Here in the northern hemisphere, autumn is definitely starting to settle in.
The days are getting shorter, the leaves are changing colour and a distinct change is taking place in nature’s colour palette.
And you may be noticing these external shifts are being mirrored by some internal adjustments – physically, mentally, or emotionally?
This seasonal shift is what Ayurveda, the ancient Indian science of healing, refers to as Vata season, which typically runs from late autumn through early winter. If you’re new to this subject, Ayurveda teaches that understanding the cycles of nature and how they influence our inner landscape is key to staying balanced.
Naturally, maintaining balance is important all year-round. But Vata season is one to pay particular attention to.
An introduction to the doshas: Vata, Pitta, Kapha
In Ayurveda, everyone has a unique mind-body constitution, or Prakriti, which is made up of varying proportions of the three doshas: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. While we all have a mix of these energies, one or two doshas tend to dominate and shape our physical, mental, and emotional traits.
Vata is associated with the elements of air and space. It governs movement, including circulation, breathing, and mental activity. People with a strong Vata constitution tend to be creative, energetic, and quick-thinking. However, when Vata is imbalanced (which often happens during Vata season), it can manifest as anxiety, restlessness, dry skin, or feelings of being “ungrounded.”
Pitta is linked to fire and water and controls digestion, metabolism, and energy production. Pitta types are typically driven, focused, and intelligent. However, too much Pitta can lead to irritability, inflammation, and overheating.
Kapha represents earth and water. This dosha provides structure, stability, and fluid balance in the body. Those with a predominantly Kapha constitution are often calm, nurturing, and steady. When Kapha is out of balance, it can cause lethargy, weight gain, and resistance to change.
Diet and lifestyle habits can help us keep our dominant doshas balanced, and there are different recommendations for each dosha. When they become imbalanced, diseases can start to occur in our bodies. And we can also feel mentally and emotionally out-of-sorts.
You can discover your mind-body constitution by taking a dosha quiz – easily found online. Once you know what your dominant dosha is, then you can take steps to adjust your diet and lifestyle accordingly.
The Doshas and the Seasons
The doshas not only govern our individual constitutions, they are also closely connected to the changing seasons, reflecting and responding to the natural shifts in the environment. Each season has qualities that mirror one of the doshas, and this relationship helps us understand how to align our habits with what’s happening in nature.
Vata season corresponds with late autumn and early winter. Kapha season comes through in late winter through to spring. And summer is when Pitta qualities come more strongly to the fore.
What this means, is that we all need to be mindful of the current seasonal dosha in addition to our personal dominant dosha. For example, if you’re Pitta or Kapha-dominant, you still need to keep your Vata in balance during Vata season.
And if you’re Vata dominant, you also need to be mindful of balancing your Pitta during summer time and Kapha during late winter/early spring.
Of the three, however, Vata season is the one to pay the most attention to.
Because Vata represents movement, it is inherently unstable and is the dosha that most easily becomes unbalanced.
How to Stay Balanced During Vata Season
During Vata season, may of us (regardless of our dominant dosha) tend to feel the effects of increased Vata energy. This can leave us feeling scattered, anxious, or fatigued. The goal is to balance this light, dry, and airy energy with warmth, grounding, and nourishment.
And of course, if Vata is your dominant dosha, you need to be especially mindful of maintaining balance during this time of year.
To maintain balance and wellbeing during Vata season, Ayurveda recommends practices that are calming, warming, and stabilising. Here are some easy, practical tips you can incorporate into your daily routine:
1. Stay Warm
Vata’s qualities are cold, dry, and light, so embracing warmth is key. This includes:
– Dressing in layers, wearing cosy scarves, and sipping warm herbal teas throughout the day.
– Adding warming spices to your food, such as ginger, cinnamon, cumin, and turmeric, which help to stoke your inner fire.
2. Prioritize Grounding Foods
Vata imbalances can manifest as dryness and restlessness, so it’s important to nourish your body with grounding, moist, and warm foods.
– Avoid cold or raw foods, as these can aggravate Vata. Instead, opt for warm, well-cooked meals that are easy to digest.
– Include cooked vegetables, hearty soups, stews, and root vegetables like sweet potatoes and carrots in your meals.
– Adding healthy fats like olive oil, and avocados.
3. Create a Calming Routine
Routine is very helpful in pacifying Vata’s unpredictable nature. A consistent daily schedule helps provide stability:
– Wake up and go to bed at the same time every day, aiming for at least 7-8 hours of sleep.
– Start your morning with grounding practices like meditation, gentle yoga, or deep breathing exercises.
– End your day with a warm bath or self-massage with warm oils (like sesame or almond) to calm the nervous system and encourage restful sleep.
4. Nourish Your Skin
As Vata tends to dry out the skin, incorporating regular oil massages (known as Abhyanga in Ayurveda) can help keep your skin hydrated and supple.
– Use warm, nourishing oils like sesame, coconut, or almond oil and apply them generously before or after a shower.
– Pay special attention to dry areas like elbows, knees, and feet, and give yourself a mini massage to ease tension and stress.
5. Practice Mindful Movement
Vata season can make us feel jittery and ungrounded, so it’s best to choose physical activities that calm the mind and body.
– Gentle yoga practices, chi gung or leisurely walks in nature are ideal for keeping your body moving without overstimulating your nervous system.
– Avoid high-intensity workouts that may further aggravate Vata’s erratic energy.
6. Hydrate and Lubricate
Because Vata is dry by nature, it’s crucial to stay hydrated and moisturised:
– Drink plenty of warm water or herbal teas throughout the day.
– Incorporate hydrating foods like cooked apples, pears, and squash into your diet.
– You can also consider sipping warm milk with a pinch of nutmeg before bed to calm Vata and promote relaxation. I’m a huge fan of Golden Milk, an ayurvedic drink that incorporates many of the warming spices mentioned above. It helps to promote restful sleep.
Embrace the Season of Reflection and Renewal
Vata season is a time of change, introspection, and renewal. It’s a transitory time when we need to make adjustments to our routines to boost immunity and protect our health. Ayurvedic practices are simple and fairly intuitive. But mentally making the commitment, and following through can be easier said than done.
If you can bring your focus to promoting an inner sense of warmth, nourishment, and grounding, you’ll probably find yourself moving through the season with greater ease and more robust health. Don’t try to do everything at once, as that can be overwhelming. Instead, choose a couple of steps that feel most achievable to begin with, and as each week goes by try weaving in something else that is recommended for maintaining balance.
Wishing you health, wellbeing and balance during the coming months.