You’ve probably heard of the “build phase” in fitness, right? That season where you eat more, lift heavier, and focus on building strength and reserves. Well, here’s the Ayurveda girl version: building Ojas. The subtle essence that fuels vitality, immunity, mental clarity, and emotional resilience. 

Ojas isn’t about bulking up or chasing PRs at the gym. It’s about cultivating deep reserves of energy, joy, and stability. The kind that allows your body and mind to weather stress, fight disease, and glow from the inside out.

Six months ago, I knew I needed my own build phase. I was anaemic, underweight, and waking up in the night wired. 

• Constant brain fog. 

• No energy, muted appetite, eating the same foods on repeat. 

• Feeling run down all the time. 

• Chronic, “normalised” stress with debt hanging over me for 10+ years. 

Something had to change. So I pressed pause and committed to restoring my Ojas. 

I Scaled Back: Weekend and evening rest, getting outdoors daily, and quality sleep became non-negotiable. This was probably the hardest as it felt like I had so little time to work (no more gaining a few extra hours at night or working all day on weekends). 

Nourishing Foods: I focused on juicy, sumptuous, nutrient-dense foods to replenish my body. I didn't worry or think about calories; I focused on taste, attractiveness, and kept to wholefoods, including ojas increasing foods like ghee, almonds, avocados, and fresh dates. 

Connected Socially: Prioritised time with loved ones and made time for fun. 

Chanted Regularly: Mantra meditation (going to kirtan 4 nights a week and chanting japa daily). 

Refined My Practice: I stuck to a set 20-30 min daily asana practice.  
 
Switched Running for Walks: Long, peaceful sunrise and sunset strolls with my japa beads. 
 
Simplified Life: Paid off heaps of debt and let go of unnecessary stresses (realised I can’t say yes to everything > realised an unanticipated ‘yes’ comes at a cost elsewhere); streamlined my work; managed my cashflow better; reduced outgoings and frivolous spending. 

6 months later... 

My skin feels so good! Hydrated and barely any disruptions. 

Restorative sleep (waking with the sun without an alarm) and a very regular menstrual cycle. 

A resilient immune system. No more constant colds and phelgm. 

Improved cold tolerance and reduced bone and joint pain. 

Energy and mental clarity that I haven’t felt in years.

Paid off a 75% of my debt and have a healthy nest egg invested in assets.

What’s the biggest lesson?

Scaling back isn’t a loss.
Sometimes it’s what helps you win your vitality back.  

Scaling back isn’t a setback
Because sometimes, it’s exactly what builds you back up. 

There are seasons to push, and seasons to rest. Fitness calls it the "build phase." Ayurveda calls it nurturing Ojas. Both point to the same truth: strength and vitality are cultivated over time, not forced overnight. 

When we listen to the seasons of our own body and honour what it needs, healing and growth happen in the most natural, sustainable way.