Tourists from across the world travel to Kerala for Ayurveda retreats during the winter season. However, experts claim that the best season to actually indulge in Ayurvedic therapy is the monsoon. Sudden changes in climate leads to low immunity, which leads to diseases and infections.
A few ayurvedic tips that can help lead a healthy life; especially during monsoons are as below:
1. Substitute white rice with wild red rice and keep your dinner light. Preferably, have your dinner on or before 8 pm.
2. Get a light oil massage almost every alternate day. Medicated herbal oil massages increase the blood circulation and also ease physical stress.
3. Keep your meals light, and avoid eating outside. A light gruel at dinnertime works well.
4. 20-30 minutes of meditation every day will help soothe your mind, and rid your body of lethargy or weakness.
5. Warm food is easily digested compared to cold food. And eat freshly cooked food.
6. Apply a mix of turmeric, gram flour and raw milk to your body at least once a week. Turmeric, a natural healer will increase your body’s immunity.
7. Include plenty of warm soups in your diet. Drink plenty of barley water and broths made from old rice and oats with a seasoning of cumin, pepper and asafoetida.
8. For blocked sinuses (a common problem during this time), try these asanas: Setu Bandha Asan, Naukasan, Adho Mukha Svanasan, and Bhujangasan help stimulate the thymus gland for increased immunity.
9. “Ayurvedic therapies like Panchakarma, Abhyangya, Shirodhara, Navarakili and Pizhichil are commonly adopted during this time to rejuvenate and detoxify the body. However each treatment should be undertaken only after consultation with an Ayurvedic doctor.
10. And lastly, Instead of tea or coffee to wake you up in the mornings, opt for a refreshing brew of cinnamon, ginger and basil. They are rich in antioxidants, sans the caffeine, and actually keep you refreshed for much longer.
Leading ayurvedic hospitals conduct regular health packages for overall well being and boosting immunity.
