Winter Wellness: Ayurvedic Tips for Immunity and Skincare
Introduction: Mother nature has a distinguished beauty, a mystical magic, and a bloom in the winter despite all inherent latency and slumbering. People commonly associate winter with darker nights, shorter days, freezing air, a lethargic environment, and poor health.
Contrastingly, this season allows our body to relax, revive, and rejuvenate by focusing and redirecting all the energy inward. Winter wellness can be achieved purely by incorporating tiny healthy habits based on age-old Ayurvedic knowledge. Ayurveda is a traditional and scientific system for healthcare and plays a pivotal role in attaining progressive health transitions as it has a comprehensive approach imbibing both internal and external well-being.
Table of Contents
Skincare–
Skin being the largest organ suffers the most in winter. Dry and gusty winds make the skin dry, flaky, chapped, and scalp itchy. Some tips from Ayurvedic wisdom to nourish and restore skin health are-
- Oil massage is a fundamental practice in ayurvedic winter skincare. Our skin is most receptive in winter. Massage with mustard or sesame oil at night or before bathing improves blood circulation in the body leaving the skin nourished and radiant.
- Covering the skin using woolens and scarves when moving out or when exposed to chilly winds protects it from the havoc of cold air and dropping temperature.
- Hydration plays a key role in maintaining healthier skin. During winter, the volume of water intake in the body gets reduced as we feel less thirsty. So, drinking enough water makes the skin hydrated and smooth.
- Sunbathing is essential to ensure the optimum supply of Vitamin D in the body to maintain skin health. But be cautious and avoid excessive exposure to sunlight.
- Avoid rampant use of branded moisturizers and sunscreens containing harmful chemicals.
- Make homemade cleansers and facemasks using raw milk, honey, chickpea flour, turmeric, rose water, aloe vera, yogurt, and glycerin. DIY skincare regime should be solely based on the skin type. These traditional ingredients not only exfoliate the skin but also form an antibacterial shield around the skin.
- Avoid hot water showers as it makes skin dry and depleted. Instead, lukewarm water should be used. Maintain other regular hygiene practices to protect the skin from any inflammation.
Immunity–
It is often perceived that winter erodes the immune system. However, Ayurveda believes the other way around and offers an enduring guide for escalating immunity in this season. Some clues from Ayurveda principles to build a robust immune system are-
- Ayurveda propounds a system of seasonal living and staying in harmony with natural cycles and extrinsic environments. Winters demand a shift in our dietary habits as there is an increase in appetite. So, the diet should be organic, wholesome, and easily digestible. Daily meals should include a balanced diet of vegetables, fruits, and superfoods called millet.
- Jaggery, honey, and dates should be used as substitutes for sugar.
- Replace tea or coffee with healthy, warm, homemade brews like turmeric water and soups in the morning and turmeric milk at night.
- Sipping small volumes of concoctions made out of cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, black pepper, tulsi, raw turmeric, etc. helps to alleviate allergies and infections.
- Increase consumption of vitamin C-rich foods like amla, lime, and tomatoes. It develops strong immunity in the body and supports to fight winter cough and cold issues.
- Perform relaxation techniques like pranayama and meditation to relax the nervous system and improve oxygen circulation in the blood. They are beneficial for improving respiratory health. In addition, steam inhalation and putting a few oil drops in the nasal passage also clear the respiratory tract and kill germs.
- Practice yogic asanas like Surya Namaskar daily for 15-20 mins. This helps in body stretching, reducing stress, and elevating mood. Constant stress levels severely weaken the immune system.
- A spoonful of ayurvedic jam called Chyawanprash, made up of 20-30 immunity propelling herbs, in the morning will be an additional boon as it enhances digestion and offers protection against seasonal diseases.
- Intake of basic Ayurvedic herbs and formulations like giloy, ashwagandha, and pipalaki, develops a stronger defense framework in the body.
- Ensure to have quality and enough sleep. Proper rest accelerates the repair mechanism in the body and enables it to resist the attack of infection-causing germs and viruses.
Conclusion
The embracement of such Ayurvedic practices not only improves skin health and immunity but also promotes the long-term well-being of the human body and soul. So, this winter give a farewell to all winter worries. Instead, be winter-ready with balanced Ayurvedic approaches. Get along with the enchanting realms of Ayurveda and empower the body’s defense mechanism. Enjoy the outside picturesque environment and party with the elements of winter. Have a kickstart for a vibrant winter life with natural remedies and develop resilience and healing with Ayurvedic lifestyle adjustments.
