Do you worry or feel more anxious in winter?
Author: Linda Sinden Date Posted:2 July 2018
Being at Ease
During winter Vata dosha increases in us all. For some this can lead to an increase of worry and anxiety as our inner stability is challenged. This week we want to help you stay on top of the hustle and bustle of daily life with increased ability to step up to the challenges while remaining calm and at ease inside.
About Vata
- Vata controls movement or motion to guide breathing, blood circulation, passing of food through the digestive tract and the sending and receiving of nerve impulses from the brain. It’s main location is in the colon or large intestines.
- Ayurveda explains there are 5 great elements that combine in unique ways to create all of creation. They are Space, Air, Fire, Water and Earth.
- Vata dosha is strongest in the elements of Space and Air. That’s why in Winter when Air becomes changeable, and the climate is cold and rainy our Vata qualities can become aggravated. You may have noted that Vata is not strong in the Fire element that provides warmth and digestive power. That is why during Winter we draw upon the resources of our environment to stay warm and may need digestive herbs to support optimal digestion.
- When you notice any of the following, then Vata Dosha has become imbalanced within you.
- Being quick and changeable in your thoughts and or actions.
- Experiencing irregular sleep patterns.
- With one or more the following symptoms: dry skin, constipation, insomnia - difficulty going to sleep or waking in the night unable to go back to sleep, feeling fearful, worried, anxious or nervous system complaints.
- You are hungry at anytime of the day or night and your ability to digest food comfortably is changeable. Sometimes you digest food well and other days the food sits heavily with gas or bloating.
What’s the cause?
If you are experiencing some discomfort, there is usually a precipitating cause – a pattern of behaviour that has thrown the dosha out of balance. The typical patterns that cause Vata imbalance are
- Under stress and respond with fear, worry and anxiety
- Physical and mental exhaustion from a period of overdoing it
- You chain smoke or suffer from alcohol or drug addiction
- You have had a sudden change in your life or the season is changing
- Your diet includes a lot of cold, dry, raw foods
- You eat a lot of bitter, spicy or astringent foods (salads, beans, raw green leafy vegetables)
- You habitually skip meals or are dieting
- You have been sleeping poorly for more than a few days
- You have taken a trip recently
- The weather is cold, dry and windy (autumn and winter)
What to do?
Being At Ease Action Plan
- Adopt a regular daily routine of sleeping and eating to balance the changeable quality. See Vata Balancing Daily Routine
- Start the morning at a slow pace to calm the tendency for quickness.
- Have an oil massage to counteract the tendency for dryness using Vata Massage Oil See how to do an oil massage for yourself
- Favour Vata balancing foods and drinks. See Vata food list
- Reduce stress as Vata governs all movement in your nervous system. Consider learning Transcendental Meditation
- Helpful herbals
- To help calm the nervous system, enhance memory and mental acuity, while supporting a healthy automatic emotional response take Worry Free 1-2 tablets after breakfast and evening meals. Sip Worry Free Tea or Vata Tea every 30 minutes throughout the day.
- Take Digest Plus 1 tablet 15-30 minutes after your main meals to promote easy and comfortable digestion.
- For a sluggish bowel or constipation take 2-4 tablets of Digest Tone at bedtime.
- For difficulty going to sleep take a drink of Slumber Time Tea 30 minutes prior bed along with 2 tablets of Blissful Sleep.
- For difficulty waking in the night take 2 tablets of Deep Rest at bedtime.
Addressing symptoms of Vata imbalance as they arise during Winter helps to nip disease in the bud before it has a chance to arise at a deeper level. If you are recovering from disease Vata is considered the King of all the doshas so keeping it in a state of health and balance will greatly help your recovery.
Wishing you the bliss of balance.
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Linda Sinden has been a practising Maharishi Ayurveda Consultant since 1990 and is a regular contributor to our weekly Insights. She has a practice in Auckland, New Zealand and also provides phone or Skype sessions for those who need assistance, but don’t have a consultant in their vicinity. Email: lindasinden@orbislife.co.nz Skype: Linda.Sinden |
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