The Kapha Dosha: How To Eat, Exercise & De-Stress To Keep It In Check

The ancient healing science of ayurveda says that true health happens when we find balance. Keeping the three doshas—vata, pitta, and kapha—in check is an essential part of creating such harmony in the body. We all tend to have more of one or two doshas in our body and need to offset the characteristics of those doshas to get back to middle ground. (Not sure which dosha you are? This dosha quiz will help you find out.) Here's everything you need to know about the qualities of the nurturing kapha dosha and how to keep it in balance using food, movement, and lifestyle shifts.

Emotionally, those who are kapha-dominant are loyal, patient, thoughtful, nurturing, and calm. When in balance, kaphas are drawn to routines. Though they tend to be slow to pick up new habits, they are great at sticking with them for the long haul. Too much kapha can lead to stubbornness and avoidance.

Too much kapha in the body can cause heaviness and stagnation and lead to physical symptoms like nausea, slow digestion, lethargy, congestion, and swelling. Weight gain is another indication of unbalanced kapha, along with excessive oiliness in the skin, enlarged pores, blackheads, and cystic acne. Emotionally, a kapha imbalance could look like a general resistance to change or the tendency to hold on to situations and scenarios for too long.

Those who have a kapha imbalance should also reach for energizing essential oils like cinnamon and eucalyptus and surround themselves with warm, bright colors like red, yellow, orange, and green. A dry brushing routine can help promote movement and circulation in the body too.

Eating for your dosha can go a long way in keeping you feeling great, but keep in mind that this kind of intentional eating is more a practice and less a list of hard-and-fast rules. Here is an overview of the Ayurvedic diet.

The rule of thumb for kapha nutrition is to keep it light but lively. Kaphas should consider eating less in the mornings and evenings and making lunch the biggest meal of the day, skipping snacks when they can, and giving themselves plenty of time to digest before bed.

Make time for mindful stretching, too: "Stretching is good for kaphas because their joints and ligaments tend to be less elastic and more rigid than other doshic types," says Stanton.

The very qualities that make kapha the most nurturing and protective of the three doshas can become an issue when they veer into heavy and stagnant territory. Seeking out stimulation and movement can help keep kapha-dominant types in check.