For many of us, leaving the fullness of summer feels like falling away - it can be a very disorienting and destabilizing time of the year, but that deceleration of growth heeds an increased focus on our internal world. Embracing autumn is about returning to the root of things. Autumn medicine is about deep nourishment, preventative care, and building immunity.
In Ayurvedic medicine, autumn marks the beginning of Vata season, a period that is characterized by the qualities of dry, light, erratic, subtle, and dispersive energies. These qualities permeate our minds, bodies, and environment. It is important to keep these qualities balanced with lifestyle, ritual, and diet so not to potentiate these characteristics into imbalance.
ROUTINE
A balanced Vata favors regularity and routine. Irregularities, such as skipping meals or staying up late, creates stress and deficiency - a primary cause of illness and disease. Incorporating gentle, grounding daily practices is a great way to make sure a balance is being met in our inner and outer worlds. Initiating self-care rituals is key to cultivating patience and gracefully transitioning through the seasons. Establishing a self-care practice is vital during the turbulence of autumn. Find a rhythm that works for you. A regime that is warming, nourishing, and restful will be most beneficial. Try a bath, journaling, meditation, taking a tincture, or even lighting a candle.
EAT
Favor grounding, warming, and unctuous foods that will encourage circulation and help build resilience in the colder months. Foods like cooked root vegetables, porridges, and soups are ideal. Vata-pacifying spices such as ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, and cumin help kindle our digestive fire. It’s best to avoid raw vegetables and frozen foods. Establishing a regular eating schedule will keep your digestion consistent and functioning properly.
Oiling
Before bathing, massage a warming oil, like sesame, circularly into your skin. Start from your extremities and work your way toward your heart, giving extra attention to any tender or sore areas, and the bottoms of the feet. Many people experience dry, popping joints come autumn and winter. Eating unctuous foods and oiling regularly will encourage them to stay well-lubricated and healthy. If you have an old bathrobe you don't mind getting a bit stained, apply oils liberally and wrap yourself up. Allow your body to absorb all the moisture for at least ten minutes. This practice is beneficial for calming the nervous system, grounding energy, and stimulating circulation, as well as keeping the skin well hydrated during the dry and windy season.
Tea Time
A cup of tea is always a sound choice when unsure of our bodily needs. Keep a variety of tea bags on hand or prepare an overnight infusion to sip throughout the day. Favor herbal blends without caffeine, if possible. Nervines are an excellent choice, as well as warming herbs like ginger, cinnamon, black pepper, and cloves.