How to reset your metabolism during seasonal changes

As we have seen in our earlier blogs, our health totally depends on how healthy our digestive fire ( digestive Agni) is. Our health depends on our body’s ability to metabolize everything which it takes into it from the environment including food, beverages, experiences, air, and emotions. Our digestive fire is responsible for this function. When our digestive fire is healthy and strong, we will easily digest our food and daily experiences to absorb all the nutrients required so that we can produce healthy cells, muscles, tissues, and bones. When our digestive fire is weak, we cannot properly metabolize the food as well as experiences which we intake which results in the production of toxins in our body and this leads to weak physical as well as emotional health. Click here to get more tips on how to ignite your metabolism.

Our bodies and our surrounding environment are interdependent. Our environment is an extension of our physical bodies and there is a continuous exchange of energy between our body and our environment. For example, we inhale oxygen which is released by the trees surrounding us and the CO2 which we exhale is absorbed by the trees. We can quote several such examples. Hence all the environmental changes have a direct impact on our bodies. Any disruption in our environment will cause a disruption in our mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing.

There are six seasons in general and many countries like India experience all the six of them but here in the USA, we experience 4 main seasons which are Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter. When we transition from one season to another we experience several changes right from a change in the temperature and humidity to daylight savings timings. These changes put our bodies in mild shock and cause several disruptions in our bodies. We experience several changes at the cellular level and most importantly our bodies also undergo hormonal changes. Studies have shown that when nature is adjusting with the seasonal changes our bodies also have to adjust. Winter blues are as much real as spring allergies. Hence it is important that we facilitate our bodies to go through these changes smoothly so that we can have optimal health. These changes in our environment and in our bodies are called Biologic rhythms which fall into 3 categories:- Seasonal Rhythms, Circadian Rhythms, and Ultradian Rhythms. While Circadian Rhythm is our body’s natural internal process which regulates our internal clock and repeats every 24 hours, in this blog we are mainly going to discuss how to assist our bodies so that we can cope with Seasonal Rhythms.

During late Autumn and Winter, the weather is cold and dry. Days become short and nights are longer. Sunsets are early and it is dark before 5. This is the VATA season as per Ayurveda. People experience a VATA imbalance. Several people experience winter blues or mild depression or anxiety depending on their Dosha type. Our Hair and skin become dry. Our nasal passages become irritated due to dryness. Our ability to focus reduces.

During late Spring and early summer, the weather has started to warm up. There is moisture in the Air and it rains often. That’s why it is said, “ April showers bring May Flowers". This is Kapha Season. People experience sluggishness, mucus builds up in their nasal passages and sinuses. This is allergy and flu season for many.

During Summer, the weather is extremely hot and dry. At times we experience heat waves. Rivers and water bodies are drying up. This is the Pitta season. People get dehydrated and tired easily. People with sensitive skin will get heat rashes due to heat. Hunger reduces and energy level also reduces. Some people get angry and agitated often.

Early Autumn and Early Spring are also considered transitional seasons. In early Autumn are transitioning from hot and dry Summer months which is PITA season to Cold and dry Autumn which is VATA season. In early Spring we are transitioning from Cold and Dry winter which is VATA season to warm and damp Spring which is Kapha Season. During these times our immunity is reduced as our bodies are going through internal changes and hence people are prone to flu, cold, cough, allergies, mucus buildup, sinus infections, etc.

Here are few tips on how to reset the metabolism which is affected during all these seasonal changes:-

Early Autumn and Early spring is the perfect time to do gentle detox so that you can reset your metabolism. You can use herbs like Triphala for a gentle detox. Also starting your day with the juice of half a lemon in warm water helps to detox your system. Fasting or liquid diet or juice detox can also help. Khichdi is an ideal food for detox.

Always wear comfortable clothing. Warm clothes when it is cold and light cotton when it is warm.

Incorporate physical activity and exercise into your daily routine.

Meditate and practice mindful eating.

Your lunch should be the heartiest meal and dinner should always be light. Warm soups as dinner in cold months while refreshing salads as dinner in hot months can be ideal. Also, do not consume meals at least 4 hours prior to bedtime and do not eat until you are full. Always eat until you are 80% full.

Consume warm freshly cooked meals that are cooked with spices like ginger, cloves, peppers, garlic, onions, turmeric during Autumn, and winter months. Sip on warm liquids like herbal teas and warm water throughout the day. This will help you to remove mucus and ignite your digestive fire. Consume seasonal vegetables and fruits.

Consume warm and light meals that are easy to digest during transitional seasons and Kapha season. Include spices that aid your digestion as during this period digestion is very sluggish.

Consume light refreshing meals during the hot season. Cucumbers, watermelon, yogurt, Dil, Fennel, Mint, Coconut, melons, green leafy vegetables cooked with gentle spices, etc are ideal for these months. Sip on cold liquids and cold herbal teas to stay hydrated. You don’t have to use ice if your dosha is Kapha or Vata and instead of consuming warm fluids you can consume fluids at room temperature. If your dosha is Pitta, feel free to add some ice cubes in the water or tea which you consume. The bottom line is to listen to your body and also stay hydrated. Click here to read more about diet based on body type.

Develop a regular practice of Nasyam and Use of Neti Pot.

Incorporating the practice of Abhyagam ( Message with warm oil) and dry brushing also is very helpful. You can use the oil as per your dosha type. Click here to schedule an appointment to determine your Dosha type.

Get a good night's sleep of at least 8 hours and also maintain daily a sleep routine. Try to avoid late night and irregular sleep times. Follow Circadian rhythms.

In addition to nurturing your body with the right diet, it is highly important to nurture your mind and spirit for emotional well-being. Let’s join hands for a better future.

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