1. Follow the dietary guidelines in Vata Diet plan below.

2. Maintain a consistent daily routine and keep exercises  gentle. Take care of your joints.

3. Make time every morning to meditate. Just spend a few moments with your eyes closed, paying attention to your thoughts as they pass through your mind.

4.  Massage your gums with sesame oil or ghee. You may experience problems with receding or bleeding gums – gum massage will help reduce this.

5. Use water as hot as you can tolerate for showering or bathing as this stimulates circulation. Then gently massage your skin with a nourishing oil like the Abhyanga V massage oil.

6. Practice the I-Yoga Moon Salutation every evening. This yoga flow stretches and relaxes every muscle in the body. If you breathe correctly as you move then you begin to relax the mind too. Initially complete 6 cycles and over a few weeks build yourself up to 24 cycles.

7. Find time for rest and to nurture yourself. Seek or create calm, safe, and comforting environments.

8. Have regular Ayurvedic massages like the Marma V Body Ritual as this is soothing and grounding for Vatas.

9. Avoid very cold and windy conditions, as well as dry climates. If out in cold or breezy conditions ensure that head and neck are covered.

10. Minimize travel and too much movement; avoid loud and noisy places as well as crowds. Try to take silent retreats and time alone as often as possible.

11. The colours that we wear have an effect on our mood. Colours that help balance Vata are: yellow, orange, and red. There is no need to wear an entire outfit in these colours but treat yourself to a winter shawl or summer scarf if you do not already have one in this colour.

12. For you breakfast is the most important meal. If it is difficult for you to have an early or good breakfast then start your day with a non-caffeinated tea with plant milk, natural sweetener and warming spices like ginger, cardamom, coriander, clove, fennel, cinnamon. The Redbush Chai Recipe is perfect for you.

13. Vata skin is thin and almost translucent. However it can get quite dry and is prone to showing signs of age earlier than expected when skin is not properly taken care of.

– Eat warm, nourishing foods with moderately heavy texture like sweet potato, oat porridge and rice.

-Vata body types need their food cooked to aide digestion. Avoid cold foods such as salads, iced drinks, raw vegetables.-Add butter and vegetable oils to food.

-You can have salty, sour, and sweet food in small amounts daily.

-Have warm milk before bed.

-Eat freshly baked breads with sourdough yeast. Avoid commercial yeast products.

-Take a hot or herbal tea with snacks in the late afternoon.

-Avoid drinks with too much caffeine – green tea has caffeine.

BEST VEGETABLES (cooked)

Asparagus, beets, carrots, cucumber, garlic, green beans, onions, sweet potatoes, radishes, and turnips.

VEGETABLES TO REDUCE

Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, celery, eggplant, leafy green vegetables, mushrooms, peas, peppers, potatoes, sprouts, tomatoes, zucchini
Avoid raw vegetables, in general.

BEST FRUITS (well-ripened)

Bananas, apricots, avocados, berries, cherries, coconut, fresh figs, grapefruit, lemons, grapes, mangoes, sweet melons, sour oranges, papaya, pineapple, peaches, plums, stewed fruits.

FRUITS TO REDUCE

Cranberries, pears, pomegranates.
Avoid dried fruits, in general and all unripe fruit.

BEST GRAINS

Oats (as cooked oatmeal porridge only, no granola), cooked rice.

GRAINS TO REDUCE

Wheat, barley, buckwheat, corn, dry oats, millet.

DAIRY

All Dairy is acceptable.

BEST MEAT

Chicken, seafood, turkey, in small quantity.

MEAT TO REDUCE

Red meat.

BEST BEANS

Chickpeas, mung beans, Pink lentils, Tofu (small amounts).

BEANS TO REDUCE

Kidney beans, black beans, etc.

BEST OILS

Sesame oil, Ghee and olive oil are especially good.

SWEETENERS

All natural sweeteners may be used in moderation.

NUTS AND SEEDS

All nuts may be eaten in small amounts if not allergic. Almonds are best.

HERBS & SPICES

Avoid using spices in large quantities. Reduce all bitter and astringent herbs such as coriander seed, fenugreek, parsley & thyme. Saffron and turmeric should be used in moderation. Have fresh ginger tea daily morning or evening.