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GOOD NEWS FOR WACKY WEATHER
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by
View
March 16 - 22, 2006 |
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It’s nearly impossible to escape the clutches of winter without
experiencing a cold or flu—even the heartiest among us manage
to acquire a sniffle or sneeze. Just as detrimental to our health,
however, is the spring thaw. Being caught off guard when the
weather changes can throw the body out of whack, leading to
colds and flu, even as the snow melts. But there’s a cure—holistic
practitioners believe that by being in tune with ourselves and with
nature, we can stay healthy when the seasons change.
Those who practice natural medicine pin illness on
imbalances in the body. Leslie Joy is a Hamilton–area yoga
instructor and Ayurvedic medicine practitioner. She says the trick
to staying up when the weather’s got you down is paying
attention to imbalances. “Our bodies are microcosms of all of
nature and its rhythms,” explains Joy. “Right now, there’s a big
disconnect from the world around us. We need to pay attention to
what nature is saying and gradually shift into seasons instead of
ignoring them. When we don’t follow the rhythms of nature, we
make ourselves sick.”
Ayurveda is the ancient Indian art of healing that takes into
consideration the whole body. Ayurvedic practitioners maintain
that too much emphasis on any one thing can push the body into
a state of imbalance. They see diet as a big factor in maintaining
this delicate equilibrium. Joy observes that when the seasons
change, people often don’t change their diet, a key factor in
avoiding runny noses, or even just feeling run–down. “Take your
cue from what’s outside,” she recommends. “If it’s cold (like in
winter), eat something that warms you up. If it’s hot, you need
cooling foods.”
Sounds simple enough, but how does it work? The idea is to
eat foods that dry us out to stimulate the digestive system and
improve circulation. Winter is said to be bulky and wet, and
spring is also known for being ‘liquid–like.’ Spicy dishes that
include ginger, hot peppers and garlic can counteract the cold
outside by clearing our sinuses and reducing the mucous our
body would ordinarily produce in response to this sort of weather.
During this time, stay away from cold foods like ice cream and
raw vegetables. It’s also wise to avoid fats and sugar as they can
suppress the immune system by inhibiting antibody production.
And shun the salads unless they contain bitter leaves like mustard
greens and dandelions.
Diet isn’t the only thing holistic practitioners recommend if
we want to stay healthy. Exercise and stress can also play a role in
how we cope with the change in weather.
Stress is a major culprit in seasonal illness as it releases
cortisol into the system which can shut down the body’s ability to
fight disease. “Stress makes it way harder to be healthy,” remarks
Joy. “It affects the adrenal glands, liver and digestive system, and
over time, toxins can build up in the body.”
If you find a hectic schedule contributes to your yearly flu, it
might be time to reprioritize. Holistic healing is all about listening
to the body, and if you notice something’s freaking you out, it
might be time to take a step back, however impractical it may
seem. “It’s okay to feel what you feel,” Joy emphasizes. “But take
the time to tune in and refresh.” If you want to maintain optimum
health, she recommends managing your stress. Ideally, 20 to 30
minutes a day should be set aside to relax and refocus.
For those who can’t get away from the hectic nature of day–
to–day living, there’s always exercise, long known as a great
stress buster and a natural way to boost the body’s immune
system. Ayurveda prescribes exercise based on your body type or
constitution. People who are easily fatigued might enjoy a soft
workout like tai chi or yoga. Those who have excessive energy
benefit from jogging or cycling. And the easy going among us
need vigorous exercise which pushes the body to its limits.
Whatever you decide to do, “exercise is a huge factor in how
healthy we are,” Joy states. “It’s always important to be moving.”
What about when it’s too late? If you’ve got the chills and
have become a walking tissue dispenser, don’t dispare. There are
ways you can reduce the impact of your illness and cope. Yoga
provides an array of techniques that can un–stuff your lungs and
get your health back on track. Try an invigorating breath like
kapalabhati (breathing rapidly with the diaphragm) to clear the
sinuses and aid digestion. Those who are feeling particularly
stressed may benefit from nadi shodhana, or alternate nostril
breathing. Even a simple forward bend or a torso twist can relieve
chest congestion and ease those aggravated internal organs
during illness. The good news? You don’t have to be an advanced
yogi to do any of these things, or benefit from the results.
Natural health is about treating thebody as a whole, and
focusing on how it’s connected to the world around us. “It’s about
self–awareness and empowering people to learn about
themselves,” maintains Joy. “It’s about self–care instead of
running to the doctor.”
Whichever way you choose to bolster yourself through the
seasons, remember that taking our cues from nature is a safe bet
when it comes to staying healthy. Ultimately, listening to your
body will help to prevent illness and avoid the common pitfalls
associated with changing weather. When you allow nature to lead
and learn to take it easy, health can be a natural guarantee. V
[SARAH VEALE]
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