Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
Once upon a time, I dismissed the cyclical, rhythmical, and seasonal wisdom that abounds. There was no separation between the seasons. I pushed and pushed as hard in mid- July as I did mid-January. I lived out of sync. And one day, I ended up adrenally fatigued, ojas-depleted, hormonally- imbalanced, disconnected, and just, spent. I'm not gonna lie. There's some days I still feel like this, but I've learned to turn inward and build myself from the inside out. Yet, in the quiet of the winter, I lean on the earth's wisdom to keep me healthy and full of life.
In Ayurveda, ojas (oh-jus) is "our vital essence." It's our radiance, our vitality, our juice. The luster in our eyes, strength in our body, suppleness in our limbs, glow on our skin, efficiency of digestion, potency of fertility, clarity of mind, and our robust immunity all exude our ojas. When our ojas is depleted, disease can set in. We become weak, tired, dehydrated, anxious, & fearful. Life becomes unbalanced, and we get sick.
The winter is the time for the earth's energy to draw back into herself. As we honor this, it's our season to rest, rejuvenate, reflect, and prepare for the more active months to come. If you live in the Northeast or other chilly places, the snow can symbolize a blanket of protection. A reminder to go inward…and to safeguard those inner reserves.
During these months, we may gravitate to warm meals, like soups (my favorite food ever) and stews with healing spices. We may sleep more as we lose the light - although we are gaining now. We may want stay more inside, away from crowds to avoid germs. I'm a hibernator myself…me & my books.
Or we run ourselves down. Ignoring the ancient & sacred wisdom of nature's cycles and rhythms.
One of the best ways to understand our seasonal patterns is to observe the world around you. We can learn how to counteract the elements with the principal of "like increases like." For example, right now the earth is cold and dry, so we need more moisture and lubrication to balance. Both internally and externally.
Last week, I was totally taken off guard when I got hit with a cold. It only lasted a day, but I haven't been sick in years. At the first evidence of something brewing, I take a hot bath, go to bed to early, and drink a few shots of Fire Cider. This usually does the trick, but I realized I do a lot to keep those germs at bay. And more importantly, I keep my body protected so I won't be a host to any invaders. My own little "flu shot" prevention.
I've complied a list from my studies in Ayurveda, natural healing, and common knowledge to keep you healthy…and full of ojas this winter.
- NOURISH. HYDRATE. NOURISH | Fall in love with cooking again. Experiment. Eat whole, real sattvic (pure) food that nourishes your body…meaning food you absorb, assimilate, and digest. **Super important because at least 70% of your immunity is in your gut. A strong digestive fire (agni) helps remove the toxins (ama) from your body. Eat good fats (ghee, coconut oil, etc). More warmed, steamed green leafys, less raw veggies. Enjoy exotic & medicinal mushrooms. Use lots of healing spices. Make green juices. Start the day with warm lemon water and carry it throughout your day. Or drink non-alcoholic fluids (see below). Take a probiotic. Make sure your Vitamin D levels are optimal (>50). Avoid allergens. End of story.
- HAVE A GOOD SWEAT | While it's probably not a good idea to push ourselves (sorry New Year's resolutions) in the cooler months, it's not ideal to become a couch potato either. We've got to move. Go for a walk. Try something new (like a different form of yoga). Maybe snowshoe. Another option to release sweat that I love - a sauna. I use one almost daily when I can. There are so many places (gyms, health centers) that now have infared saunas. Or sweat it out in a hot bath. I love Magnesuim Flakes, but they're expensive - so I save for prime times. I've also heard of Dr. Singha's mustard bath, as a cold-blaster. Has anyone tried this stuff?
- SLEEP | "If you love someone, let them sleep." This includes yourself (over school break I stayed up late - too late for me anyways, midnight and until 8 am), and I have to say, I felt crappy. Find what works for you. I'm a 10pm to 5-6 am sleeper. If you are having trouble sleeping, get honest about what's going on. The average person needs 9 hours and gets 7. That's a lot of deficit. And if you need some remedies, here's a post "Let Her Sleep" that I wrote awhile back. Remember you've got mountains to move - just more gently and slowly this time of year. You know the old adage of warm milk before bed, well I like an ojas drink. It's nourishing and soothing.
- OIL EVERYWHERE | Abhyanga is a healing massage in Ayurveda either you do to yourself or by a qualified clinician. It's done with warm oil (usually sesame with herbs), and is calming to your whole nervous systems and thus help with immunity (calm state --->less cortisol--->less fatigue---->better ojas and immunity). If I'm pressed for time (a common occurrence), I oil my feet and my scalp. By now, most of you know of the neti pot. But did you know that you should oil the nasal passages after using. The oil is usually sold close to neti pots. In Ayurveda, there is a belief to oil every orifice. Moisture is one of the keys to stay healthy in these cool months. It also keeps the spaces occupied, which keep us less vulnerable to vata-derangement - our anxious, nervous, fearful version of ourselves (more to come on this). But it's also part creative & whimsical selves. We live on a polarity planet.
- IMMUNE TONICS & ELIXIRS | Fire Tonics has been a staple in our house for years, but now I'm seeing (and adoring) all these pre-made, herbal immune boosters. Herbal Revolutions and Urban Moonshine are a few that I've bought locally. Elderberry is loaded with antioxidants and vitamin C. You can make your own using Elderberries from here, or I'm overdosing on this one because it's also got medicinal mushrooms…and it's super delicious. Most of these elixirs have herbal blends of echinacea, astragalus root (a favorite of mine; great to add to soups), elderberry, cinnamon, and ginger. Along with Manuka honey - a potent immune booosting honey that's pricey, but if you're prone to getting ill this time of year, it might be worth it. Just don't overheat any honey, it loses it benefits. I do NOT support Shire Herbals….for this reason. Please read.
- CHYAWANPRASH | "The elixir of life" as it's sometimes called is loaded with 35 ingredients. A unique blend of herbs that protect and repair and tone the lungs, heart, and reproductive systems. It's sweet and nourishing. It's ojas-building. It was first mentioned in Ayurvedic texts over 2,000 year ago, after a legend of a weak boy who went to the mountains to meditate and after many years returned enlightened. Though he was still weak. He was given the rejuvenative elixir and said to be a renewed man who married and had many children. At 80 years old! I take a teaspoon or two daily. I've tried a few brands, so far Banyan Botanicals is my favorite. I just ordered a new brand, but it's pricer. Will keep you posted.
- CHAI, TURMERIC/GINGER TONICS | Yogi tea, a variation of Chai, was given to troops to keep them healthy and strong while fighting by Yogi Bhajan. I have a variation of these on my site in "tea + love." Drink these often to stay hydrated with potent healing herbs and spices. My absolute favorite pre-made versions are by Rishi (Marsala Chai) sold at Whole Foods and Chaga Chai sold by Herbal Revolutions.
- BODYWORK | I don't think I need to into detail here. Massage and other healing modalities like chiropractic and reiki have numerous benefits. If you live in the area, send me a message and I can send you to some of the best of the best. I know this can be an expense not all of us can manage, but of you are out of work because you are ill, there's a cost to that too.
- HEARTWORK | If we are living out of alignment with our heart's desire, we suffer from poor emotional nourishment and ojas depletion. Sadhana, a daily spiritual practice, is at the heart of living from the heart. I plan to expand on this, with some more exercises and rasayana wisdom (literally "the path of juice") in my seasonal newsletter.
As my teacher Ayurvedic Master, Maya Tiwari says, "Live in accord with the rhythms of late winter and you will discover strength, profound stamina, and deepening wisdom for the rest of the year."
May you treasure the sacred pause of winter to go inward and be healthy & whole in the year ahead.
xox
{Please note: There's a few affiliate links in here, but most are not. If you purchase from here, it only helps to keep my blog going (and thus valuable wellness information to you). But truthfully, I would do this no matter. I love to share good food, good living, and good vibes. And a big heartfelt hug to all those who I see in passing or send me private messages that keep me going here. Much love to you}.
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