Winter Immunity
STAY HEALTHY DURING WINTER
The concept of “Bala” or Strength according to Ayurveda goes far beyond the Western concept of physical immunity. It also includes psychological and spiritual immunity. Bala provides endurance against any disturbance to these areas.
Raising Your Immunity Quotient
Various factors determine your immunity quotient. It is even possible to develop an established level of immunity that remains stable throughout all the ups and downs of life. The three levels of immunity are:
1. Hereditary - the innate level of immunity, which you are born with.
2. Seasonal - fluctuating levels of immunity due to the change of seasons, different stages of life, and planetary cycles.
3. Established - a balanced, perma- nent level of immunity that can be realized by following an Ayurvedic diet and lifestyle. This type of immu- nity can be "planned" using dietary and lifestyle principles and herbal preparations.
If someone is born with an innately low level of immunity, that fact cannot be changed. So that's why in Ayurveda, we focus on strengthening the second type of immunity, which fluctuates with the seasons, age, and planetary cycles. One reason that winter is a good season for building immunity is that the digestion is stronger in cold weather.
Immunity is connected with diges- tion. When digestion is strong and appetite is good, immunity is strengthened. Whatever weakens digestion weakens immunity as well. With a dietary schedule that boosts immunity one can overcome many of the health challenges in winter even without consulting a doctor. The diet should include fresh, organic, easy to digest, pure and wholesome ingredients includ- ing fresh, organic milk and yoghurt, vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and ghee (clarified butter). Digestion- enhancing spices (such as ginger, cinnamon, cumin and coriander) should be added while cooking.
Wonder of Winter
Winter is the season when nature is ready to nurture us. Just as the heating system of your house works harder in cold weather, your inner digestive fire stokes up when the air turns chilly. Due to very high level of digestion, people feel hungrier, and can actually digest food better in winter, nourishing the body more.
People just think this season is bad for immunity. This happens because with increased appetite people start eating more junk food heavy and hard to digest which weakens immunity. But it's important to understand that we are responsible for our ill health, not the nature. For this reason, it's more important that people eat foods that boost immunity in winter, and that they follow the daily Ayurvedic routine. This should be the regimen in winter, to nourish the mind and body by getting more rest and eating well. While other seasons are best for purifying the body, winter is the best time to build up and nourish all systems including hair, nails, and skin. It's also the best season for taking Rasayanas and herbal products.
Lifestyle also has its impact on immu- nity. Staying up late, working at night, eating at irregular times, exposing the body to stress and fatigue, and sleep- ing during the day can all affect the digestion and body rhythms - and thus compromise the immune system. That's why it's important to follow the Ayurvedic daily routine, to keep the digestive system and other bodily rhythms working smoothly, and thus keeping the immunity high. Winter is a more inward season, when nature is at rest, so you can take advantage of this natural tendency by giving the mind and body extra nourishment in winter.
The key principle of Ayurveda for your diet is “Draw on the love of Kapha with all things moist, and the fire of Pitta with all things hot and spicy, and the Vata in all of us will feel balanced and supported”. If you follow the Ayurvedic dietary guide- lines and lifestyle for each season, you can develop an established, permanent state of immunity, when sickness is no longer a threat. This is the third level of immunity which is the fruit of ayurveda for everybody who seeks it. This is what "Bala" really means: "a state without disease".
Diet Tips for Winter
• Include fresh, organic, pure and wholesome food in your diet.
• Switch to soups, stews, hot tea and stewed fruit.
• Cook and eat foods that tastes sweet, sour and salty.
• Eat less of the astringent, bitter, and pungent food in winter.
• Warm, home-cooked, unctuous foods are ideal.
• Foods that are hard to digest should be avoided.
• Avoid commercially processed foods, as well as canned, frozen, foods
• Say goodbye to coffee, toast and salads.
• Avoid cold or ice-cold foods, as cold foods and drinks.
Lifestyle Tips for Winter
• Go to bed a little earlier, and wake up with more vitality and freshness.
• Do a daily self-massage (abhyanga) and enhance immunity.
• Take warm oil baths, moisturizing skin from head to toe.
• Meditate and gaze at the warm light of a candle or a streak of sunlight.
• Do yoga regularly.
• Avoid stress, walk away from arguments, and keep away from worries.
So this winter, try giving your immunity a shot in the arm - and spend the cold season staying warm and healthy.
For more information contact your Ayruvedic doctor Sajimon George at Ayur- clinic.
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