Welcoming Renewal This Spring

According to Ayurveda, each season has its own energetic qualities. Spring is associated with Kapha dosha, which carries characteristics of heaviness, dampness, and sluggishness. It’s no wonder many of us feel tired, congested, or weighed down after the colder months. A gentle seasonal cleanse can help melt away this excess Kapha, boost digestion (agni), and prepare both body and mind for renewal.

Kapha dosha, made up of water and earth elements, is grounding, stable, and nourishing. But in excess, it can bring heaviness, lethargy, sluggish digestion, sinus congestion, and even seasonal allergies.

Spring’s dampness and warmth naturally increase Kapha, which is why many people feel tired, bloated, or congested during this transition. Ayurveda sees this as the perfect time to:

Melt away accumulated Kapha from winter hibernation.

Ignite digestive fire (Agni) to burn off sluggishness.

Boost circulation and energy for the active months ahead.

Support the respiratory system, which can get bogged down in spring.

In other words: spring cleansing is about lightening the load … physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Modern science is starting to validate what Ayurveda has known for centuries. Research on circadian rhythms and biological clocks shows that living in alignment with natural cycles such as day and night, or the changing of seasons, deeply influences our health, immunity, and mental well-being. Ayurveda has always offered this wisdom, teaching us how to eat, move, and rest in harmony with nature. I like to think that science is simply catching up.

Ayurvedic Health Tips for Spring

Here are some simple yet powerful ways to stay balanced this spring season:

Lighten Up Your Diet

Favour warm, light, and spicy foods to balance Kapha’s heaviness.

Choose bitter, pungent, and astringent tastes (think leafy greens, sprouts, ginger, turmeric, and legumes).

Reduce heavy, oily, and cold foods like dairy, fried meals, and sweets.

Start your day with warm water and lemon and ginger tea to stimulate digestion.

Move Your Body

Kapha tends to creates sluggishness, so physical activity is essential in spring.

Opt for invigorating exercise like brisk walking, running, or dynamic yoga.

Practice energising yoga postures think backbends, twists, and sun salutations that help awaken circulation.

Embrace Morning Routines

Rise with the sun to align your body clock with nature’s rhythms.

Do a quick daily self-massage (abhyanga) with warm sesame oil, followed by a shower to stimulate circulation.

Support Detoxification

Consider a short kitchari cleanse for 3–5 days to reset digestion.

Drink CCF tea (cumin, coriander, fennel) to support gentle detoxification.

Herbs like Triphala can encourage healthy elimination.

Breathe & Cleanse the Mind

Practice pranayama, especially Kapalabhati (skull-shining breath) to clear congestion and Nadi Shodhana (alternate nostril breathing) to balance energy.

Include meditation or journaling to let go of mental clutter and embrace spring’s fresh perspective.

Rest & Rejuvenate

While movement is important, balance it with deep rest. Make sure you get 7-8 hours of restorative sleep, and step outside often to connect with nature’s renewal.

Spring is more than a change in weather, it’s an invitation to lighten, cleanse, and reset. Ayurveda teaches us that aligning with seasonal rhythms not only strengthens our body but also brings harmony to mind and soul. By adjusting our diet, routines, and self-care practices, we can release winter’s heaviness and step into spring with clarity, energy, and vitality.