Fall Season Ayurvedic Routines
An Ayurvedic approach to the fall season to help keep the vata dosha happy all season long. We want to continue to build routines or rituals to pacify the vata dosha that often loves a sporadic schedule. Here are a few ideas on how to stay grounded, and focused the next few months.
✨Epsom salt bath- This is not only a relaxing activity but therapeutic as well. It helps release tension in the muscles, restores moisture to the tissues, and can open clogged pores.
✨Take a nap if you need- Often it can feel hard to rest or that we don’t have the time. If you feel like resting or binging on Hallmark all day on a cold and blistery Sunday don’t feel guilty about it, consider it your bodies need for a little rest.
✨Steam room- This helps warm up the body & improve circulation. The vata dosha can sometimes suffer from poor circulation.
✨Sipping on hot water- The warm water helps keep the lymph moving and helps you stay hydrated all day long.
✨Oil Massage- This is a grounding practice that has many benefits such as relaxed state of mind, moisturizing skin, rejuvenates system, drains lumps, restores muscles, increase blood flow. In the fall-sesame, almond and avocado oils are recommend.
✨Early bedtime- Going to bed by 10pm to help prep for the sun setting earlier and earlier and honor our bodies natural cycle with the seasons.
✨Pranayama- Pick your favorite breathing technique such as alternate nostril breath, 4 square breath, continuous inhale & exhale, or 3 part breath. These can help you stay grounded or connect back with yourself during the day.
✨Restorative Yoga-A great time to go inwards and rest. A true restorative yoga class will have 30% of work or less. A great practice to help you release stress and tension during your day to just notice how your body is truly feeling.
✨Walk or Hike- Just because the temperatures are lowering doesn’t mean to stay inside all day. Bundle up and head out for a little fresh air on those beautiful fall days.
Start with 1-2 habits and build from there. Whatever stuck out to you on the list is exactly where to start.
Fall Nutrition
The Fall in Ayurveda can be a brisk, windy, & have variable temperatures. It is associated with the vata dosha which is related to the wind, cold, and variable, scattered thoughts & emotions. With the change in weather comes changes in routines. We are in the middle of that Fall season right now. Let’s break down why these are not advised in the fall according to Ayurveda.
✨Cold food & drink- it’s cold outside which tends to make the vata dosha extra cold and become more out of balance. Room temperature or warm water is advised to keep you a little more warm to the core.
✨Salads & raw foods- Vata dosha can be related to constipation and dryness which if that is the case salads are not the easiest to digest and are typically cold. If you cook your veggies in your salad then you are good to digest & go.
✨Dry snack foods- The drying foods once more are related to constipation and can dry out the colon and intestines.
✨Limit coffee & caffeine- The caffeine tends to aggravate the vata dosha causing you to become more ungrounded and scattered in your thoughts & actions.
✨Eating too much at one time- This is never recommend as the extra full feeling can make you very uncomfortable.
✨Eating between meals- This can interrupt digestion and cause digestion issues with various doshas.
✨Nightshades- They can be too heating to the body and throw off all 3 doshas. They have also been linked to inflammation in the body.
If this list is overwhelming and has too many components start with one to two tips. Less is always more when building new habits. Start small and once that becomes a habit add another one, so you won’t feel overwhelmed.
Wanting to dive deeper with seasonal Ayurvedic practices?
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