Ayurveda divides the year into 3 seasons, each corresponding with a dosha. Vata season occurs in the Fall and early Winter, beginning roughly around the Autumn equinox. Depending on where you live, the climate may vary which makes the transition a bit more gradual and difficult to mark on a calendar.

If you are curious to read more about the 3 doshas, check out this article, Where to start with Ayuveda

Vata season is characterized by cold, dry, windy (mobile) and rough qualities.

Think:

Skin becomes dry, rough and sometimes cracks
Gentle Summer breezes become strong gusts of wind
Increase in activity - school, sports, holidays and harvest season
More static electricity
Cool, crisp temperatures
Nature is in transition - Many trees shed their leaves after they become dry, brittle and rough.

The primary elements that make up Vata are air and space. Those of us with Vata in our constitution are more likely to swing out of balance during the Fall and early Winter because of the Ayurvedic principle “like increases like, opposites create balance.” There is more cold and wind in the environment, so naturally there is more cold and movement within our mind/body system. Fall imbalances don’t just affect individuals with Vata in their constitution, imbalances can occur in any dosha depending on your activities, lifestyle and food choices. Read more about the doshas and discover yours here.

Because the seasons shift, creating a seasonal self care plan with routines, diet and lifestyle choices will support you in balancing (and capitalizing on) the energy of the season.

Before we get to the tips and tricks for Fall, here are a few pointers that will help you identify if Vata is elevated in your system.

Difficulty making decisions
Feeling scattered mentally and unfocused
Increase in emotions like fear and nervousness
Feeling uncomfortably cold, especially cold hands and feet
Gassy digestion - both burps and flatulence
Joints that pop and crack with movement
Involuntary movements like muscle twitches, tics and spasms
Fidgeting, restlessness, inability to sit still
Sensitivity to sounds
More talkative than usual, perhaps excessive speech
Difficulty falling or staying asleep due to a busy mind
Experience of anxiety or worry
Dry, rough and chapped skin
Constipation or dry, hard stools

Here are a few Fall Self Care practices to stay cozy and grounded.

EMPHASIZE:

What’s cooking - Eat warm, cooked foods with lots of moisture
Find a rhythm - Create and stick to a daily routine
Honor meal times - Eat meals on a consistent schedule and have dinner before 7pm
Slow down - Sit down to eat, preferably with your feet on the floor
Bundle up - Wear a scarf to protect your neck and ears from the wind
Use your sense of smell - Diffuse sweet and warm scents such as clove, cinnamon, orange, basil, Tulsi, and geranium
Daily Self massage - opt for heavier and warm oils such as sesame and olive oil, or use an herbal infusion specifically for Vata. Copper Cup Ayurveda’s NOURISH oil is wonderful.
What to eat - Veggies, fruits herbs and spices are integral to an Ayurvedic self care plan
- Favor foods that are sweet, salty and sour
- Eat veggies like sweet potatoes, butternut & acorn squash, beets, avocado, parsnip, peas, onion, carrots, and pumpkin
- Eat fruits like grapes, oranges, pineapple, kiwi, peaches, ripe bananas, plums, and cherries
- Season your meals with herbs and spices like cinnamon, basil, black pepper, saffron, turmeric, ginger, thyme, clove, vanilla, oregano, paprika, and cardamom
- Eat plenty of nuts and seeds
Hydrate inside and out:
- Moisturize the skin with oils daily
- Oil your nose - Nasya is an ayurvedic practice of adding infused oil into the nose to nourish and protect the tissues, bring about clarity in the mind and senses, balance the doshas and support clear breathing. Copper Cup Ayurveda’s NOURISH line includes nutmeg which is helpful at calming a busy mind and soothing the nervous system.
- Drink room temperature or warm water throughout the day
- Eat meals that are juicy and unctuous - chilis, stews, curries and braised or roasted meals with plenty of high quality oil (ghee is ideal)
- Enjoy steam rooms and long warm baths
Cozy up at home - Place house shoes and a robe near your bed. Wrap yourself up as soon as you wake up and wear house slippers, especially if you have tile or hardwood floors or a crawlspace.
Call it a night - Go to bed before 10pm and consider having a warm mug of golden milk with a pinch of nutmeg. Banyan botanicals makes my favorite, you can find it here
Move low and slow - Favor exercises that are slow and steady, especially ones that generate warmth from long holds
Use your breath - Take breaks to practice this balancing and grounding technique. Set a timer for 3 minutes, close your eyes or gaze downward and breath.
- Alternate nostril breath - Close your right nostril and inhale through the left nostril. At the top of the inhale, close your left nostril and exhale through the right nostril. Inhale through the right nostril. Close the right nostril and exhale through the left. Repeat.

…And a for good measure, here are a few things to limit or avoid.

Remember the Ayurvedic principle “like increases like”

MINIMIZE:

Skipping meals
Eating on the go
Eating raw food, especially in the morning and evening
Drinks that are cold and/or carbonated
Cold and dry foods, especially salads, smoothies and popcorn
Steaming as a cooking method
Vigorous movement practices like running and power/hot vinyasa yoga
Limit pungent, bitter and astringent tastes

I AM WISHING YOU A GROUNDED, WARM AND NOURISHING TRANSITION INTO THE WINTER MONTHS.

If you aren’t sure where to begin and would like additional support, consider a Custom Seasonal Self Care plan. CLICK HERE to read more and get started.

With warmth,