and spices that will help clear excess moisture and balance kapha. In between meals, try our After Dinner or Three Fennel teas.

• Avoid concentrated sweet, sour and salty flavours which are considered heavy and damp. Reduce chilled and refrigerated foods that are brimming with cold and excess moisture that further aggravate kapha.

• Support our body’s natural efforts to find balance by supporting seasonal cleansing and detoxification practices to clear excess congestion. 

• Most importantly, allow your body and mind time to adjust to a new spring environment. Try to give yourself enough rest, sleep and exercise, as well as gifting yourself a good nutritious diet and a positive state of mind. 

All these acts of self-care will help to add a ‘spring’ to our step.

To discover your dosha, take our online dosha quiz and start your path of Ayurvedic discovery today.