Feel JOObilant during the Winter. Here's How:

Recently, I wrote that winter is the season for joint stiffness and pains. It is also the time of year for increased constipation, urinary track infections, depression and, of course, colds and flu. All of these are the result of the cold, dry, windy conditions.

In Ayurveda, immunity is connected to digestion. When digestion is strong, your immunity is strengthened.
How do we achieve this? By keeping lubricated and hydrated.

Here are some points to consider:

1. Include more good fats and protein in your diet. If you're a meat eater, this would be the season to consume more meat (but organic please). A few suggestions for good fat include olive oil, fish oil, ghee, avocado, salmon.

2. Sip hot water throughout the day. If you guzzle it down, then your cells don't absorb the water as easily and you end up urinating most of it out. Warm water is easier to metabolize than cold water, especially during the winter. Remember, drink 1/2 your body weight in ounces of warm water. If you have low blood pressure, you may consider putting a pinch of Himalayan pink sea salt in your water.

3. Avoid cold foods like salads. I had an interesting experience this winter. I love salads. During December, I ate a lot of salads. I felt cold and gained weight. In January, I almost entirely eliminated salads and lost weight and am no longer cold.

4. Avoid as much as possible drying foods like crackers and toast. Consume as much as possible soups, stews and herbal teas (not coffee, though).

5. Massage your skin daily before you shower with organic sesame oil.

6. Get more sleep. The ideal sleeping hours are between 10 pm and 6 am.

7. Consume as many nutrient rich foods as possible, which is why we JOOS daily.