How I Finally Stopped Freezing All Winter (and How You Can, Too)

If you’re anything like I used to be, the winter months might find you huddled under blankets, cranking the thermostat way up, and still feeling like you can’t quite shake that lingering chill. But what if there’s a simple way to cozy up from the inside out? Enter Ayurveda—an ancient wellness system that has a lot to say about staying warm, well-fed, and balanced when it’s cold outside.

Ayurveda and the Power of Agni

In Ayurveda, the concept of “agni” refers to your digestive fire, the internal flame that helps break down food, absorb nutrients, and fuel your body. When agni is strong, it supports not only better digestion but also improved energy, mood, and overall health. On the flip side, when you’re constantly eating cold, raw foods and chasing them with iced beverages (like I used to), it’s like tossing a bucket of water on that fire. No wonder I felt chilly and sluggish all the time.

Warming Foods: Your Winter Wellness Hack

The Ayurvedic approach to winter isn’t complicated. It’s about working with the season, not against it. When the temperature dips, add warmth to your daily routine through what you eat and drink. Consider it like giving your body a cozy sweater on the inside.

• Cooked, Warming Proteins: If you’re a salad lover, you can still enjoy crisp veggies but try topping them with warm, sautéed chicken or gently poached fish or even a scoop or warm gains (rice or quinoa). That simple swap makes a big difference in how you feel afterward.

• Warming Beverages: Ditch the iced coffee and sip on hot ginger tea instead. Ginger is a superstar spice in Ayurveda—warming, soothing, and great for stoking that digestive fire. Hot water with lemon, spiced herbal teas, or even room-temperature water helps maintain that inner heat.

• Seasonal Spices: Embrace ginger, cinnamon, black pepper, cardamom and other warming spices. Toss them into soups, stews, curries, and porridges. Slow-cooked dishes like chili, bone broth, or a fragrant lentil stew naturally impart warmth and help you feel more at ease with the winter chill.

  
  

Small Shifts, Big Impact

I used to rely heavily on raw salads, cold smoothies, and iced drinks all year long. But when I started adding warm elements—like a soothing bowl of spiced soup or a mug of hot water with lemon in the morning—I noticed subtle but significant changes. My hands and feet weren’t perpetually icy, my energy improved, and I began genuinely enjoying winter instead of wishing it away.

Embrace the Cozy Vibes

Now, you’ll find me sipping hot teas, enjoying slow-cooked meals, and feeling completely at ease even when the temperatures outside dip to 36 degrees. Instead of dreading the season, I lean into it. Ayurveda teaches that everything we do to create balance—especially in what we eat—can help us thrive no matter the weather outside.

Give It a Try

If you’re tired of feeling like a popsicle all winter, give these Ayurvedic tips a go. Swap out one iced drink a day for a warming tea, or add a hot element to your usual salad.

Incorporate more cooked vegetables, warm proteins, and beneficial spices. See how your body responds. You might be pleasantly surprised at how cozy and energized you feel when you support your agni and bring some internal heat back into your life.

So go ahead—embrace these warming Ayurvedic practices, and let’s all enjoy winter a whole lot more. Feel free to share your own tips and experiences in the comments. Stay warm, friends!