Spring is often the time when we take on new projects , like cleaning out the house . But it ’ s also the perfect time to work on another project : your health . If self-care has fallen by the wayside this winter , following the springtime practices of Ayurveda might be just the thing to help you blossom into a new , healthier you .

“ Veda ” meaning knowledge , Ayurveda is a philosophy and health science that originated in India more than 3,000 years ago , which promotes life and longevity . It centers around the concept that we are all deeply tied to nature , therefore it can teach us the best ways to go through our daily , weekly , and seasonal routines . Although our modern-day lives may seem wildly detached from nature — with our houses , grocery stores , and electronics — it still influences our lives .

“ We , as people , are kind of a representation of the greater environment that we exist in . So you can ’ t assume that you ’ re controlling your entire environment because you ’ re locked in your house ,” explained Jen Rand , an Ayurvedic health practitioner from Mount Madonna Institute . If you pay close attention , nature gives us clues on everything from how we should be eating to how we should be exercising .

One of the easiest ways to attune ourselves to nature is to eat with the seasons . In the winter , when it ’ s cold and the days are short , we tend to want heartier foods like soups and stews to keep us full and warm , much like a bear stocking up for hibernation . As spring thaws us out and we emerge from our hibernation , of sorts , nature greets us with lighter foods to help refresh us and balance out the sweet , sour , and salty foods we ’ ve been eating all winter .

“ Spring ’ s all about eating things that are really fresh , like sauteed bitter greens , astringent vegetables like spicy arugula , and sprouts ,” Rand said . The best way to find seasonal foods is to buy from local vendors and farmers markets . Not only will you be supporting your own wellbeing , you ’ ll be helping the local farmers as well .

There is a saying in Ayurveda that “ like increases like ,” while opposites decrease or balance you out . Eating cold foods in winter will only make you colder , and eating hot foods in summer will only make you hotter . Because spring is still on the chilly side , Rand recommends sticking to warmer foods , like soups and teas , rather than cold drinks and foods to help keep your body balanced . Herbal teas , like ginger tea with lemon or teas with turmeric root , can help keep you feeling warm and refreshed , as well as cleanse your digestion and possibly reduce inflammation .

Maintaining balance applies to more than just temperature , however . “ There ’ s more moisture in the air in spring and that can lead to more congestion and allergies . If you already have a propensity to dampness and congestion in the body , adding more of that will have a cumulative effect ,” Rand explained .

She recommends being mindful of what you ’ re eating and paying attention to how those foods are serving you . If you notice that certain foods like dairy or foods high in sugar make you more congested or tired , it might help to eliminate those things from your diet for a while , something Rand recognizes can be hard to do .

“ We have a concept in Ayurveda called ‘ crimes against wisdom ,’ where there ’ s something you know you ’ re not supposed to do but you do it anyway ,” she said . It ’ s a struggle Rand thinks is heavily influenced by stress . Ultimately , it ’ s up to you to decide how much you mind the side-effects of certain foods , but Rand encourages making choices that bring you a sense of calm so that you aren ’ t approaching food from a stress-craving

28 SPRING 2023 gmhTODAY Magazine gmhtoday . com