AYURVEDA · SEASONAL LIVING
Welcome to November! How did that happen!? I feel like I blinked and suddenly the clocks have gone back, the mornings are dark, the evenings non-existent, and we are officially heading into the final few weeks of the year.
Autumn has well and truly arrived, and with it, the inevitable sniffles and tickle throats. Our house has been hit with all of them…in succession. Before having my son, I would respond to the first signs of feeling unwell with some early nights and extra self-care, but these days, with a one-year-old running around, I don’t always have the time to do it all.
And so, here are my five small, actionable steps we can all take to support us during these fragile, transitional months. Remember, we don’t have to do it all, pick one or two and allow these rituals to become woven into your life – something you enjoy rather than another list of obligations.
But first, why is it we tend to get sick when the seasons change?
According to Ayurveda, the seasons affect us greatly and in many different ways. The environment we reside in directly impacts both the body and the mind.
यथा पिण्डे तथा ब्रह्माण्डे
Yathā piṇḍe tathā brahmāṇḍe
As is the microcosm, so is the macrocosm.
We are most vulnerable during any transitional period, including sunrise and sunset, as well as seasonal transitions (Ritusandhi).
Autumn brings direr air, cooler nights and shorter daylight hours. In many northern-hemisphere climates, autumn and part of winter are referred to as Vata season, marked by qualities of roughness, lightness, dryness, cold and movement and this can be seen in how we feel – dry skin, fatigue, restless sleep, digestive sensitivities.
How Ayurveda approaches Balance
I like to think of Ayurveda as a “common sense science“: when a quality is excessive, we introduce the opposite. So, during autumn, that means bringing more warmth, moisture, nourishes, calm and steadiness into our daily lives.
So, let’s dive into our Ayurvedic toolbox and pull out five simple practises to help us navigating this treacherous time smoothly.
5 simple Ayurvedic practises for autumn
1. Stay connected to the changing environment
We spend so much of our time indoors, under artificial lighting and at one constant temperature. But we’re not meant to live at one constant state all year round. Our bodies are designs to change and adapt with the seasons.
Allow the temperature in your home to move gently with the seasons rather than relying on heating or air conditioning to maintain one constant temperature throughout the year.
Make sure you’re exposed to natural light daily, preferably for at least 15 minutes and let as much natural light in your home as much as possible.
Spend time in nature, bundle up on chilly mornings and get your feet on the earth when conditions allow.
2. Stay hydrated and nourish from within
Hydration and lubrication are particularly important considerations during these dry months. And while we naturally reach for water when the weather is hot, it’s easy to forget to drink enough as the temperatures begin to drop.
Ayurveda encourages us to sip warm water and herbal infusions throughout the day. One of my time tested favourite drinks for Autumn is a warm raisin and fennel infusion. Raisins (Kishmish) are traditionally seen as one of the original super foods, whilst fennel is known for its digestive properties. Together, they give us the immunity booster we need these transitional months.
3. Eat warm, moist, augmenting seasonal food
What food should we eat during autumn? let nature guide you. Focus on what is being harvested where you live. When everything is available all year round, it’s worth asking: where is this coming from? Visit farmers´ markets and support local where you can.
In Ayurveda, naturally sweet tastes can help pacify Vata. Think sweet fruits, root vegetables, greens, mung and smaller lentils, quinoa, rice and oats. Minimise cold and raw foods, artificial sugars, white flour and processed food, and begin to gravitate towards soups and stews.
My root vegetable, chickpea and coconut stew is exactly the sort of warming meal I love at this time of year.
4. Self-care with Abhyanga
Abhyanga, the traditional practise of warm oil self-massage is a beautiful way to bring lubrication and warmth to the body. Oil helps counterbalance Vata´s dry, cold and rough qualities.
Warm a little oil (sesame is my favourite at this time of year) and massage gently into your skin. Long stroke along the limbs and circular movements around the joints are a simple place to start.
It doesnt have to be a full-body massage everyday. A few minutes massaging your hands or feet before bed can be a lovely way to wind down and prepare for a restful nights sleep.
5. Maintain consistency around sleep
I know only too well that regular sleep and a peaceful evening routine can feel impossible at times! Yet there is no denying that the human system thrives on consistent daily routines – particularly around autumn.
Regular bedtimes, waking times, exercise and mealtimes are especially supportive. You might not have much control over what time you have to wake up, but we can often make small adjustments to the time we go to bed.
It’s easy to feel more tires as the season shifts, so this week see if you can bring bedtime forward, even by 15 minutes.
Learn to flow with the seasons.
These seasonal cycles are temporary. They come and they go.
When we realise that life is one big cycle made up of smaller cycles, it allows us to walk through it with strength and grace, without attachment.
Everything is in flux.
Trusting the process of life and flowing with its cycles is really a moment-to-moment thing and it gets a whole lot easier when we care for ourselves through Ayurveda and Yoga.
Ayurveda offers us simple tools that can make a big difference to how each day unfolds. We can experience the depths of our being and life becomes very rich.
Continue exploring Ayurveda with Roam
If you’re curious to explore Ayurveda beyond the screen and in person, I would love to welcome you to one of our Roam Retreat experiences, where we explore how to bring this ancient wisdom into everyday life.