In Ayurveda the seasons are characterized by vata, pitta and kapha. Recognising these changes and adapting your day to day lifestyle will ensure that you remain healthy and happy throughout the year.
Autumn is characterized as being dry, light, cold, windy, rough and empty, if you liken it to leaves falling from the trees. These qualities are vata related, therefore following a vata pacifying routine is advised.
Maintaining a good routine is grounding for vata types. Vata by nature is all about movement and by ensuring you have some sort of routine is soothing for vata types, especially at this time of the year.
Waking and sleeping at the same time and eating at regular mealtimes is beneficial. Ensuring that foods are cooked, warming and nourishing, think comforting porridge for breakfast, soups, dhals, stews and steamed vegetables for lunch and dinner. A comforting mug of warm milk before bed with spices of ginger, cardamom and nutmeg is relaxing for the mind and body. The use of sesame oil as a massage medium is warming and soothing for vata types, before you shower rub this oil into your body from head to toe.
Avoid anything too strenuous exercise wise (unless you are of Kapha prakriti), walks in nature and yoga are beneficial, ensuring you wrap up warm and keeping your head, neck and ears covered on windy days.
Above all else enjoy this beautiful time of year taking each moment as it comes, staying positive, joyful, healthy and happy.
