Ritu Sandhi: The Secret to Staying Healthy in Any Season
Do you ever feel like your body and mind are out of sync with the changing seasons? Do you catch a cold or feel low when the summer heat gives way to the monsoon rains? Or when you travel from one place to another with a different climate? Or when you enter a new phase of life, such as menopause or old age?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you need to know about Ritu Sandhi, the junction of seasons. It is a concept from Ayurveda, the ancient science of life, that teaches us how to adapt to the natural cycles of nature and stay healthy in any season.
I first learned about Ritu Sandhi when I was studying to become an Ayurvedic Doctor. It fascinated me how Ayurveda understood the subtle effects of nature on our body and mind. According to Ayurveda, Ritu Sandhi is a two-week period that bridges the gap between two seasons. It consists of the last seven days of the previous season and the first seven days of the next season. During this time, we need to gradually change our lifestyle according to the new season. This includes our diet, clothing, exercise, and daily routine.
Why is this important? Because if we don’t follow this advice, we can disturb our natural balance and invite diseases. Ayurveda says that sudden changes in our habits can shock our system and weaken our immunity. That is why Ritu Sandhi teaches us to be mindful and flexible. It helps us to harmonize with the changing environment and embrace the new season with joy and vitality.
Right now, there is a Ritu Sandhi going on in Kerala, where I live. The summer is ending and the rain is coming. This is when we can get sick easily because of the weather change. In my country, this time of changing weather is also the time of diseases. Different types of infectious and non-infectious diseases are more common during this period. These weather changes can affect the body’s metabolism and weaken the immune system.
But Ritu Sandhi is not just about the seasons of nature. It is also about the seasons of life. From infancy to adolescence, youth, middle age, and old age, these seasons undoubtedly affect our body and mind! Changes in our seasons due to age can also lead to these types of diseases. If we don’t adapt and prepare for the new season of life, it can lead to various health problems. For example, if women don’t organize their lives around the time of their menopausal age, they may experience different health issues. Similarly, if we continue to maintain the habits of our youth in old age, it can also cause problems.
So how can we apply Ritu Sandhi to our lives? Here are some tips from Ayurveda:
- Observe the changes in nature and your own body and mind. Notice how you feel physically, mentally, and emotionally during different seasons.
- Follow the guidelines given by Ayurveda for each season. For example, during summer, eat light, cooling, and sweet foods; drink plenty of water; avoid spicy, sour, and salty foods; wear loose-fitting cotton clothes; avoid excessive sun exposure; practice calming yoga and meditation. During monsoon, eat warm, cooked, and easily digestible foods; drink boiled water; avoid raw, cold, and heavy foods; wear waterproof shoes; avoid getting wet in the rain; practice stimulating yoga and pranayama.
- Gradually change your habits from one season to another. Don’t make sudden or drastic changes that can shock your system. For example, don’t switch from cold drinks to hot drinks overnight; instead, reduce your intake of cold drinks gradually and increase your intake of hot drinks slowly.
- Adjust your habits according to your age and stage of life. For example, during adolescence, eat nourishing foods that support growth; avoid junk food; get enough sleep; practice physical activities that enhance strength and stamina; avoid stress and negative emotions. During old age, eat light foods that are easy on digestion; avoid overeating; get enough rest; practice gentle activities that maintain mobility and flexibility; cultivate positive emotions and spirituality.
By following these simple tips, you can stay healthy in any season with Ayurveda. You can also prevent or treat many common diseases that are caused by seasonal changes or aging. You can enjoy the beauty and diversity of nature without compromising your well-being.
I hope you found this helpful and informative. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to share them below. I would love to hear from you!
Best wishes for a healthy monsoon season! May you utilize the principles of Ayurveda to empower yourself with its great knowledge and live a disease-free life in any season.