After a long winter season many of us are excited for what spring has to offer. This winter has especially been rough for many of us since going outside wasn't really an option for so many reasons. But with the awakening of mother nature comes the opportunity to get ourselves outside.

Something we may notice though is that we might be feeling heavy, maybe tired and sleeping in more, and perhaps congested, Kapha season is upon us, so our body might be out of sorts and looking to rebalance and shed the winter season. The good news is there are many practices we can introduce to our lives to get us back in tune with our bodies and Mama Earth. Here are some practices I'm introducing this season to help me feel harmonious.

1. Vigorous exercise

The idea of invigorating exercise can be daunting when all we want to do is sink into our bed or couch. So first, don't worry about what exercise you choose to do - just simply show up regardless of what it is. But once you've shown up, try a challenge to keep you motivated or practice some invigorating (group) exercise. Exercises can be anything from a vinyasa class, zumba, running, swimming, tennis, bicycle riding, martial arts, and so much more. Increase your heart rate and get the blood flowing, so you can move stagnant energy within the body. Again, simply showing up is key but if you can aim scheduling exercise between 6-10am (kapha time), you're golden!

2. Nasya Oil + Neti Pot

Mmmm, one of my favorite practices during this time of year - neti pot and nasya oil. You might find that your sinuses are inflamed or congested. 'Tis the season! No worries though, because the combination of neti pot and nasya oil can help cleanse all the yucky built up.

Our nostrils pave the way to our consciousness and give us the ability to bring life into our body. So we can all agree our nostrils are pretty important yea? So, first start with a neti pot with distilled or cooled down boiled water with salt, to create a saline solution. Combine the two in your neti pot and rinse both nostrils separately. The key is to tilt your head to the side to allow the water and build up to flow and drain.

Once done, make sure to oil up the passages with nasya oil. I highly recommend using Banyan Botanicals Organic Nasya Oil (they use sustainable and fair trade ingredients - which I love!). Tilt the head back and lubricate each nostril channel with 3-5 drops of oil and sniff in.

3. Keep things new and exciting!

It's easy to fall into our comfort zones right now, so why not shake things up a bit? Maybe stir up your routine a bit and do things out of order. Try out a new experience or pick out a new veggie from the market and learn how to incorporate it into a dinner you make yourself this week. Maybe check out that new walking or hiking path you've had your eye on. Whatever it might be that calls you, take your normal routine and try something different. It'll feel good and pull you out of the rut you might feel like you're in right now.

4. Drink warm liquids + stay warm

Brew yourself some light and warming tea throughout the day like ginger, ginseng, turmeric, and black pepper. This helps to remove toxins from the body built up in the channels of the body. The end result? You might find yourself feeling lighter and and refreshed. Who doesn't want that when we are feeling weighed down?

And sometimes we need a little pick me up! Springtime is a great time to add a moderate amount of caffeine. I highly recommend introducing some matcha when you're feeling lethargic. It adds just the right amount of stimulation to the body, increasing your energy and productivity. Check out my matcha latte recipe for some inspiration!

5. Dry brush to create movement

Finally, dry brushing. This is another great way to rid toxins in the body. With moisture building in our environments and the natural elements of the earth awakening (i.e. pollen), our lymph and sinuses become congested and stagnant. With a dry brush we can invigorate the skin and consequently the external and internal systems, creating movement and release of mucus. I like to add a bit of citrus (i.e. lemon) essential oil to my brush to create an uplifting affect through aroma. Follow this practice up with a nourishing full body massage (at least one time per week). My recommendation for body massage oil during the spring is Banyan Botanicals Kapha Massage Oil. It has an invigorating, warm, and revitalizing blend of oils and herbs. Oh and it smells lovely too :-)

But remember...

Adding new things to do in your daily routine can be overwhelming so I highly recommend implementing practices slowly. Maybe add one new routine every week and see how it feels. This is helpful too because then you can start to take notice of what is helping bring your body into balance.

Check in with yourself often, be patient and forgiving towards yourself, and don't forget to take care of YOU. You matter so much.

The information and other content provided on this website, or in any linked materials, are not intended and should not be construed as medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this site.