Staying Strong and Healthy This Autumn During Vata Season
It’s starting to feel like fall in central Ohio. The nights are getting cooler, the leaves are transforming and displaying radiant colors of yellow, orange and red. As the weather changes and the winds blow, it’s cool, then warm, then rainy, then sunny-extremely variable! I see squirrels, chipmunks, birds and bees working feverishly gathering food resources to last the through the winter. As the seasonal changes affect nature, it also affects us too! We are not isolated from nature, we are a part of nature and it’s seasonal rhythms.
Ayurveda notes in autumn, as we transition from summer to winter, as having Vata dosha qualities (variable, cold, dry ) and one can become easily out of balance feeling irritable, overwhelmed, dry, cold, eating and sleeping at irregular times. During this Vata season it’s important to stay in balance, take care of ourselves as we feverishly move about our hectic and demanding lives
Here are 4 simple daily self-care practices you can a make part of your day to keep you in balance.
1. Take a time out
- Meditate- just 1 to 10 minutes a day can relax, and energize you. If you need guided meditation, a great tool is the Insight Timer App
- Take a walk in nature.
- Take a break from screen time and unplug/unwind your brain .
- Write down daily 3 things you are grateful for. You will discover positivity can give your immune system a boost to make you feel better and stay healthy.
3. Rest-Sleep
- Try to get 7-10 hours of sleep. Best time to go to sleep is 10pm -10:30p at night and to wake up before 8am. Our bodies have a sleep/wake rhythm. Following this rhythm helps to keep us in balance. The hours of 6pm -10pm is Kapha time, when our bodies transition for sleep, our cortisol levels fall. The hours of 10pm -2am is Pitta time where our bodies rejuvenate and healing occurs. The hours of 2am -6 am is Vata time , when our bodies transition for the day. The Vata time of morning is an ideal time to spend in meditation, reflection or prayer since our bodies are highly receptive during these hours.
4. Eat wholesome and warm foods
- Eating foods that are fresh, nutrient dense and warm supports our bodies own ability to rejuvenate, and revitalize itself. We feel healthy, strong, and happy since we are nourishing every cell in our bodies including our brain.
- Eliminate processed foods and eliminate/decrease added sugar. Try using minimal amounts of natural sweeteners such as honey, maple syrup, coconut sugar, and sucanet. These sweeteners provide some vitamins and nutrients and require your body to work-process the sweeteners, slowing down the time required to enter your blood stream.
5. Eat plenty of green vegetables and herbs
- Green vegetables and herbs such as spinach, kale, broccoli, swiss-chard, lettuce, collard greens, parsley, cilantro, basil (and other greens) helps your body to detoxify, alkalize, heal and repair itself.
Creating self-care practices increases our physical and mental strength. Our immune system becomes stronger and this can prevent depletion, fatigue and feelings of being overwhelmed caused by daily stress. You will have energy to enjoy your life and energy to care for your loved ones.
If you are interested in discovering your own unique self-care program, contact me, Betty Brown at Bwellayurvedahealthcoah@gmail.com.
None of this information is considered medical advice. All contents are to be used for educational purposes. Please contact your medical physician before you consider making health care decisions.