win the winter

Long nights, short days, sparkling snowflakes and warm people are the images evoked by the word winter. Winter season is marked as Hemanta ritu and Sisira ritu in Ayurveda. Hemanta ritu starts in the middle of November and ends in the middle of January. This falls on the southern solstice, which is called visarga kala or dakshinayana in Ayurveda. Sisira ritu begins in mid-January and lasts until mid-March. Sisira ritu falls on the northern solstice, which is called Aadana kaala or uttaraayana.

Winter causes health problems when proper safety precautions and measures are not taken. But winters can be enjoyed to the fullest when we tweak our diet and lifestyle a bit as nature intended. Since we are part of nature, these changes help us cope with seasonal changes without serious health problems.

Beat the Winter Blues

Few experience a condition called Winter Time Blues. This condition precipitates symptoms such as increased appetite, craving for sweets, chocolates, or starchy foods, weight gain, mild depression, irritability, and short temper. This condition is well marked in people who live in places that experience long and severe winters.

In winter the agni or body fire increases with the support of vata. Therefore, there will be a marked increase in appetite. The frequency of food consumption increases. We must watch the type of food we consume to satisfy our appetite during the winter. Avoid eating junk food, too many sweets and fatty foods, as these lead to weight gain.

Simple remedies for this condition are exposing our body to sunlight, exercising for 30 minutes, and using bright light when indoors.

Pamper your skin during the winter

During winter, the skin cannot naturally replenish its moisture due to the lower humidity in the air. Low humidity due to indoor heating, hot showers and baths exaggerate this condition and the skin is bound to become dry and irritated. Dry skin tends to crack and bleed. Cracked skin loses its ability to protect the body and increases the risk of infection. The best ways to keep skin soft, healthy and hydrated are

o Avoid long, hot showers and baths.

o A quick three-minute bath is recommended.

o Use moisturizing body wash.

o Apply petroleum jelly to difficult areas such as knees, elbows, and heels.

o Apply lip balm to prevent cracking.

o Twenty to 30 minutes of aerobic exercise three times a week can give your skin a healthy glow

o Ayurveda emphasizes massaging the body with oil during winter

Special care for your face

Avoid washing your face repeatedly. This strips the natural oils from our skin, making it dry, flaky, and wrinkled. Use lukewarm water instead of hot water to wash your face. Apply a moisturizing lotion if you feel dry skin. Apply sunscreen lotion to exposed parts of the body and face when you go out in the sun.

Prevention of cold and cough in winter.

Eat well-balanced, nutritious meals, exercise three times a week, and get plenty of sleep to maintain natural stamina. Avoid direct contact with people with colds and wash your hands frequently.

Hypothermia

Hypothermia is a drop in body temperature to 95 degrees Fahrenheit or below. This can be fatal if it is not caught quickly and treated properly. Any body can be a victim of hypothermia. The elderly are most at risk as their bodies do not quickly adapt to changes in temperature. This condition takes from a few days to a few weeks to develop. A temperature of 60F to 65F can trigger this condition. A drop in body temperature triggers fatal responses from the body. Blood vessels near the surface of the body narrow to prevent heat loss. Muscles contract to generate heat. The person affected by hypothermia will have symptoms such as chills, drowsiness, slurred speech, weak pulse, slow heartbeat, slow and shallow breathing. If your body temperature drops below 86 F, you may go into a coma.

Do not try to treat a hypothermic person at home. Immediately take him to the hospital as soon as you notice the symptoms. Do not give him alcoholic beverages and do not give him a hot water bath.

In Ayurveda it is recommended to drink hot water, wear warm clothes and stay near a fireplace indoors in winter to prevent this condition.

freezing

Exposed areas of the body such as the face, feet, wrists, and hands are affected by frostbite. The skin of the affected part turns white, stiff and feels numb.
Warm affected parts gradually. Wrap the area in warm clothing or keep affected hands under the armpits and seek immediate medical attention. Do not rub affected areas as this may damage underlying tissues.

Protect your little ones from the cold.

Children are usually delighted to go outside regardless of the weather conditions. To make sure these little ones have a safe and fun winter, take a few simple steps to keep them warm and unharmed both inside and out. Make sure they stay warm while waiting for the school bus in low-temperature conditions. Keep them as dry as possible in cold weather and ask them to wear warm clothes that fit well. Cover your head, face, and neck as much as possible. Inadequate head protection leads to the loss of almost half of body heat. Don’t let them overexert themselves and sweat. Sweat cools the body, which is dangerous in winter, and it becomes difficult to warm up again. Keep them well hydrated as they may not drink enough water in winter due to decreased thirst.

Other general Red Cross precautions for winter.

Dress in layers so you can adapt to changing conditions. Avoid overdressing or overexertion which can lead to heat illness.

Most of your body heat is lost through your head, so wear a hat, preferably one that covers your ears.

Mitts provide more warmth to the hands than gloves.

Wear insulated and waterproof boots to help prevent hypothermia or frostbite by keeping your feet warm and dry and to keep your footing on ice and snow.

Remove wet clothing immediately and warm core body temperature with a blanket or warm liquids such as hot cider or soup. Avoid drinking caffeine or alcohol if you expect yourself or someone you are trying to help to become hypothermic or frostbite.

Recognize the symptoms of hypothermia that can be a serious medical condition: confusion, dizziness, exhaustion, and severe chills. Seek medical attention right away if you have these symptoms.

Recognize the warning signs of frostbite: gray, white, or yellow discoloration of the skin, numbness, waxy feeling on the skin. Seek medical attention right away if you have these symptoms.

daily routine for winter

1. Tickle your taste buds with sweet, sour and salty flavors.

2. Satisfy your appetite with hot soups, milk and balanced food.

3. Pamper your body with a gentle oil massage.

4. Always wear warm clothing.

Homemade natural scrub for winter.

* Mix yellow gram (channa), green gram (moong), Greek fenu (methi) seeds in equal proportions. Flour this mixture. Use this flour as a scrub while bathing instead of soap and body washes.

* Mix a few drops of coconut oil in little water. Rub this all over your body at the end of your bath or shower. Rub the body with a towel. This helps to increase skin moisture naturally.

We wish you a healthy winter. Have a great winter!