Transitioning into Spring
It feels like the world is opening up, like the flowers of spring.
Spring is a time of transition - moving from the heavy, cold winter toward new life and growth. This is especially true in the spring of 2022 where there is hope that the COVID virus has peaked, and we are able to return to activities of the past.Spring is a time of transition - moving from the heavy, cold winter toward new life and growth. This is especially true in the spring of 2022 where there is hope that the COVID virus has peaked, and we are able to return to activities of the past.
In Ayurveda, this time of year is Kapha season. (Kapha translates as that which flourishes in water.) Some kapha characteristics are wet, heavy, dense, and slow moving. The spring congestion from allergies or colds are reflective of this season. The recommendations from Ayurveda are to seek the opposite of where we feel imbalanced. This means building some heat, lightening up, and getting moving. Time for spring cleaning on all levels!
The Home:
When I was little, my grandparents would host an easter egg hunt. The colored eggs were cleaver hidden and harder to find the older we got. My cousins and I would root through all the bushes and corners in the garden, often finding random cups or plastic bags. I now think my grandparents had an ulterior motive of spring cleaning the yard with our help ;) Approaching my spring cleaning like the easter egg hunt, now I think I need to have some prizes to be found as I do the work! Paying attention to all the things in your house and choosing what brings you joy (see Spring cleaning blog from 2019) allows us to let go of what we don’t need.
The Mind:
Not just cleaning the house but cleaning off my endless to do list. I am ready to assess what activates are most valuable to me, where I want to spend my energy and time. This season is as good a time as New Year’s to check in with what you are doing and where you want to be. Coaching is a way of creating a clear vision and personal goals, building upon strengths, making a plan for overcoming barriers, and continually building toward the vision. Schedule a free call to talk about how coaching can work for you.
The Body:
I really dread putting on my summer shorts the first time after winter. I know my winter habits of sitting cozy on the couch and baking will be evidenced in my hips. The good news is there are many tips and practices from Ayurveda to let go of winter heaviness in our bodies and transition into summer.
Get some heat! This can be accomplished with a brisk walk or yoga. (Maybe it’s time for group yoga or schedule private yoga therapy to create a practice just for you!) You can also try a Kapha Reducing Bathing Ritual with a ginger salt bath to stimulate heat and love for your body.
Spring cleaning your diet with an Ayurvedic cleanse (see My “Prime” Journey) can help shift the heaviness of the body and improve digestion. The spring eating cleanse can be as simple as giving yourself a week off coffee or wine or whatever you’ve been using on a regular basis. The break in old habits helps to increase awareness on how the body feels and become more intentional in our choices.