Rise with fall: An Ayurvedic guide to staying grounded in Fall

There are six seasons in general and many countries like India experience all six of them but here in the USA, we experience 4 main seasons which are Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter. During late Autumn and Winter, the weather is cold and dry. Days become short and nights are longer. Sunsets are early and it is dark before 5. This is the Vata season as per Ayurveda.

Everyone needs to look out for Vata imbalances during the Vata season

Our bodies and our surrounding environment are interdependent. Our environment is an extension of our physical bodies and there is a continuous exchange of energy between our bodies and our environment. For example, we inhale oxygen which is released by the trees surrounding us and the CO2 which we exhale is absorbed by the trees. We can quote several such examples. Hence all the environmental changes have a direct impact on our bodies. Any disruption in our environment will cause a disruption in our mental, emotional, and physical well-being.

When we transition from one season to another, we experience several changes right from a change in the temperature and humidity to daylight savings timings. These changes put our bodies in mild shock and cause several disruptions in our bodies. We experience several changes at the cellular level and most importantly our bodies also undergo hormonal changes. Studies have shown that when nature is adjusting to the seasonal changes our bodies also have to adjust. Hence it is important to establish a seasonal routine (Ritucharya) as per your Dosha just like we have a daily routine or Dinacharya as per circadian rhythms.

 During Fall and winter, everyone is can experience a Vata imbalance but Vata people are more prone to experience it. Several people experience winter blues or mild depression or anxiety depending on their Dosha type.

 Signs of Vata imbalance 

 ·      Winter blues, mood swings, and anxiety.

·      Feeling anxious or ungrounded. Restlessness.

·      Dry skin, nails, hair, joints. Irritated and dry nasal passages,

·      Reduced focus.

·      Weight loss

·      Constipation

·      Aches and pains

·      Asthma

·      Itchy skin issues like dry eczema

·      Dehydration

·       Fall allergies.

Tips on Balancing Vata during Vata season.

·      This is the best time to do fall detox.

·      Hydrate and sip on warm liquids, and herbal teas.

·      Include neti pot and Nasya therapy in your daily routine.

·      Consume warm, easily digestible meals.

·      Favor spices like ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, saffron, Black pepper, paprika, and cardamom.

·      Favor sweet, sour, mildly spiced, cooked foods.

·      Include healthy fats like ghee, almond oil, avocado oil, olive oil, sesame oil, nuts, and seeds in your diet.

·      Moisturize with gentle moisturizer.

·      Favor fruits like apples, pears, peaches, figs, grapes, papayas, limes, and lemons.

·      Favor vegetables like beetroots, carrots, sweet potatoes, garlic, okra, onions, pumpkin, and winter squash.

·      Favor grains like Quinoa, brown rice, oats, pearl millet, and moong beans.

·      Wear warm clothes but make sure to avoid scratchy wool sweaters if you have irritated skin.

·      Use humidifiers.

·      Modify your exercise routine and do more grounding exercises.

·      Meditation.

·      Incorporate yoga Nidra practice.

·      Gentle oil massage and Swedna can also help.

·      If you are experiencing insomnia and /or constipation, consuming warm milk with 1 teaspoon of ghee at night before bed can help.

·      Beneficial herbs are Ashwagandha, Turmeric, Chavanprash, Triphala, Chamomile, lavender, licorice, and holy basil.

Things to avoid:

·      Reduce astringent, cold, dry, raw, and processed food from your diet.

·      Avoid cooling foods like cucumbers, cumin, fennel, coriander, ice cream, and watermelon.

·         Avoid cold drinks and soda.

·         Avoid sugar, high fructose corn syrup, processed food, artificial colors, and chemical preservatives.

Click this link to learn more about Vata Dosha. To find out your unique mind-body constitution schedule your consultation.