Spring is a great time of year for us to renew, refresh and make positive changes. With lighter, brighter days and more energy, we tend to be able to make new habits stick during this season of natural growth and renewal. Inspired by the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine, these six seasonally-inspired wellness tips are certain to put a spring in your step.
1. Switch to lighter foods and eliminate heavy, oily dishes
Ayurvedic medicine is intrinsically linked with the seasons. Good health means living in harmony with nature and its ever-changing rhythms. In spring, we need to keep Kapha in balance, which lubricates our joints and protects the mucus membranes of our lungs and stomach. If out of balance, Kapha creates excessive phlegm in the lungs, causes sinus problems, nausea, heaviness, water retention, dullness and depression in addition to early spring allergies such as hay fever and rhinitis. To keep Kapha in balance, eliminate iced, cold and raw foods as well as heavy and oily foods and swap these for warm, pungent foods, herbal teas and spices to help increase digestive fire and keep energy levels high.
2. Detox
Spring is a popular time for a detox – the warmer weather and longer days make it seem more appealing and achievable, and our energy levels begin to rise. In Ayurveda, spring is a good time for panchakarma, or full body detox – but if you don’t have access to this, try implementing some detoxifying techniques such as fasting, dry brushing and self-massage. Our Belly Fix blend is the perfect companion to a detox – helping to restore good gut bacteria and improve digestion.
3. Get moving
Now the weather is improving, it’s a good time to get outdoors and enjoy what nature has to offer. Depending on your preference and current activity level this could look like a walk or a jog, a wild swim in your local lake or the ocean, or a yoga class. During winter months we can feel stagnant, stuck and sluggish. Spring is the perfect time to blow away those cobwebs and feel re-energized. Slowly re-introduce movement into your life and you’ll instantly start to feel the many physical and emotional benefits flowing your way. In TCM and Ayurveda, exercise helps to promote the movement of vital life energy, Qi or Prana, whilst getting out in the abundant daylight spring can bring, it also offers up a healthy dose of vitamin D.
4. Hydrate smart
We should always be aiming to drink plenty of fresh, filtered water each day (around 2-2.5 liters, depending on your specific needs). Both TCM and ayurvedic texts advise that incorporating warm drinks (including soups, herbal teas and warm water) at mealtimes helps to balance the body and aid digestion. As temperatures rise in spring it can be tempting to reach for iced drinks, but keeping these to a minimum (or removing them entirely, if your symptoms are severe) is better for body and mind.
5. Rise and shine
According to TCM, getting up early during spring months (following a long, restful night’s sleep) ensures that we slowly ease out of the hibernation of winter and emerge ready for the longer days of spring. Sleep quality is tied to many different aspects of our physical and emotional health – so it’s always a good time to clean up your sleep hygiene. Aim to go to bed and rise at the same time each day, and ensure you’re getting plenty of good-quality sleep each night. Struggling to sleep well? Try our Serenease blend, formulated to promote deep relaxation and better quality sleep.
6. Support your liver
Liver health is vital for the health of the whole body – but especially during spring, the liver is working hard to detoxify and cleanse following the winter months. In TCM spring is the liver’s time to shine, so feed it with plenty of leafy greens and bitter or pungent additions such as herbs and pickles. Avoid alcohol as much as is possible, as this will greatly impair the liver’s ability to support the body’s renewal and regeneration during springtime.
For holistic supplementary support, our blends offer gentle, transformative rebalancing designed to help you look and feel better. Get your glow back with our Ayurveda-inspired wellness range
