Cool, damp and heavy. Kapha that built up in winter melts in spring, which can show up as colds, congestion and sluggishness.
Hot, bright and intense. Heat builds in the body and mind, and can show up as irritability, skin rashes or acidity.
Cool, dry, windy and changeable. Vata rises, which can show up as dry skin, restless sleep, worry and irregular digestion.
Classical Ayurveda, developed in India, divides the year into six two-month seasons called ritus. Dates are approximate and shift with your climate — notice the weather around you rather than the calendar.
| Ritu | Roughly | Character | Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shishira late winter | mid-Jan – mid-Mar | Cold, dry; strong appetite | Warm, nourishing meals; stay warm; oil massage |
| Vasanta spring | mid-Mar – mid-May | Kapha melts; heaviness, allergies | Lighter food, honey, ginger; vigorous exercise |
| Grishma summer | mid-May – mid-Jul | Hot, dry; energy drops | Cooling drinks, sweet fruit; rest in the shade |
| Varsha monsoon | mid-Jul – mid-Sep | Damp; digestion weakens, vata rises | Warm, freshly cooked, easy-to-digest food |
| Sharad autumn | mid-Sep – mid-Nov | Hot days after rain; pitta peaks | Bitter and sweet tastes, ghee; avoid excess heat |
| Hemanta early winter | mid-Nov – mid-Jan | Cool; strong digestion | Hearty, warming meals; regular exercise |
Ayurveda is a traditional system of medicine. These tools are educational. They are not a diagnosis or treatment — never stop prescribed medication or replace professional care based on them.