Understanding the doshas: Ayurveda’s guide to balance in everyday life

Ever notice how some days you feel light and restless, other days you are irritable, and sometimes you just feel sluggish and stuck?

According to Ayurveda (India’s ancient holistic wellness system), these shifts aren’t random. They’re reflections of your three doshas – Vata, Pitta, and Kapha, at work.

Think of doshas as your body’s inner weather: Vata is like the wind, Pitta like fire, and Kapha like earth. We each have all three, but in different proportions, and they fluctuate constantly depending on our lifestyle and environment.

What is Ayurveda?

Ayurveda is a 5,000-year-old holistic healing system that originated in India.

The word "Ayurveda" comes from Sanskrit: Ayur means life, and Veda means knowledge or science, it translates to “the science of life.” It’s rooted in the idea that health isn’t just the absence of disease, but a dynamic balance between body, mind, spirit, and environment. Rather than treating symptoms in isolation, Ayurveda looks at the whole person, their lifestyle, diet, emotions, and even the seasons around them.

Central to this system are the three doshas: energies that govern all biological functions and help us understand how and why we feel the way we do.

Understanding your doshas can feel like getting an owner’s manual for your body and mind. Let’s explore these energies in down-to-earth terms, see how they show up day-to-day (emotionally, physically, and energetically), and learn simple, intuitive ways to bring them back into balance.

No complex terminology here, just real-life insight and easy advices to feel your best.

Vata – When life feels like a whirlwind

Imagine yourself walking on a windy day: energising, but unsettling. That’s Vata in a nutshell: the energy of movement and change. When Vata is balanced, you feel creative, enthusiastic, and spontaneous. You might have a bright imagination, lots of ideas, and the flexibility to adapt to whatever life throws your way. Vata-dominant people often talk fast, move quickly, and love new experiences. Their energy can be infectious, they are the friend who gets everyone excited about a sudden road trip or a midnight baking experiment!

But when Vata spins out of control, life can feel like a tornado. An imbalanced Vata brings restlessness, nervousness, and an “ungrounded” feeling, like your head is in the clouds. Ever had your mind racing at 3am with a million thoughts, or felt anxious and unable to focus? That’s Vata on overdrive.

Physically, you might experience dry skin, cold hands and feet, a gassy or bloated tummy, or trouble falling asleep despite feeling tired.

Emotionally, Vata imbalances can make you worried, flaky, or overwhelmed, jumping from one thing to the next without finishing anything (including sentences). It’s as if the wind element in you is gusting too hard, making it difficult to find calm or consistency.

So how do you calm a whirlwind? The key is to ground and warm yourself, adding a bit of steadiness to counter Vata’s flightiness. Here are some simple, nurturing ways to bring Vata back into balance:

• Eat warm, cooked meals: Vata is cold and light by nature, so warm, nourishing foods are your best friend. Think hearty stews, soups, warm porridge, roasted root veggies, or a cup of ginger tea. Comforting, easy-to-digest meals (with healthy fats like olive oil or ghee).

  
  

• Stick to a gentle routine: Vata’s love of change means imbalance can cause chaos in daily habits. Establishing a regular schedule for waking, meals, and sleep can work wonders. Try to eat at around the same times each day and get to bed early.

  
  

• Stay warm & cozy: If you are feeling Vata’d out (anxious, chilly, or scattered), wrap yourself in a blanket, put on comfy socks, and sip warm herbal tea. Keeping your environment warm (and not too windy or cold) pacifies Vata. Even a warm bath or an oil massage before bed/rubbing sesame or lavender oil on your skin, can calm your nerves and relieve that dry, tense feeling.

  
  

• Embrace calm and quiet: Vata energy loves stimulation, but too much noise, screen time, or multitasking will aggravate it. Carve out moments of quiet and calm in your day. Gentle yoga, deep breathing exercises, or a few minutes of meditation can help slow down a racing mind. In the evening, try swapping TV for relaxing music, reading or journaling.

  
  

You will likely notice you sleep better, worry less, and feel more present when your Vata is in harmony.

Pitta – When everything heats up

Think of a bright summer sun or a crackling bonfire, that’s Pitta: hot, intense, and transformative. Pitta dosha is the fire (and a bit of water) in us, driving ambition, focus, and digestion.

When your Pitta is balanced, you are passionate, sharp, and confident. You have a natural intensity that helps you get things done, whether it’s a work project or powering through a workout. Pitta-dominant people are often natural leaders or perfectionists. They have a clear vision, a strong appetite (for food and for life), and a no-nonsense attitude.

Too much Pitta and suddenly everything feels overheated – literally and figuratively!

An out-of-balance Pitta might show up as irritability, impatience, or anger that flares up over small things. (Ever snapped at someone because you were hungry or the Wi-Fi was slow? Yup, classic Pitta moment, also known as being “hangry”!).

You might feel an inward heat: feeling hot or sweaty when others are fine, blushing or getting red in the face, or experiencing acid reflux, heartburn, or excess thirst.

Physically, Pitta imbalance can trigger inflammation - skin rashes, breakouts, or an upset acidic stomach.

Emotionally, you may become critical, competitive, or intense to the point of workaholism. It's as if you were stuck with your accelerator pedal pressed all the way down. Your inner fire is burning, but it's starting to burn everything around it.

How do we dial down the heat? The idea is to calm and balance the fire without turning it off, because we still need that warm spark. Try these simple strategies when you notice that the flames of Pitta are burning too brightly:

• Chill out (literally): Bring in the cool and refreshing – in your food and your environment. Load up on cooling foods and drinks: cucumber slices, sweet juicy fruits like watermelon or grapes, coconut water, mint tea, and crisp salads. Skip the extra chillies and opt for herbs like cilantro or fennel that calm the fire. Even enjoying a cool glass of water with a squeeze of lime can bring instant relief.

  
  

• Take cooling breaks: When life heats up, give yourself permission to step back and cool down. If you’re frustrated at work, take a short walk outside (preferably in nature or somewhere quiet) or simply close your eyes and breathe deeply for a few minutes. Avoid the midday sun if possible (that’s peak Pitta time), or wear a hat and sunglasses to avoid overheating. Incorporate calming activities in your routine: reading for pleasure under a tree, or some gentle stretching can help release the pressure.

  
  

• Practice patience and play: Pitta types often take things (and themselves) very seriously. To balance that intensity, engage your sense of humor and playfulness. Watch a comedy, play a fun sport without keeping score, or hang out with easygoing friends who make you laugh. Reminding yourself it’s okay to relax and not be “on” all the time will prevent burnout. Also, try not to schedule yourself back-to-back; leave some buffer time to unwind between tasks. This prevents that bottled-up frustration that comes from overdoing it.

  
  

• Cool the body, cool the mind: Since Pitta is connected to the body’s heat, physical cooling rituals can quickly calm the mind too. In summer or whenever you feel too hot, take a shower or splash cool water on your face. Wear light, breathable clothing in cotton or linen, preferably in calming colors like blues, g

  reens, or whites. In the evening, you might rub a little coconut oil (naturally cooling) on your skin. Treat yourself to a relaxing hobby, maybe listening to calming music or doing a creative activity for fun. By cooling your senses, you naturally cool your emotions.

  
  

When Pitta is balanced, that fiery energy turns into focused drive and radiant warmth. You’ll find you can still be your productive, passionate self without the anger or stress.

Kapha – When you are stuck in a routine

Envision a peaceful lake or the rich soil of a garden – steady, cool, and supportive. That’s Kapha dosha, the energy of earth and water. In balance, Kapha is calm, loving, and solid as a rock. It’s the part of you that gives strength, endurance, and a caring, compassionate nature. Kapha-dominant people are often the most grounded and patient souls you’ll meet. They have a comforting presence – the friend who gives the best hugs, listens patiently to your troubles, and stays level-headed in a crisis.

Physically, Kaphas generally have a robust constitution, smooth, oily skin, and a relaxed, gentle demeanour. They excel at supporting others and creating a comfortable, stable environment. When your Kapha is balanced, you feel content, stable, and warm-hearted, as if you could curl up with a good book and fully savour the present moment.

However, too much earth and water can turn into mud: heavy, stagnant and difficult to remove. When Kapha is out of balance, you may feel like you are walking through mud. An unbalanced Kapha leads to lethargy, complacency and attachment. You may struggle to get out of bed in the morning, feeling unmotivated even after plenty of sleep.

Physically, Kapha imbalance often shows up as weight gain, water retention, or congestion – sinus issues, allergies, or just feeling puffy. You might notice slow digestion or that you are reaching for snacks out of boredom.

Emotionally, excess Kapha can manifest as sadness, depression, or stubbornness. You might isolate yourself or stick to the familiar, resisting change or new experiences. In short, everything feels like too much effort, so you stay in your cozy bubble.

How can you break out of stagnation and regain your dynamism? The remedy for Kapha heaviness is vitality and lightness. It's time to shake things up and breathe some warmth and enthusiasm into your routine. Try these stimulating advices to re-energise yourself:

• Get moving (even if you don’t feel like it): The hardest part for Kapha is often starting. Exercise is the number one Kapha-balancer. It doesn’t have to be intense; just make it consistent and fun. Go for a short walk in the fresh air, dance to your favorite upbeat song, or do some jumping jacks to literally shake off that heaviness. In the morning, when Kapha is strongest, push yourself to wake up and stretch. Even 15-20 minutes of movement (yoga, jogging, a bike ride, dancing in your living room – whatever gets your blood pumping) will lift the fog and release happy endorphins. Tip: play some energetic music to motivate you!

  
  

• Lighten up your diet: Kapha’s tendency is to cling and accumulate, so opt for foods that are light, warm, and spicy to stoke your digestive fire. Favour veggie-packed soups, stir-fries, salads with a tangy dressing, and legumes or grains like millet and barley over heavy pasta, bread, or dairy. Spices are fantastic for Kapha – season your meals with ginger, black pepper, turmeric, cinnamon, or a dash of chili to rev up metabolism and clear out mucus. Cut back on sugar and oily, fried foods, which only increase sluggishness. Instead, reach for fresh fruits, steamed or roasted vegetables, and lots of herbs.

  
  

• Declutter and invigorate your space: Our environment can either keep us stuck or help inspire change. If you’re feeling the Kapha blues, try tidying up or rearranging your living area – open the windows to let in fresh air, maybe add a bright bouquet of flowers or a citrus diffuser scent. A cleaner, airier space can uplift a heavy mood. Kapha loves nostalgia and holding onto things, so challenge yourself to let go of a few items that you don’t need. The simple act of decluttering a drawer or closet can symbolically lighten your load and give you a sense of accomplishment and movement.

  
  

• Try something new and stimulating: Nothing shakes off Kapha’s monotony like a new experience. Push yourself (kindly) out of your comfort zone occasionally – it can be as small as taking a new route on your walk, trying a fun recipe with different spices, or calling a friend you haven’t talked to in a while. Stimulate your mind and senses with an inspiring podcast, or a hobby that gets your hands busy (gardening, painting, joining a dance class). Socialising can also help break the inertia: meet a friend for a walk or join a group activity. Positive company and laughter are wonderful Kapha antidotes.

  
  

As you gently challenge Kapha’s comfort with movement, lightness, and a touch of adventure, you’ll start to feel more vibrant, motivated, and hopeful.

The bigger picture

Most of us have a mix of all three doshas, and that mix can shift depending on the season, our environment, and even our stress levels. Ayurveda reminds us that there’s no perfect type – only patterns to observe. One day you may feel light and buzzy (Vata), another you are fiery and focused (Pitta), and sometimes, just a little too slow to get going (Kapha).

Your body is always sending messages about what it needs, whether it’s a craving for a grounding meal, a cool breeze, or a burst of movement. The more we tune in, the more we can respond with the right kind of care.

When you learn to recognise these rhythms, health becomes more about living in flow with yourself and the world around you.

Fuel your body with nature's goodness!

And awaken your 5 senses.

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Hi, I’m Emilie!

I’m a conscious Marketer & future Naturopathic Nutritionist, helping women and children rediscover the power of real food — to boost energy, balance hormones, and protect the planet.

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