5 Simple Ways to Avoid Seasonal Sickness  

We’re still a month away from the official season change but Spring is already in the air here in Sydney, and along with the sudden warmer weather I can hear the seasonal sniffles and coughs in my classes too. I’ve also noticed my sinuses starting to show signs of the increased mucus this transition brings and I’m keen to take early precautions to avoid getting sick.

Moving from Winter to Spring often brings up sinus issues, mucus, immune suppression and awareness of the winter layers that might make us feel weighed down. According to Ayurveda, the traditional medicine system of India, by the end of winter we have an accumulation of Kapha Dosha and toxicity in our body.

To avoid this turning into sickness we need to support our body in processing the accumulated toxicity of Winter. I always start my Yoga Lifestyle Courses just before seasonal transition so we’re amping up good practices to stay healthy.

Follow these 5 Simple Practices to Avoid Seasonal Sickness:

1. Lemon Water with Chile 

So simple and one of my favourite healthy beverages that will stimulate digestion and reduce mucus in the body. Simply add fresh squeezed lemon and a pinch of cheyenne pepper to your water. Make a big pitcher of it and drink it all day long, hot or cold. Both lemon and cheyenne reduce Kapha, toxicity and fat in the body, plus lemon is alkalising. Add some ginger for more metabolic kick and warmth.

1. Netti Pot Sinus Flush

The Netti Pot, or nasal flushing pot, seems scary at first but after you’ve tried it you’ll be hooked and realise it’s not so bad. A wonderful way to rinse congested sinuses and open those vital breath channels, get better sleep and reduce sinus headache tension. Follow this link for a step by step how to use  a netti pot.

1. Steamed Greens Galore

Leafy greens are both nourishing and detoxifying, exactly what we need this time of year to give our immune system a boost and cleans the body of accumulated winter wastes. Leafy greens are an excellent sources of antioxidant vitamins A and C, and also provide vitamin E, folic acid, vitamin K, iron, calcium, magnesium and fibre. They contain no cholesterol or fat and they are low in calories. According to Ayurveda this is the time to bring bitter taste into your diet and leafy greens are the best way.

1. Up the Exercise 

It’s natural and even healthy to slow down a bit through Winter both physically and mentally, but after months of a slower lifestyle the metabolic process also slows and wastes accumulate in our tissues (known in Ayurveda as ama). Movement and sweating purifies and hydrates the organs and tissues, helping them to function optimally to fight any colds or flues and remove unwanted ama (toxicity). Check out my recommended yoga poses for Spring.

1. Manifestation Meditation 

Personally, I know when I feel low or lethargic I tend to get sick more easily. There are also numerous studies that show optimism boosts your immune system. Winter to Spring is a time to move forward, out of hibernation and introspection but sometimes we get stuck in that slow mentality and even get depressed by the end of Winter. For me nothing gets me more excited and optimistic for the future than dreaming big and manifestation meditations.