Embracing Seasonal Change with Ayurveda
I was feeling anxious, my joints were creaky and my sleep had become lighter recently. My appetite and energy were shifting a bit and I started to think that something was wrong, and admittedly, I started to spiral a bit. Was I sick? Was it a side effect of medication? Then I looked at the calendar and realized we had recently made the switch from late summer to autumn; what is called Vata season in Ayurveda.
Vata is the air element in Ayurveda- the self care and lifestyle practices that go along side with yoga and meditation practice. Vata brings with it the light, dry, and crisp qualities of air. Hand in hand Yoga and Ayurveda help us stabilize our minds, nourish our bodies and find balance in every layer of our being and every season of life.
When Vata is exacerbated, as it is in the autumn/winter season, we feel it's intense effects like a sharp, cold winter wind. This is why I felt off. This is why my sleep was light, anxiety was high and my body ached; the external Vata season was exacerbating the Vata element inside me. Too much Vata was creating a sharp, intense and windy quality in my mind, leading to racing thoughts and anxiety blowing around like a cyclone. I felt a lightness in my energy, but wasn't feeling grounded. My hair and skin felt dry, and my joint were creaky and brittle from too much Vata.
This is where Ayurvedic practices come in to help us find balance as the seasons change. In Vata season we want to pacify the intense parts of this dosha with warmth, grounding and slowing down. We want to be able to take deep meaningful breaths and gather our thoughts so we pacify the intense parts of Vata, with these self care routines and embrace the parts of Vata season that bring us balance and awareness.
Ayurveda teaches us that every part of ourselves, from our hair and skin, to our mind, body and soul, are worthy of love and care. Caring for ourselves with nourishment, spiritual practices, rest, activity, compassion and mindfulness leads to balance in all seasons.
Try these daily self-care practices, or dinacharya, to find balance and grounding this season:
Seeking out warm nourishment: Eating meals that are warm, hearty and dense to counteract the intense qualities of Vata. Think oatmeal for breakfast, soup and sandwich for lunch, and a stew for dinner. You might try making a curry or kitchari as is the tradition in Ayurveda. The heavy, warm qualities of these foods will make you feel grounded in your body which in turn will help you feel more grounded mentally and emotionally. Hopefully this also aids in sleeping more soundly. Eating salads, smoothies and other cold things will only increase more vata.
2. Drinking herbal teas: Drinking warm beverages are a great way to balance vata energy. But be careful of reaching for more coffee as caffeine will increase vata anxiety. Decrease the amount of caffeine you are drinking, especially after 2pm for better sleep and less anxiety in this season. Seasonal blends that include cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, cardamom, pumpkin, or apple will bring in the warmth you need to balance out Vata. If you feel tired earlier, good! Follow your body's natural cues and go to bed earlier as we need more rest in this season. See the tea of the month for a great seasonal blend!
3. Seek Slowness: Physically moving more slowly, or making time to do a bit less during this time of year is a great way to soften the intensity of vata energy. Slow down the pace of your walk. Intentionally slow down your breathing. Do just one thing at a time and perhaps spread out tasks over a few days instead of doing it all at once. (Save that for Pitta season when you naturally have more energy!). You may choose slower yoga practices and increase calming breath work for this season.
If you have been feeling the effects of Vata season like I have then I encourage you to make a few small changes to find the new seasonal balance.
Wishing you slowness, ease and balance as we head into winter.
Hugs,
Ren