Metta Blog #15: Ayurvedic Self Care Rituals in the Spring

Spring is a trying time for our bodies to navigate.  As the temperature outside fluctuates, this demands our interior thermostats to be responsive.  Our blood system and organs have been on winter mode for 3 – 4 months.  Our blood has thickened to hold heat. In winter, our metabolism is trying to hold onto calories to deal with the cold and our nervous system is in heating mode.

In the Spring season, our body is in the opposite mode to winter. To traverse Spring with ease, we need to reverse these body systems to help the body expel heat and digest to release winter build up.  We need to let our liver and spleen relax through deep breathing and perhaps a juice cleanse.  We need to take more time at the end of each day to relax and let our nervous system recalibrate.  Plus to help our organs, we need to rehydrate and nourish with teas, warm drinks and soups.

#1 – Start each day with a warm glass of water which you have added the juice of fresh lemon to help alkalize your body chemistry. You can add some honey to the drink to help it be more palatable.  Over a few days, your senses and body will accommodate and appreciate the lemon drink as it soothes and rehydrates your body.

#2 – Stretch everyday.  To help your body, try starting your day with gentle full body stretches, some skin brushing and followed by the Sun Salutations. Then lay down and breath deeply for a few minutes. Your body will love you for this.

#3 – Get outside and walk for 15 minutes everyday.  Do this on your way to work or at the end of your day. The coordinated actions of walking, massages all of our organs and benefits all the systems of our bodies. Plus, you feel refreshed.

You have unexplained fatigue, you are catching every flu or cold that is going around, you have unexplained weight gain or weight loss, you have allergy flare ups, rashes, itching skin, swollen hands and feet, you have having water retention.  You could in addition have PMS, headaches, joint pain that moves around the body, sore feet in the morning, weak immunity and/or constipation.

These are all signs your lymphatic system is not functioning properly and your body needs a reset.  Spring is considered the best season to support our organs to be nourished to reset their functions. In Ayurveda, abhyanga massage, food choices and juice cleanses are prescribed to reboot the lymphatic system.  Read Metta Post #16 to find out what an Ayurvedic cleanse is and what it can do for your health.

A Juice Cleanse is a nutrition routine that works with your health through a limited meal plan.  It can last anywhere from 2 to 7 days, depending on your schedule, experience and motivation.  Please come to The Big Spring Cleanse on May 3rd to learn the ins and out of an Ayurvedic cleanse with Allison.

In Metta, Allison Ulan