Adjusting To Fall Through Ayurveda
Seasonal transitions are the most important times to mind your health, as the shifting climate can lead to imbalances of the mind and body. Find out what you can do for a healthier fall! Here are some tips gathered from Bibi’s Ayurvedic doctor in Mysore, India:
Follow a routine and make sure you get enough sleep. Routines balance all Doshas, especially Vata.
Eat local and seasonal foods. Your diet will include a blend of summer’s end and early fall crops during the transition. If you can visit your local farms and pick fresh produce, even better!
Favor sweet tastes that pacify both Vata and Pitta. This doesn’t mean sugar and desserts The sweet taste in Ayurveda refers to naturally sweet foods like sweet fruits, root vegetables, greens, mung and smaller lentils, quinoa, rice and oats.
Avoid too many cold and raw foods, artificial sugars, white flour, processed food and start gravitating towards soups and stews.
Stay hydrated. Sip warm water, ginger or CCF tea through the day. You can make your own CCF tea by blending equal parts of cumin, coriander and fennel seeds (ground or whole – about a teaspoon total per serving) and boiling in water for a few minutes. Strain and enjoy!
Minimize pungent spices like chili, cayenne, cinnamon and paprika. Ginger is also pungent, so don’t overdo it. Favor cumin, coriander, fennel, cardamom, turmeric and asafoetida.
Try grounding practices like meditation, gentle yoga, exercise and breathwork.
Spend time in nature but make sure to bundle up on the chilly mornings!
Get a daily or frequent warm self-massage or Abhyanga and try daily Nasya (application of a couple of drops of oil like Sesame or Anu Tailam in the nostrils) as advised by an Ayurvedic professional.
Cleansing is the most important practice during the Fall transition as it alleviates current imbalances, shields against their recurrence and prevents future health disorders.