If you often feel scattered and “spaced out,” or suffer from occasional sleeplessness and constipation, Are your hands and feet always cold? it could be a sign of an imbalance in your Vata dosha. You might also have a Vata-based personality type if you answered yes to one or more of these questions
What’s a Dosha?
Dosha is a Sanskrit word meaning "fault or defect." In Ayurveda, it refers to the natural elements of earth, air and water that are present in your mind and body.
The three primary dosha of Ayurveda are Vata (ether, air), Pitta (fire, water), and Kapha (water, earth). The element of Vata has a cooling effect on the body and mind. It is associated with the nervous system, circulation and respiration.
Vata's ruling dosha is Pitta which produces heat in the body and mind. Its ruling dosha is Kapha which creates heaviness in the body and mind.
Ayurvedic medicine believes that all five elements (ether, air, fire, water, and earth) are present in your mind and body. The five elements are thought to be responsible for how you see yourself or others; therefore your constitution can be described as having a particular combination of these elements:
Vata: coldness; dryness; clearness
Pitta: warmth; heat; moisture
Kapha: heaviness; wetness
What is Vata Dosha?
Ether + Air
In Ayurveda, everything is about balance. Vata is one of the three doshas, or energies, that make up our constitution.Vata is responsible for movement, the nervous system's activities, blood flow and elimination.
Vata is associated with coldness and dryness, which can be expressed through changes in temperature, thirst, bowel movements and skin conditions. Vata is most active in fall and winter when it is most active as a result of our natural Vata dosha season.
Vata qualities and characteristics:
light
dry
hard
rough
cold
clear
subtle
mobile
People with a predominantly Vata constitution will exhibit the qualities of this dosha "light, cool, dry and quick" in their mind or body. Your body is probably naturally thin and slender. Your hands, feet and face tend to feel cold much of the time (especially when you’re not in a room with lots of artificial heat).
It may be hard for you to get comfortable or fall asleep under normal circumstances; your bed linens are often too warm but getting colder feels nice.
You have a lively, flexible mind with the tendency to forget just as easily as you learn. Your emotions are likely fluid too: one moment feeling happy and calm; another angry or sad. People with strong Vata tendencies are often spontaneous, active, and may feel that they never have enough time in the day.
Vata in Balance
A balanced vata person is energetic and vivacious, learns easily, and has a clear and alert mind. They are also creative and expressive, and have a strong sense of intuition.
You also tend to have a clear and alert mind. You fall asleep easily at bedtime and have a balanced digestion and elimination. You'll have good circulation and even body temperature. You have a healthy appetite and are relaxed most of the time.
• Balanced Vata people are energetic and vivacious.
• They learn easily and remember well.
• They have a clear and alert mind.
• They fall asleep easily at bedtime.
• Their digestion and elimination are balanced.
• Their circulation and body temperature are good.
Out of balance Vata
If you find yourself feeling tired and fatigued, lacking focus or forgetting things, feeling spaced out or scattered, or having difficulty falling asleep, it could be an imbalance in your Vata.
An imbalanced Vata can also manifest physically as occasional constipation, gas, wind, feeling cold physically, poor circulation - cold hands and feet, dry skin, brittle hair and nails, insomnia, anxiety, and a tendency towards worry and fearfulness.
In Ayurveda, imbalanced vata is a common type of imbalance that can affect your body, mind, and spirit. It's characterised by occasional constipation, gas, and wind sometimes accompanied by cold hands or feet. Vata is also associated with feelings of anxiousness or worry.
can feel cold physically
poor circulation - cold hands and feet, numbness
feelings of being upset or nervous
How To Balance Vata
Vata is the Ayurvedic energy that governs movement, digestion, and emotions. It's associated with air and ether elements. Vata imbalance causes stress, anxiety, insomnia, and digestive problems.
To balance vata, try following these tips:
Listen to soothing music when you're stressed out. Music helps calm your mind and body.
Do some yoga every day. Yoga calms your nervous system and improves your posture.
Vata Tea is a naturally sweet, warming, and comforting herbal tea made with all-organic Ayurvedic spices that support digestive health.
Follow a daily routine. Consistent habits help keep you grounded and balanced.
Eat healthy foods. Avoid processed food, caffeine, alcohol, and junk food. These things upset your metabolism and cause imbalances in your doshas.
Drink plenty of water. Water keeps your skin supple and prevents dehydration
Wind and cold weather can cause frostbite. Bundle up well, especially when your extremities might be exposed to the elements ears, fingers and toes.
Take care of yourself. Don't neglect your health. Be gentle with yourself. Treat yourself well.
Spending time in nature, and taking intentional breaks from screens (before bed).
Practice deep breathing exercises. Breathing deeply helps oxygenate your blood and relaxes your muscles.
Meditate regularly. Meditation reduces stress and increases focus.
Vata dosha using regular vata diet
Vata Dosha Diet
The best way to get rid of vata dosha is by eating right. Here are some tips on how to eat to balance vata dosha.
1. Eat warm, cooked foods. Warm foods like soups, stews, curries, and casseroles are good for vata because they have more heat than cool foods. They also contain less salt and oil which makes them easier to digest.
2. Include lots of vegetables. Vegetables are cooling and light so they’re great for balancing vata dosha. Try adding veggies to everything from salads to stir fries.
3. Eat whole grains. Whole grains are full of fibre and protein, both of which are important for keeping your digestion moving smoothly.
4. Drink lots of liquids. Drinking enough fluids will prevent dehydration, which can lead to constipation.
5. Keep it simple. Eating too much or trying to make complicated recipes can actually increase the amount of work involved in preparing meals. Instead, choose one or two dishes that you enjoy making and stick with those.
6. Add herbs. Herbs are easy ways to add flavour without increasing the bulk of a dish. You can use fresh or dried herbs depending on what you want to achieve. For example, if you want to boost energy, try basil, mint, or lemon balm. If you want to calm down, try lavender, chamomile, or rosemary.
7. Use spices. Spices are another easy way to add flavor without increasing bulk. Choose ones that are warming, such as ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, cloves, and black pepper.