As the turn of the season brings cooler temperatures, dryer air, and shorter days, ayurveda helps us to learn how we should adapt our habits to maintain our happiness and well-being.
Ayurveda, which translates as ayu (life) veda (knowledge), is the oldest recorded form of health practice, with evidence dating as far back as 3000 BCE. Ayurveda is an elemental life science, viewing all things on our planet as composed of ether, air, fire, water, and earth; including us. Combinations of these elements, known as the doshas, give rise to specialized properties, like the blended shades of a color wheel. Each person is born with a different combination of doshas: vata (ether + air), pitta (fire + water), and kapha (earth + water). Ayurveda helps us learn more about what makes us fundamentally unique and teaches us about the sacred balance between our doshas and how to maintain balance.
According to Ayurveda, Autumn coincides with vata season. Vata, as the combination of ether and air, has the qualities of dry, cool, subtle, mobile, and light. During this season, we should bring about more of the opposite qualities such as moist, warm, stable, heavy, etc. Here are a few things we recommend to maintain balance in this season:
- Show preference towards warm, lightly cooked foods
- Try to plan your meals so as to not overeat or leave leftovers
- Establish a food routine – eat meals at the same time daily
- Apply warm sesame oil to the skin daily
- Begin to slow down – opt for a long walk instead of a jog
- Try restorative yoga
- Cover your head and neck when outside to protect yourself from excess wind exposure
- Consider Ashwagandha herbal supplements if stress and anxiety are high
