Combating Winter Depression Using Ayurveda Treatment
Most people look forward to the winter season because it is also reminiscent of the holiday season and is therefore a time for lots of festivities. But among the several forms of diseases that are common in this time of the year, several people are plagued with winter depression. Thankfully, Ayurveda offers a natural yet effective remedy for this condition.
To find out how, read further below.
Symptoms and Causes of Winter Depression
Winter depression is considered by health experts as one of several Seasonal Affective Disorders, or those disorders that develop as part of the body's response to changes in season or outer atmosphere. During winter, one experiences shorter days and longer nights. Meanwhile, the weather becomes chilly such that you have to switch to winter clothing or gears that enable your body to stay warm.
As of now, experts are still in search of reasons that would explain why one develops winter depression. However, a few evidences reveal that it could be due to lack of sunlight exposure, although the extent at which this factor cause winter depression to arise still needs to be further examined.
Some of the common symptoms of winter depression include the following:
- Tendency to overeat.
- Consumption of too much sweets.
- Craving for carbohydrate-rich foods.
- Uncharacteristic weight gain.
Ayurveda Perspective on Winter
According to Ayurveda principles, winter is believed to be the time for Hemanta ritu (period between mid-November to mid-January) and Sisira ritu (period between mid-January to mid-March). Ayurveda has a valid explanation when it comes to the human body's response to the seasonal changes. Winter depression is one of those conditions. Any changes that take place on your body, physiologically speaking, is due to the increase of Vata or body fire, which aims to compensate for the extremely cold weather on the outside such that you can regulate internal body temperature.
People who have vata as their major constituent in their body are at the highest risk of developing winter depression. Thus, ayurvedic treatments against winter depression recommend reducing vata to combat any effects of this condition to your body.
Light Therapy
Since winter depression is believed to be caused by lack of sunlight exposure, then you must try to get as much sunlight as you can. In the absence of sunlight, you must expose yourself to artificial source of lighting such as sitting by the fireplace. This Ayurveda tip is believed to be really effective. Also, you must keep your home well-lit to reduce the depressive symptoms or intensity of the condition.
Moderate Exercise
Engaging in regular but moderate exercise is also ideal for relieving winter depression. One such exercise that would reap effective results is yoga. A more suitable alternative would be to regularly engage in a sexual act, since it not only improves physiological condition but can improve your mood, as well.
Ayurveda Tips To Fight Winter Depression
Suffering from winter blues? Below are additional tips that you can use for Ayurveda treatment against seasonal affective disorders, such as winter depression:
- Use a vata balancing herbal oil such as abhyanga and massage it all over your body. Concentrate the application of oil and massaging on your head.
- After massaging with the oil, remove it off your body by taking a warm or hot bath. You can also prepare a homemade herbal scrub to use on your bath, which includes a combination of the following ingredients in equal proportion: yellow and green gram, and fenugreek seeds.
- You can consume warm soups.
- Eat foods that are known to balance your vata such as black gram, wheat, oil, and jaggery.
- Instead of focusing on a single type of food, you can cycle through various tastes – from sweet, to salty, to sour.
- Wear thick sheets or clothing materials such as wool, cotton, or silk.
- Never forget to protect your feet with the right kind of winter footwear.
Keep in mind the above tips and recommendation so you can effectively combat winter depression with Ayurveda.

