Energy-Boosting Tips from Ayurveda

For abundant energy each day and at all times of the year, consider turning to Ayurvedic principles. In Ayurveda, creating energy in the body is a function of our digestive fire, or agni. This includes digestion of food into nourishment for the body, as well as digestion of our daily experiences into thoughts and actions.

When our agni is strong, we create energy from everything we ingest; however, when our agni is weak, we can turn the same things into ama, or toxicity. Ama has qualities of heaviness and sluggishness and can lead to feelings of fatigue.

How Each Dosha Experiences Fatigue

Each dosha can also become unbalanced and fatigued, which may look like:

• Vata—Enjoys movement and activity but needs to balance their natural energy with rest. For vatas, too much talking and interaction can drain energy. Vatas can seem to have lots of energy for short periods of time, but then crash later on and become overtired.
• Pitta—Tends to overdo, whether it be with exercise, work, or thinking and planning. Pittas may initially get excitement and energy from their projects, but can burn out and become irritable from too much on their plates.
• Kapha—This dosha is best at not overdoing it and preserving their energy. However, kaphas can become complacent and their inactivity can become a source of fatigue and “the blues.” Kaphas must also not overeat, as they have a more sluggish digestion and experience heaviness and fatigue from too much food.

7 Energy-Boosting Tips

1. Wake up early and meditate every morning to tap into your energy stores for the day.
2. Do some movement to get the fires burning for the day. If it is cold outside, consider doing some more vigorous exercise; if the weather is hot, gentle movement may be best.
3. Eat breakfast for your hunger level. This usually means a hearty meal for vatas and pittas, but for kaphas it may only include some warm tea or coffee.
4. Eat your largest meal in the middle of the day, and eat to your hunger level. Amounts and foods may vary throughout the year.
5. Eat fresh, seasonal foods as much as possible.
6. Do some light movement and calming breathing at the end of the day to replenish your energy stores.
7. Be asleep by 10:30 pm to maximize recovery overnight.

Energy Boosts for Each Dosha

Vata

• Spend some time in stillness and silence each day.
• Eat regular meals of warm, cooked foods with warming spices (like black pepper) to kindle your internal digestive fire.
• Have a nightly ritual that helps you fall and stay asleep.

Pitta

• Take short breaks between meetings or activities.
• Drink CCF (cumin, coriander, and fennel) tea throughout the day to kindle your internal digestive fire without overheating.
• A few days a week, replace vigorous workouts with restorative exercise (e.g., yoga, tai chi, or qi gong).

Kapha

• Wake up early.
• Drink warm teas with spices like ginger, cloves, and cinnamon to keep your digestion and metabolism fired up.
• Exercise more vigorously than you may feel motivated to do.

Seasonal Adjustments for Energy

There is evidence that our gene expression varies based on the season. A 2015 study showed that approximately 23% of our genome shows significant seasonal differences, including genes in the immune and metabolic systems that control energy production, fat metabolism, and insulin resistance. Researchers observed opposite patterns in the Northern and Southern hemispheres, as each population is going through an opposite season.

Seasonal adjustments to diet and activity can help work with nature, rather than against it. During the winter or early spring, consider a light detox to reduce any accumulated ama. This includes a detox from electronics, processed foods, overstimulating and draining conversations, and any substances such as alcohol or caffeine that you may be overconsuming. Adjust your choices to favor light, natural foods, light and heartwarming reading, and uplifting conversations with those who brighten your spirit. By “lightening up,” you can replenish and regain access to your energy.