Ayurveda Through the Year: December

Rest, Replenish, and Stay Rooted

Dear friends,

December marks the deep pause of the year. Nature is still. The trees are bare. The air is cold and quiet.

Ayurveda sees this season as the peak of Vata dosha, gradually giving way to Kapha as the weather becomes heavier and moister (especially in snowy regions). This makes December a time when we need both warmth and strength.

And yet, this month is often the busiest — filled with holidays, travel, shopping, social obligations. All of which can aggravate Vata even more.

So the question becomes:
Can we move through this month without scattering ourselves?

Ayurveda says yes — with rhythm, nourishment, and stillness.

🌬🌧 DECEMBER DOSHA SNAPSHOT

• Dominant Doshas: Vata (air + space), Kapha beginning (earth + water)
• Qualities to balance: Dry, cold, mobile, light, sometimes heavy
• Common imbalances: Fatigue, anxiety, dryness, stiffness, indigestion, emotional heaviness

✅ Support Yourself With These

• Warm, well-spiced meals – Think cooked grains, root vegetables, and broths
• Quiet mornings and evenings – Especially when it gets dark earlier, give yourself space to slow down
• Daily movement – Gentle yoga or stretching keeps Kapha from settling in as heaviness
• Abhyanga (oil massage) – A must to protect from dryness and anxiety
• Stay hydrated — but warm – Herbal teas, hot water with ginger or lemon

❌ Try to Avoid This Month

• Ice-cold drinks or raw food
• Overstimulating media (especially before bed)
• Too much sugar or dairy (increases Kapha)
• Skipping meals or overeating
• Staying up too late

🍽 FOOD FOCUS: December Nourishment

🟢 Favour these:

• Soups with lentils, carrots, sweet potatoes
• Khichdi with warming spices
• Warm milk with nutmeg or turmeric
• Ghee and healthy oils
• Herbal teas: tulsi, cinnamon, fennel, dry ginger

🔴 Reduce or avoid:

• Cold cereals or smoothies
• Dry snacks like crackers or chips
• Too much cheese or heavy desserts
• Coffee excess (dries out the system)

🧴 AYURVEDIC BODY CARE: Sesame Oil Abhyanga + Nasya

Morning ritual idea:

• Warm sesame oil and massage from head to toe before shower
• Add nasya (2 drops of warm sesame oil in each nostril) for nose/throat protection
• Rinse with warm water or herbal wash

This grounds the nervous system, eases dryness, and keeps winter colds at bay.

🍠 Simple Recipe: Sweet Potato & Mung Dal Soup

Ingredients:

• ½ cup split yellow mung dal (soaked)
• 1 sweet potato (cubed)
• 1 tsp ghee or olive oil
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• ½ tsp grated ginger
• Pinch of turmeric and black pepper
• Salt to taste

Instructions:

1. In a pot, heat ghee, add spices and ginger.
2. Add mung dal and sweet potatoes. Stir briefly.
3. Add 3 cups of water. Simmer until soft (30-40 minutes).
4. Blend or mash slightly for creaminess.

It’s grounding, protein-rich, and gently cleansing — a great winter staple.

🌌 December Reflection

As the year winds down, let December be your invitation to come back to center. Not through discipline or effort — but through softness.

Let the quiet outside become quiet inside. Light a candle. Cook something healing. Sit in stillness, even for a few minutes.

This is the wisdom of Ayurveda:
Health is harmony with the moment you’re in.

We’ll meet you there.
With warmth,
Martin & Monika