It might not feel like it, but spring is here! Resident Ayurveda expert Hilary shares some thoughts on spring detox and transitioning to the new season.
The spring season is naturally a time of cleaning out. Snow is melting to make way for spring blossoms, we de-clutter our homes, and open the windows to let in the fresh air. Our bodies are inherently linked to the cycles of nature – something called our own circadian rhythms. Sometimes it is easy as humans to forget we are part of nature and therefore are subject to these seasonal changes as well. During winter most of us are less active and eat heavier foods to get through the cold winter months (hello holidays!). Spring is therefore the perfect time to tune into the intelligence of the body by detoxifying and rejuvenating.
According to the ancient science of Ayurveda, this is the season of Kapha (water and earth). If we choose not listen to our bodies and make the appropriate changes to diet and lifestyle, we end up with colds, allergies, poor digestion, excess mucus, and lethargy. Through Ayurveda, which literally translates to “the science of life”, we can all go through this transformation not only more gracefully, but also with added energy, weight loss, and vibrancy of health.I have listed a few simple guidelines to help kick start your body into a fat burning machine that digests and assimilates nutrients properly, so that you can move into summer in balance.
- Eat more bitter, astringent, and pungent (spicy) foods like leafy greens, dandelion tea, and ginger.
- Eat less sweet, salty and sour foods like ice cream, table salt, and yogurt.
- Eat only 3-4 meals a day without snacking. Do your best to sit without distractions while eating, and only eating until you are 2/3 full.
- Make lunch your biggest meal (it’s when your metabolism is strongest!)
- Go to bed around 10pm. Awake around 7am. (syncing your body with the sun and moon)
- Get at least 20 minutes of movement in each day.
- Add turmeric to your foods (either powdered or fresh).
- Drink more hot tea (ginger, turmeric, tulsi, dandelion, and green).
Spring is also a great time to take part in an Ayurvedic seasonal cleanse. What I love most about this cleanse is that it’s not about starving yourself, but eating simply to give your digestion a break from all the heavy winter foods. It is very easy to prepare the yummy kitchari dish that’s a part of the cleanse, so your not cooking all day! Cleansing the body this time of year, resets your digestion, improves energy and immunity, reduces seasonally allergies, rejuvenates the body, and has the added benefit of excess weight loss.
To learn more about Hilary’s one on one Ayurvedic Consultations, call the center (617-868-0756).
