Ayurvedic Tips for Autumn

According to Ayurveda, Autumn tends to increase the Vata (ruled by the elements of air and ether) for us all.

Vata is often translated as “wind” or “that which moves,”.

The qualities of Vata are cold, dry, light, mobile + erratic.

You can see these qualities manifesting outside;

The leaves are getting brittle and dry, the temperatures are fluctuating + dropping, while the wind is picking up speed.

In yourself you may see evidence of Vata imbalance in yourself if you are experiencing;

꩜ Dry lips, dry skin, dry nasal passages

꩜ Constipation, gas, bloating

꩜ Insomnia, disrupted sleep patterns

꩜ Cold hands + feet, sensitivity to cold

꩜ Feeling restless, depleted, weak

꩜ Forgetfulness, trouble concentrating

꩜ Hyperactivity (including excessive talking)

꩜ Nervousness, anxiety, fearfulness.

The best ways to combat the effects of Vata excess or imbalance is to introduce the following as a gentle way to support your physical body, whilst stilling the inner movement + allow you to feel centred during this time.

꩜ Exercise daily + consistently.

Try grounding practices like Yoga (of course), walks in the forest more than the beach, biking, Qi Gong, gentle weights to build physical strength + stability.

Practice mindfully at around 70% of your capacity.

꩜ Prioritise self care + balance in your days.

Avoid over scheduling, complete tasks with presence + purpose.

Meditate at the same time each day.

꩜ Get more sleep.

Research has shown that people getting a minimum of 8 hours sleep each night are less likely to catch the colds + flus common in the season.

Commit to a consistent rising time daily.

꩜ Eat well.

Enjoy foods that are:

~ sweet, salty + sour.

~ high in protein + healthy fats

~ cooked with warm and stimulating spices (ginger, turmeric, cumin, coriander, fennel)

~ soft, such as porridge, made from oats or tapioca and garnished with butter or oil.

If your digestive fire (agni) is strong, your meals can also include hearty grains, meat, eggs, nuts, seeds and dairy products.

Steamed vegetables, stews and soups are very grounding and internally moisturising. Ensure that all vegetables are well-cooked.

꩜ Treat Yourself to Regular Abhyanga.

Give yourself a warm oil massage. As it supports reducing excess vata.

Use sesame oil in autumn, as its warming qualities counteract the season’s cold, dry nature.