Living With The Seasons: Spring Edition

Ayurveda is a 5000-year-old medical system that translates to the science/knowledge of life. It is a modality deep rooted in the ancient philosophy that we are seasonal and cyclical beings composed of the natural elements. In order to create more harmony and balance in our minds and bodies for overall well-being Ayurveda recommend living according to the seasons including our diet, lifestyle habits and exercise. When we enhance our bodies natural rhythms we can restore balance to our entire energetic systems.

According to Ayurveda spring season is known as ‘Kapha’ season. Kapha is the biological union of the earth and water elements. The purpose of Kapha is lubrication and grounding, so whilst Kapha lubricates the joints, too much accumulation can create excess mucus in the body. The seat of Kapha in the body is from the shoulders up, which is why we see a lot of hay fever and sinus issues coming up over Spring. Its qualities are heavy, dull, cold, wet and slow.

In Ayurveda like increases like, so we want to offset this heavy feeling and decrease potential mucus in the body. We do this by cultivating habits and implement into our lifestyle lighter, drying & warming foods, herbs, spices and activities. It’s also a great idea to begin a seasonal cleanse a week before the new season begins, to create more ease and harmony in our bodies for the new season. Here are our tips below to live more in harmony with the spring season and restore balance to our bodies and mind: 

FOODS

• Meals should be smaller and foods need to be lighter, but still cooked/warming.
• Favour the tastes of pungent, bitter, astringent.
• Avoid heavy foods, such as pastries, dairy, nuts, meat and pastas.
• Avoid iced drinks or foods (deplete our digestive fire-agni).
• Add in more drying, stimulating spices such as black pepper, turmeric, cayenne, chilli, ginger and cinnamon.
• Eat your meals mindfully (really savour each bite) and wait for 10 minutes before going to the next task or activity.

LIFESTYLE HABITS 

• Abhyanga (Ayurvedic self-massage) with almond or black sesame oil in the morning before bathing.
• Strengthening the immune system should be part of any season ritual, but during spring when the immune system is especially compromised this should be increased. Including more high vitamin C fruits and vegetables like lemons, oranges, red cabbage and cruciferous veggies.
• Kapha times of the day are from 6am-10am and 6pm-10pm.
• From 6am-10am is when we should avoid sleeping in, awake just before the sun to meditate, do some moderate exercise, and eat a light, stimulating breakfast.
• From 6pm-10pm, we want to start to wind down for the evening. Have a light, warm, soupy dinner, avoid turning on the TV and instead read a book, journal or do some fun joy enhancing activities. Make sure to be in bed by latest 10pm.

EXERCISE

• This is a great time of year to exercise, and flush the body of accumulated toxins from Winter.
• Begin practising Yoga to tone the body, increase sweating and aid in lymphatic drainage.
• Add in twists in your Yoga practice, which act as detoxifiers.
• This is a wonderful time of year to increase weight resistance training and high intensity training (HIIT).

As the weather becomes warmer, you may naturally feel more motivated to move. Walking outdoors, practising yoga, strength training or trying a new activity can all bring variety to your spring routine.

There is no need to suddenly increase your exercise intensity. If winter has been a quieter period, gradually building your activity can be a more sustainable approach. The best movement is something you enjoy and can comfortably incorporate into your life.

Creating A Spring Ritual

Living with the seasons is ultimately about developing awareness. Spring can be a chance to look at the habits you carried through winter and decide which ones still support you.

You might begin with one simple change, such as adding more movement to your morning, preparing lighter meals or creating a calmer evening routine. Small rituals can become meaningful when they are repeated consistently.

Ayurveda provides a traditional framework for understanding seasonal changes and encouraging harmony between lifestyle and environment. You can use these principles as inspiration while adapting them to your own body, circumstances and needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Kapha season?

In Ayurvedic tradition, spring is associated with Kapha and the qualities of earth and water. Traditional practices focus on balancing these qualities through warmth, lightness and movement.

What foods are recommended during spring in Ayurveda?

Traditional Ayurvedic guidance generally favours lighter, warm foods and pungent, bitter and astringent flavours during spring. Individual nutritional needs should always be considered.

Why is movement encouraged in spring?

Spring is traditionally associated with increased activity and movement after winter. Walking, yoga, strength training and other enjoyable forms of exercise can support an active seasonal routine.

What does living with the seasons mean?

It means adapting aspects of your daily routine, including food, movement, sleep and relaxation, as the seasons change. In Ayurveda, these adjustments are traditionally used to support balance and wellbeing.

Bella Rothel has immersed herself in all things wellness, nutrition, mindfulness and holistic health for the past 6 years and is currently studying Naturopathy and Ayurveda after her own health issues and is committed to equipping herself and others with the knowledge and tools to restore our bodies back to balance, harmony and complete vitality.