Spring is a season of birth, new beginnings, renewal, and growth—a time for the earth to make manifest the latent potential within all things. Seeds are germinating, flowers budding, insects buzzing, leaves unfurling.
And despite our growing separation from the natural world, we are deeply affected by this gentle stirring around us.
Our physiology senses a natural opportunity for a fresh, clean start; our bodies are primed to lighten things up, cleanse ourselves of any accumulated imbalances, and rejuvenate our deepest tissues.
As the natural world emerges from its long winter slumber, it is common to experience a renewed sense of joy and inspiration. But for many, the spring season is also associated with seasonal irritants, heaviness, and feelings of lethargy.
Thankfully, an appropriate seasonal routine can help us overcome spring’s challenges while promoting optimal health so that we can truly celebrate the gifts this season has to offer.
In this article:
- Ayurveda's Perspective on Spring
- General Ayurvedic Tips for Spring Wellness
- Spring Tips for the Doshas
Ayurveda's Perspective on Spring
Spring is a season characterized by warmth (or at least less cold), moisture, and a palpable softness. It is a season revered for its gentle, nurturing presence. Spring embodies the heaviness of increased moisture, and it tends to feel slower than, say, summer or fall.
These are just a few of the characteristics that align spring with kapha dosha. In fact, the Sanskrit word kapha means “that which flourishes in water,” and what season is more defined by the presence of water than spring? Clearly, the spring season and kapha dosha have a great deal in common.
Ayurveda teaches us that like increases like. So by its very nature, springtime tends to increase kapha. And when we consider that by winter’s end, a bit of kapha accumulation is somewhat inevitable for most of us, spring has the potential to add insult to injury in the kapha department.
But just as spring melts the lingering ice and snow, it liquefies accumulated kapha (ideally, so that it can be eliminated from the body). This process can either be a revitalizing event, or it can trigger a number of health challenges.
