Spring has arrived!

Hello, friends.

You are probably noticing the changing of the season, on this last day of March. Depending on where you reside, the changes may be subtle or intense: Warming temperatures, bulbs planted long ago sprouting through the soil, blooms sprinkling the ground or adorning trees and shrubs, or the pollen floating in the air causing respiratory mayhem… it all is a mark of the changing of seasons.

In Ayurveda, spring is a time for the gentle melting of excess that occurred during winter, a season of cold and hibernation. This melting of excess can be displayed in the melting of snowcaps in the mountains, the runny noses so common in spring, or the exercising crowds in the neighborhood gym. There are many things that we can do to embrace the changing of the season.

Lighter Fare: To come into alignment with the season, and honor this annual change, we turn to lighter fare to wake our digestion. Instead of the heavy foods of winter, we invite the greens of spring: butter lettuces, spicy arugula, micro green sprouts, and herbs. Many farmers markets are open, so look locally for inspiration and to attune to what is growing near you. Light soups for cool nights can also be lovely. Mint tea, chai latte, or a green Matcha can be refreshing or cozy, depending on whether served cool or warm, to stay regulated when the weather is changeable in Spring.

Sacred Mornings: Earlier sunrise times can ease us in Spring and back to an earlier waking time. To lean into this tendency, look at your morning routine and consider making an adjustment that feels like a gift to yourself, perhaps a warm cup of tea, a walk around the block, a chapter of a book that you are trying to finish, or a few deep breaths. Setting the stage for the rest of the day, a peaceful morning can be a wonderful start to the seasonal calendar of 2025.

Beauty Routines: Beyond food and waking times, other daily activities can help with the congestion that can be carried over from Winter or for flushing the pollens of spring. Dry brushing (Garshana), Oil Massage (Abhyanga), and Sunscreen or lightweight long sleeves can aid by gently exfoliating dry old skin, moisturizing newly revealed skin, and protect new skin from the first warm rays of the sun this year. In Winter, skin is often covered for months, so one might be prone to sunburns during the often-changing weather of Spring. For those that grapple with excess mucous during Spring, daily saline flushes or swimming (Neti pot) can be a refreshing and effective way to clear your nasal passages regularly, prevent overgrowth and stagnation, and help in clear breathing.

Energizing Activity: Finally, we see the bustling movement and increased activity of wildlife in Spring. In Hilo, Hawaii, I see nesting birds, hear the chirping of new baby chicks, and notice wild boar families, full of new piglets. This increase in new life and activity is a reminder to increase movement of our own, through daily walks in nature, some physical activity that you love (like hula-hooping, rollerskating, dancing, or swimming), and by doing it in community with others when you can. Friends, family, and new-acquaintances can bring a sweetness and lightness to the heart, to recover from the cold and darkness of winter.

I invite you to try something new, or new-to-the-season, to bring a bit of sparkly Spring into your days this month and share what works for you in adjusting to this season. Send me a quick email and let me know what you are looking towards in the coming month and how I might help.

Hugs, Charity