Have You Been Winterized?

Photo: Colin Owens

What a beautiful fall season it has been this year. The warm temperatures and sunny days have made it an easier than usual transition into the winter months that lie ahead, but the trees are now bare; exposing their structural beauty and reminding us of the strength and endurance the allows them to flourish in the harshest cycle of the four seasons.

Winters can be challenging. The bitter, cold, gray days can take a toll on one's mind and body. Some people embrace the the season of snow and ice by taking up activities like skiing or snowboarding.

When I first became a parent, I envisioned myself being outside all winter building snowmen and tobogganing down steep hills with my children. Not so much. I'll get the urge to play outside as many times as there are fingers on my hand– other than that, I am watching the kids from inside the house, happily making hot chocolate for when they come in. I'm the type of person who cannot stand being cold. Once I get a chill, I can't get rid of it and then I'm uncomfortable for the rest of the day.

Over the last several years through yoga and my my naturopathic doctor friend, Pankaj Seth , I have been introduced to Ayurveda– the science of life. This system of self care has made winters much more bearable. Basically, it is a personalized method to keep yourself well balanced and healthy. A lot of it seems to be common sense, as it is about consciously changing your habits to adapt to your environment (and vice versa) and/or circumstances to maintain balance. Any time the body is not balanced means it has to work harder; the longer it takes to restore balance means vulnerability to illness and disease increases because the immune system is more and more compromised. This approach to well being has demanded I take more responsibility for my own health and well being.

According to Ayurvedic philosophy, my dosha is predominantly vatta-pitta. Winter is "vatta"(wind) in principle, and since like increases like, I am more vulnerable to imbalances during this season: super dry skin, physically chilled, susceptible to colds and flu (I used to be one of those people who would catch cold after cold and have one major bout with flu every winter).

Using the principles of Ayurveda I basically eliminate all things cold and reduce the number and change the type of activities I do. I try to incorporate as much kapha (water & earth) or pitta (fire) principles into my daily living as possible. It's kind of fun adjusting this and that to see what works and what doesn't. Here's what has worked for me:

1. Drinks: Lots of fluids, no caffeine and hold the ice!
-hot liquids. (I love my Tazo and Yogi  teas!) Even plain ol' water is hot. When I go out to a restaurant,
 I'll request hot water with lemon, which gives me an extra boost of vitamin C; at home, I'll make tea
 out of a heaping teaspoon of Chyawanprash
-red wine


2. Food: Goodbye salads, hello soup...
-hot cereal or granola with hot soy milk for breakfast.
-increase my intake of spicy food, heavy comfort foods and meat- yes, I said meat! (preferably organic)
-raw foods I pretty much limit to fruit that can be stored at room temperature
-increase use of olive oil in cooking


3. Environment: Warm and cozy please.
-aromatherapy with earthy or spicy scents
-burn candles throughout the house and of course, spend lots of time in front of the fireplace
-sit in the steam room at the gym
 


4. Activities: Less doing, more being.
-cooking (I love being in a warm kitchen in the middle of winter!)
-running indoors
-yoga
-reading
-anything creative: writing, painting, sketching


4. Personal Care: Stay warm and grounded.
-sesame oil, almond oil or mango body butter for my skin- if it feels warm the minute it touches my
 skin, it's perfect
-increase massage therapy treatments
-much more conscientious of my body temperature; the minute I begin to feel cold, I add another layer
-if I feel the early signs of a cold, I make a fresh basil and ginger tea and that knocks it out of me.
-hot baths at night
-music: less bounce, more chill; jazz, ambient, R&B, reggae, etc.
-meditation
-introspection/reflection
-vitamin D supplement 

Most important of all is guarding the mind so as to have a good night's rest and being mindful of thought patterns that can be toxic, whether it's constantly thinking about too many things at one time or negative inner dialogue– the mind is a powerful influencer on health and well being.

Winter is quickly sneaking up on us. Why not try something different this year? For instance, if you tend to lose motivation and become moody during the winter, that would be considered a kapha (water & earth) imbalance. What you need would be some pitta (ex. spicy food) and vatta (ex. invigorating physical activity) influences.
Ayurveda has been one of those things I have gratefully added to my "Toolbox for Life".  It provides yet another perspective about health and well being that seems to be missing in western medicine, although Dr. Oz and Deepak Chopra have been doing a good job of introducing it to the masses– even though it's a bit on the commercialized side. (sigh) However, if you're into your health (because what good is life without it?) Ayurveda is something worth checking out.


Resources on Ayurveda:

Movie: The Art of Being

More about Dr. Pankaj Seth, ND:
http://www.doctorseth.ca
www.bodhinewmedia.ca/


The mind has great influence over the body, and maladies often have their origin there.  ~Moliere

Remembrance is more than just a day.

Several years back, I was in Kettle Point taking in the sights and sounds of a First Nations pow wow. I stopped by a concession stand to grab a bite to eat, where an elder gentleman served me. I noticed on the hat he was wearing, it said "WW II Veteran".

I looked at the man and said, "Excuse me sir, did you serve in World War II?" He looked me in the eye and said, "Yes, I did". I then responded by extending my hand to him. We shook hands and I said, "I just want to say thank you for risking your life for the rest of us." Taken by surprise, he held my hand and replied while shaking his head, "there were times I didn't think I would make it out alive." I thanked him again and paid him my money. He sat down on a little fold-out chair, took out a handkerchief, dabbed his eyes, gave me a big smile and waved goodbye.

I can only assume how that brief conversation impacted that gentleman. I hope he felt my sincere gratitude and that somehow my words let him know his suffering wasn't done in vain; that somebody noticed his sacrifice  of a 'normal' life.


Since that encounter Remembrance Day has taken on a new meaning for me. It is an annual renewal of my vow to do what I can to create a more peaceful world. I believe every veteran carries the desire for peace deep within their hearts and as a beneficiary to their sacrifice, the least I can do is to let my actions and way of Being suggest that I am eternally grateful and I am honouring them more than once a year.

To all veterans, young and old: 

May I carry the torch lit by the desire of your hearts.

I will not rest until this work is done.

On your behalf, I call upon the younger generations

to move forward and make changes that last.

Let's turn this ship around and get it right.

Love. Peace. Unity.