January and February can be cold and snowy. Also, though it is, for some, the most beautiful season of the year, we can still feel tired and get sick easily. There are some simple Ayurvedic lifestyle changes which can help us stay healthy throughout the cold months.

In Ayurveda it is said that our immune system is connected to our digestive fire, the agni. Whatever weakens our digestion will also weaken our immunity.  There are a few easy ways to help us survive the winter months healthy and strong:

1. Start the day with a glass of warm water to awaken the digestive fire, which helps enhance immunity.
2. Avoid cold drafts, wear warm clothes, and don’t forget to wear a hat outside.
3. Eat fresh, organic, easy to digest foods, which are pure and wholesome. Avoid canned, frozen or packaged food as well as processed food. Avoid raw foods as it is harder to digest and could weaken agni, our internal fire which makes us more prone to illness.
4. Drink warm beverages and avoid iced and cold drinks. Drink teas made out of warming herbs. Add ginger and black pepper to the digestive tea.
5.  One of the most effective way to improve digestion and in return our health is to drink warm water throughout the day
6. Add garlic, ginger, black pepper, chili pepper and cayenne to your vegetables and soups.
7. Kitchari is a wonderful winter meal (breakfast, lunch with steamed vegetable or dinner as soup).  Typically, kitchari is part of the deeper cleanse, Panchakarma. However, kitchari can be used on its own as a delicious warming and easily digested winter meal. Nutrients are easily absorbed so the body can heal itself.
8. If you are prone to colds, coughs, and sinus congestion, it’s a great time to do Panchakarma.
9. Apply a warm sesame oil massage in the morning, let the oil penetrate your skin for 10 minutes then take a hot shower to rinse off excess oil.
10. Get an Abhyanga/Shirodhara treatment. It will increase circulation, improve elimination of impurities from the body, calm the nerves and increases the level of stamina.
11. Get a good nights sleep and if possible, get to bed before 10:30pm. Keep your bedroom without the stimulation of TV or computer.
12. Stay warm and enjoy the cold months blissfully and healthy!