Your Constitution

The dry, light, and cold qualities of Vata play a main role in your physical makeup and tendencies. Physically, Vata types are usually thin and have trouble gaining weight. You also have a tendency toward dry skin and hair, and your skin is frequently cold to the touch. It’s no surprise then that you probably love the sun!

DIGESTION and APPETITE: Your appetite is often variable and irregular. You might also feel dizzy, disoriented, or lightheaded when you’re hungry, and often need snacks between meals to keep going. Your preference is generally for hot, oily, heavy, and spicy foods. You’re prone to constipation, bloating, and gas. Good eating habits, therefore, are essential for you to experience good digestion (see VATA dietary recommendations on the next page).

ENERGY LEVELS: You are prone to fluctuations in energy levels, with frequent bursts. One minute you are charging all over the place, and the next you’re crashing out. Compared to other constitutions, you likely possess low stamina for physical exercise and can easily push yourself past the point of exhaustion.

SLEEP: You might often have insomnia, as many Vata types do, and wake up with your head full of thoughts and superficial worries. Your dreams often involve flying, jumping, running, being chased, or some other fear-inspired episode.

TEMPERATURE: Vata dosha is easily aggravated by cold and especially windy weather. There is a lack of internal heat production, causing you to crave warmth and the sun. You are also over-sensitive to pain and noise, as well as drafts.

SEX DRIVE: Ok, I’ll just say it, you think a lot about sex! Vatas, more than any other dosha, tend to be sexually active and lead a satisfying fantasy life, though like other things Vata, your sexual appetite can vary from day to day. Your passion is quick to arouse and peak, and can be very intense. All of these inclinations mean that you might overindulge in sex, which can deplete your mental and physical energy. Fertility, for Vatas, tends to be lower than average. When it comes to menstruation, Vata-predominant women tend to have very irregular cycles and may miss periods, especially if they over-exercise or if their weight drops too low. Vata menstrual cramps are usually the most intense of the three doshas.

The most important thing you can do for your health, both mentally and physically, is to adhere to a lifestyle that will keep Vata in check. If it does become aggravated, however, then it’s important to recognize this and, as best as possible, make immediate changes to your surroundings and your situation. At the very least, avoid continuing any activity that will make things worse.

As a Vata-type person, you naturally prefer a calm, quiet environment. You like to keep warm, and you need plenty of rest and downtime to feel at your best.

Here are a few things to avoid:

• Over-exerting yourself physically.
• Over-extending yourself mentally and emotionally (i.e., taking on too much responsibility and becoming stressed and mentally fatigued).
• Cool, dry, and windy conditions.
• Loud, chaotic environments.
• Cold drinks, white sugar, and caffeine.
• Worry and anxiety.
• Impulse spending.
• Investing too much of yourself (your time and energy) into things that you find unfulfilling.
• Overindulging in sex.
• Working late at night and going to bed with worry or an agitated mind.

Here are a few things that can help calm and balance Vata:

• A warm bath (and keeping warm in general).
• An oil massage (and soothing aromatherapy too).
• Yoga, meditation, and other grounding practices.
• Spending quiet time reading or doing something alone that interests you and stimulates your creative mind.
• Engaging in work and/or other inserting and fulfilling activities.
• A warm, soothing cup of tea and spending some quiet before going to bed to calm your mind.