Shifting Seasons
A shift of seasons is always a good time to reexamine our habits and tendencies and ask ourselves: do they still serve us or is it time for a change? When observing nature we can easily see that life is cyclical and constantly changing. Would it make sense to change our patterns as do the seasons? According to ancient ayurvedic wisdom the key to living a healthy and happy life is in fact to live in harmony with the cycles of nature. These refer as much to the seasons as to our body types and the rhythms of each day.
Seasonal Body Types
Ayurveda means “The Study of Life” and is rooted in Indian philosophy. It proposes that all manifestations of life come in three different qualities: kapha, pitta and vata. Kapha has the quality of spring – the elements are earth and water. Pitta has the qualities of summer – the element is fire. Vata has the qualities of winter – the element is air. Body types also fall into these three categories.
Spring is a very wet and heavy time of year. The earth is saturated with water from snow melt. Persons with kapha body types are big-boned, full-bodied and physically strong. Their solid skeletons protect them from osteoporosis. They are frequently easy going, slow, methodical types with balanced peaceful temperaments. Kaphas have a slow metabolism and strong intestines, and the ease with which they assimilate nutrients means that they do not need to eat much in order to stay in good health. In fact they should avoid overeating because their main health concern is the danger of obesity.
Like summer, pitta people are fiery, passionate and expressive. They are physically oriented with more muscle and temperament. They have a strong and athletic constitution. Their skin is sensitive and might have a tendency towards rashes. They often sweat a lot and are easily irritated. Pittas tend to be leaders and are well-organized, intelligent and charismatic. They are usually emotional, competitive, passionate and in need of a good eight hours of sleep to cool off and feel rested. They have enormous appetites for food and life experience, and can become gluttons if not careful.
Winter is the coldest season, it is dry and windy – the wind can blow without restriction as the trees are without leaves. Vata qualities are cold, dry, light, rough and constantly changing. The vata body type is thin-boned, tall and skinny or short, slim and petite. Vatas have sharp minds and a tendency to worry. They are light sleepers and have nervous dispositions. These people usually have a fast metabolism, experience difficulty gaining weight, and are characteristically weak in their intestines, suffering from poor absorption of nutrients. Vatas require highly nutritious foods to promote healthy assimilation.
After reading about these three body types, you probably have a good idea which you most identify with.
Seasonal Eating
After the cold winter with heavier warming foods, spring is the best time for a cleanse, using naturally occurring astringent greens like water cress, dandelion and arugula, any sprouts and herbs like basil and parsley. These foods help to decrease the seasonal tendency towards mucus, congestion, colds and allergies. Turnips, radishes, daikon and the whole onion family are great fat melters. Using less meats, fats and salt is beneficial as well.
When it is hot during the summer months, use the cooling effect of seasonal fruits, berries, lettuces and vegetables. Have more raw foods. Now is the time for salads. Eat complex carbohydrate rich foods to stay energized during the longer days of summer.
The late fall harvest is rich in nuts and grains – both warming and insulating to combat the cold of winter. Meat too is warming and can be eaten in larger quantities, as well as salt. Prefer cooked food to raw food. Eat a lot of warming soups and increase intake of fat and oils to keep the body lubricated in this dry time of year. Eat vegetables that traditionally could be kept over the winter, such as potatoes, root vegetables, winter squashes and cabbage.
Daily Seasonal Rhythms
While the cycle of the seasons is easy to observe each year, on a more subtle level, each day reflects a change of “season” every four hours. From 6 am – 10 am we experience a period of spring. Our muscles get stronger and the body becomes heavier. This is a good time for physical activity. From 10 am - 2 pm we move through a period of summer. Digestion is strongest during this time period and metabolism is at its peak. From 2 pm – 6 pm winter sets in. Our nervous system is strongest and therefore this is a good time for mental activity. From 6 pm – 10 pm spring returns as our metabolism slows down in preparation for sleep. This is another good time for some light physical activity. From 10 pm – 2 am summer is back, a time when our liver is actively cleansing our body. From 2 am – 6 am winter returns. Our body feels light and therefore traditionally this has been the best time for meditation.
Living in harmony with the cycles of the day could mean going to bed early, around 10 pm, before the liver kicks in. It is best to be resting as the liver detoxifies the body. By staying up late day in day out, our liver is not able do its job properly and toxins can accumulate in the body and cause health problems. Getting up early will be easier than getting up late, as the body is lighter in the earlier part of the morning. Digestion is strongest during mid day. Therefore it is best to have the largest meal in the middle of the day. Have dinner in the early part of the evening, so that you can digest in time before going to bed. Allow at least three hours between dinner and bedtime.
By acknowledging and paying attention to the cycles of the day and adjusting our lives to going with the flow of nature we can experience an ease of being, feeling rejuvenated and energized instead of drained and tired.
