Dance away February blues with Ayurveda and a DIY spiced cuppa of Chai

A Winter Recipe and Ayurveda tips by Nandini Natasha Austin

Shake off the snowflakes, it's already mid-February. These Winter months are often associated with that slow feeling of cloud-covered days, which sends many animals and even us humans into hibernation, I have not been hibernating, quite the opposite, I have been rather busy.

February feels like an emotional sled ride. One minute I am whizzing down the mountain hitting a few bumps along the way, whilst on other days I can hardly gain any traction. All the while intuitively I know that something is up, I am craving more balance, rest and rejuvenation, but how do I squeeze it in? Sound familiar?

Read below where I shed some light on why we humans feel this way in these complex wintry months, and what you can do from an Ayurvedic perspective to maintain some equilibrium.

Staying Balanced

In Ayurveda, the science of life, Winter is considered chiefly a Kapha season with Vata undertones, (think grounding and earthy). When Kapha is balanced, it provides strength and stability to the body and mind, but when out of balance, it can show up in the body as heaviness, slowness and lethargy. Similarly, when Vata energy (think spacey cold, and dry) is balanced we feel joyous, flexible and open.

In colder climates and seasons, this Vata energy can leave one feeling more isolated and even depressed. I can't help but think of Stephen King's 1980 movie "The Shining", which if you recall features the bleak, snow-covered mountains of the Overlook Lodge in Oregon. Those icy temperatures and long dark nights would drive anyone bonkers, yet ironically the movie was shot mostly in Elstree Studios, in my hometown of London, but you get my gist. When Vata energy is out of balance, it can cause feelings of anxiousness, fear and difficulty sleeping.

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