Seasons for a reason- How and why to use the change in seasons to optimise your health

Seasonal changes can be a challenge for our physical and mental well-being. The change in weather, temperature, and daylight can all impact our body and mind. Ayurveda, an ancient Indian system of medicine, offers some valuable principles to help us adjust to seasonal changes and maintain optimal mental and physical health. Here’s some ways for you to keep aligned as we move through seasons.

1. Follow a Seasonal Routine

This one might create some friction to the popular Western belief that ‘summer bodies are made in winter’.If you’re open to challenging that belief, then choosing more warming/introspective activities like yoga, pilates and meditation in winter and engaging in more cooling, outward-focused activities like swimming and running in spring and summer, your body might just thank you. By adjusting our daily exercise habits to meet the season, balance may be restored. 

2. Eat Seasonal Foods

Eating seasonal foods is an essential part of Ayurvedic principles and for good reason. There is a strong diet culture that promotes salads and raw food all year round, and with access to importing all sorts of exotic fruit and vegetables from around the world, it would be easy to believe that these are the foods our bodies require. For optimum nutritional benefits, consider eating locally grown, seasonal fruit and vegetables. 

3. Stay Hydrated

Staying hydrated is important during all seasons. In summer, we need to drink more water and fluids to stay hydrated. However, in winter, we also need to stay hydrated as the dry air can dehydrate our bodies. Ayurveda recommends drinking warm water with ginger and lemon to stay hydrated and boost our immune system.

4. Get Enough Sleep

Getting enough sleep is crucial for our overall health. During season changes, our body needs more rest to adjust to the changes. Getting into a habit of going to bed early and waking up early even on the weekends will encourage a healthy sleep-wake cycle. 4. Practice Self-care

5. Practice Self Care

Self-care is an essential part of optimal well-being during season changes. Self-care will look different to everyone so it’s a great exercise to explore what it means to you. For some, it’s establishing boundaries, creating a calm space in their house, taking time out to be with friends or reading a book. For others, it might be massage, relaxing baths, tech-free time and journalling. 

If you want to learn more about Ayurvedic principles or learn simple steps on reshaping your life, you can order a copy of Only Human on Amazon or www.freshcoaching.me/onlyhumanbook