Family Health Routine: How to Keep Everyone Healthy and Happy in August
August is a great time to implement and create new routines as the appending spring is soon here in the southern hemisphere and we want to aspire to feel strong and healthy. As I’m a predominant vata dosha I find it hard with colder and wet weather and thrive in the warmer months when I feel more energised and alive. People often ask me, but you are from Sweden and use to the cold and dark months. Yes, I’m born in Sweden but that still doesn’t mean your body is built for that type of climate and find it easy to adjust. I now live in Australia since many years ago, but I still struggle with the cold winters of Queensland. The temperatures can go from 5C in the morning to 20C during the day to go back to 5C at night. The houses are not built for the cold and it’s freezing indoors all the time. These ups and downs of temperatures aren’t good for the body, and it has a hard time to adjust from cooler mornings to hot sun during the day to a very cold evening and night.
According to ayurveda each person constitutes of one of more primary doshas Vata, Kapha and Pitta. Each dosha is a combination of the five elements (earth, fire, water and ether) and these can affect how each individual respond to seasonal changes, diet and lifestyle. By understanding these doshas it can help you create a more balance routine for your whole family.
Identifying Your Family’s Doshas
Vata Dosha
Characteristics: Vata individuals are typically light, dry, and cool. They may have a thin build, dry skin, and irregular appetite. They are often creative and enthusiastic but can also experience anxiety and inconsistency.
Seasonal Influence: Vata is most prominent in the fall and early winter, where the air is cool and dry.
Pitta Dosha
Characteristics: Pitta individuals are usually medium-built, with warm, oily skin. They have a strong appetite and are often passionate and determined. They can also be prone to irritability and overheating.
Seasonal Influence: Pitta is predominant in the summer, when the weather is hot and intense.
Kapha Dosha
Characteristics: Kapha individuals have a solid build with moist, cool skin. They are often calm, steady, and loyal but can be prone to weight gain and sluggishness.
Seasonal Influence: Kapha is strongest in the spring and late winter, characterized by cool, damp, and heavy weather.
Adjusting Health Routines Based on Doshas
For Vata Dosha
Diet: Focus on warm, moist, and grounding foods. Include soups, stews, cooked grains, and root vegetables. Favor sweet, sour, and salty tastes to balance Vata. Avoid cold and dry foods.
Daily Routine: Establish a regular routine with consistent mealtimes and bedtime. Incorporate grounding practices like Abhyanga (self-massage) with warm oils.
Exercise: Opt for gentle, stabilizing exercises such as yoga, walking, or swimming. Avoid excessive or irregular physical activity.
Environment: Create a warm, comforting environment at home. Use warm colours, soft lighting, and soothing music to enhance comfort and relaxation.
For Pitta Dosha
Diet: Favor cooling, hydrating, and soothing foods. Include salads, fruits, and dairy products like yogurt. Emphasize sweet, bitter, and astringent tastes to balance Pitta. Avoid spicy and acidic foods.
Daily Routine: Incorporate relaxing practices such as meditation and gentle yoga. Maintain a calm and unhurried pace throughout the day.
Exercise: Engage in moderate activities like swimming, cycling, or hiking. Avoid intense, competitive workouts that may aggravate Pitta.
Environment: Create a cool and calming environment. Use cool colours, avoid direct sunlight, and ensure proper ventilation at home.
For Kapha Dosha
Diet: Focus on light, dry, and warming foods. Include spicy, bitter, and astringent tastes. Favor foods that are stimulating and avoid heavy, oily, and sweet foods.
Daily Routine: Incorporate stimulating and invigorating activities. Regularly engage in physical exercise and keep a dynamic daily schedule.
Exercise: Opt for vigorous and invigorating activities like jogging, aerobics, or high-intensity interval training. Avoid sedentary or overly relaxing activities.
Environment: Keep the environment airy and bright. Use energizing colours, maintain a tidy and clutter-free space, and ensure good ventilation.
Creating a Balanced Family Routine
Family Meals
Tailor Meals: Prepare meals that cater to the predominant doshas in your family. For example, make sure to include both warming and cooling options to accommodate different needs.
Include Variety: Offer a range of dishes to balance the different doshas, such as a mix of soups, salads, and steamed vegetables.
Activity Planning
Engage Everyone: Plan family activities that cater to various dosha types. Include both calming activities (like yoga or meditation) and stimulating ones (like hiking or sports).
Rotate Activities: Rotate activities to ensure that each family member’s needs are met, and everyone stays engaged and balanced.
Stress Management
Customised Practices: Incorporate stress management techniques that suit each dosha. For Vata, focus on grounding practices; for Pitta, include cooling and calming activities; for Kapha, incorporate invigorating and energizing practices
By understanding and accommodating the different doshas within your family, you can create a balanced health routine that supports the unique needs of each individual. Ayurvedic principles offer valuable insights into optimising diet, daily routines, and lifestyle practices to enhance overall well-being and harmony. By involving the whole family in healthy practices and making wellness a priority, you can ensure that everyone stays healthy, happy, and engaged.
Embrace this transitional month to nurture your family’s well-being and enjoy the benefits of a holistic health routine.
