Kapha

 Winter is almost over, and we have entered the part of the year dominated by kapha-dosha. That's when nature wakes up, and everything grows. It is also a time when we can grow, rightly or wrongly. It's the best time to build muscle, but it's also when we quickly put on excess fat and build up mucus if we don't live appropriately. To balance kapha, please keep the points below in mind, especially if you have a lot of kapha in your constitution.

• Exercise! Exercise is the most important thing to keep kapha in check. And now we have the chance to strengthen and build up the body. This is the time of year when we can exercise the hardest. Don't overdo it, but it's not wrong to make an effort as long as it feels comfortable. The best time to exercise is the later part of the morning kapha time, at 8-10 (9-11 when we switch to summer time). Alternatively, it is good earlier in the morning (but not before 6) or in the evening but not too close to bedtime. But some other time of day (not at night) is better than not at all.

• Don't sit still. Even if we exercise several times a week, sitting still for large parts of the day is not good. Jump up and move as often as possible. Take breaks from work and jump up and stretch or dance. And if you can vary standing or walking when you work, do it.

• Eat your main meal in the middle of the day and lighter meals in the morning and evening.

• Eat only enough to make you comfortably full, not overfull and don't eat until you're hungry again.

• Sit still when eating and focus on enjoying the food.

• If you are overweight or feel that you have a lot of impurities in your body, you can take one day a week when you only consume liquid food.

• Get up before 6 am and go to bed early, don't sleep during the day.

• Drink hot water before and between meals. Never drink chilled drinks.

• Eat hot food and use lots of spices. All spices except salt are good for kapha.

• Preferably eat vegetarian and at least avoid red meat. Prioritise vegetables and fruit.

• Make sure to get out in the sun now that it returns, preferably in the morning ☀️

• Be kind to yourself – play, laugh and enjoy life 😊