Wellness, Naturally: Balancing Kapha in Late Winter/Early Spring

As the winter months wind down and we come into the early weeks of spring, kapha season begins to awaken. Ayurvedic medicine teaches us that our bodies mimic what takes place in the ebb and flow of nature’s seasons. While the vata dosha predominates in early winter, in late winter we find ourselves beginning to notice the qualities of kapha (earth & water) in ourselves that are abundant in the upcoming springtime.

The heavy, wet qualities of spring rain and melting snow are reflected in our bodies. We may feel out of balance as we adjust to the new season, which can certainly compromise our well-being. To help ease this transition, we’ve put together a few tips to embrace an ayurvedic lifestyle, balance kapha and keep you energized and empowered as the seasons shift.

Understanding Kapha

This list offers a brief psychophisiological profile for the kapha dosha and energy.

Elements: Earth & water
Season: Spring
Qualities: Heavy, solid, hard, cool, inert, wet, dull, sticky, soft
Balancing qualities: Dry, light, mobile, hot, clear, subtle, spreading, sharp
Organs: Stomach, lungs, pancreas, head chest
Digestion: Slow/sluggish bowel movements
Balanced traits: Sweet, trustworthy, intelligent, loyal
Imbalanced traits: Overweight, apathetic, sedentary, depressed, greedy, attached
Tastes: Sweet, sour, salty
Balancing tastes: Bitter, astringent, pungent
Time of Day: 6:00–10:00 am, 6:00–10:00 pm

Tips for Balancing Kapha

1. Turning off all screens one hour before bed to allow your body to adjust should be part of your daily routine. Screens mimic daylight and therefore trick your body into wakefulness.
2. Try to be in bed by 10:00 pm, and rise by 6:00 am, especially if kapha is already your dominant dosha. These particular sleeping hours help to restore your body’s natural circadian rhythms, and you’ll experience a much better quality sleep that will help you sustain your energy level and digestion throughout the day.
3. Avoid coughs, colds, and the flu by keeping your digestive fire (agni) stoked properly. A cup of ginger tea and lemon every day kindles this digestive fire, which burns off toxins and unhealthy types of fat and keeps your immune system strong.
4. Eat well, favoring warm, juicy, and well-cooked food, which is are kapha-pacifying and therefore beneficial this time of year. To maintain a healthy weight and avoid weight gain, consider your climate, constitution, and personal habits when making food choices. Avoid snacking, heavy foods, and cold foods, and explore how much you need to eat at each meal to feel satisfied. Implement the use of warming spices, such as cinnamon and cardamom, to stimulate circulation at this time of year. Eat in a calm, relaxed environment, and enjoy hot tea between meals

We hope you feel nourished and balanced this spring!