Canadian winters are long, cold and dry, and indoor heating makes the air drier still. Ayurveda has a lot to say about this season. The cold, dry, windy months are associated with vata, the energy of movement and lightness, and late winter brings in the heavier, damper qualities of kapha. The habits below are simple ways to stay steady through it.
Vata is easily unsettled by irregularity. Waking, eating and going to bed at roughly the same times each day is one of the most grounding things you can do in winter, and it costs nothing.
Soups, stews, dals, roasted vegetables and porridge suit the season far better than cold salads and smoothies. Warming kitchen spices such as ginger, cumin, cinnamon and black pepper make simple meals more satisfying. Try to make lunch your main meal, when digestion is traditionally considered strongest.
Swap iced water for warm water or a caffeine-free herbal tea. A few slices of fresh ginger steeped in hot water is an easy start.
Abhyanga, a few minutes of self-massage with warm oil before a shower, is a traditional winter practice; sesame oil is the classic choice. Skip it on broken or irritated skin, and check with your doctor first if you have a skin condition.
A humidifier in the bedroom, a warm hat and scarf outdoors, and lip and skin care help counter both the cold and the dry heated air.
Gentle daily movement, from a brisk walk to yoga, keeps energy up as kapha builds toward late winter. Getting outside in daylight, especially in the morning, helps with energy on short days.
Long nights are an invitation to rest. Dim the lights and put screens away an hour before bed, and keep evening drinks warm and caffeine-free.
These are general wellness habits. If you notice persistent low mood, unusual tiredness or any new symptom this winter, speak with your family doctor.
Everyone's constitution is different, so the same season affects people differently. A consultation turns these general ideas into a routine built for you.