Ritucharya 101: Ayurveda?s Answer to All Your Winter Woes

Ritucharya, an ancient Ayurvedic principle, is formed from two terms: ‘ritu’, meaning ‘seasons’ and ‘charya’, meaning ‘routine’. According to the Vedas, Ritucharya helps establish a lifestyle and diet routine to cope with the physical and mental impact caused by seasonal changes.

A good seasonal routine strengthens and nourishes our mind and body to battle ailments caused due to seasonal changes. Here’s what the ritucharya for winters should look like:

• As the presence of Kapha increases during winters, make efforts to stay warm and dry.

• Avoid taking cold showers. Instead, indulge in warm baths, saunas, and sun baths.

• Wear warm, dry clothes to keep the body temperature from dropping.

• Regularly massage yourself with warm oil to avoid conditions like dry skin and dry scalp.

• Avoid consuming cold, frozen foods, and beverages in winters as they can aggravate kapha dosha.

• Go for warm soups, meals, and drinks to combat the natural accumulation of kapha.

• Indulge in exercises that can help break a sweat.

• Since digestive fire is at its best during the winters, our body can metabolize dairy products and other heavier foods easily. So, consume rich foods as they can help keep the body warm.

• Dress to protect yourself from the winter chill.

• Get adequate sun exposure.

• Prefer sweet, sour and salty tastes as they can help keep vata in check.

Winters are the time when we gorge on sweets, sip on hot beverages, and enjoy festive delicacies. Come to think about it, isn’t it amazing that some of the major festivals are celebrated during the winter season? It’s almost like nature’s telling us that it’s okay to indulge in richer foods.

So, take Ayurveda’s advice and look after yourself during the colder months of the year. To know more, dial 0129-4040404 or click on ‘Speak to a Doctor’ under the CONNECT tab in Jiva Health App.