Staying Healthy in the Fall with Ayurveda

All of the seasons bring changes that can affect our health.   Fall is a time of vata, which is the principle that moves everything in the universe.  Vata moves the wind and weather, and also moves the breath in your body.  Vata moves your thoughts, your emotions and your joints.  Vata is the easiest principle to unbalance because it is light and changeable. You need to baby this vata.
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 In North America, fall has the qualities of vata- it is windy, rough, empty, light, cold and dry.  Because like increases like, you are more likely to develop problems that are caused by too much vata such as constipation, insomnia, cold hands and feet, rough, dry skin, cracking joints, restlessness, gas, burping,  cracked nails, tremors, anxiety, worrying and fear.
     Making some easy changes to your diet and daily habits can go a long way to keeping you in balance.  Here are some suggestions for keeping vata calm and quiet in the fall.

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         -Keep warm, keep your ears covered, keep calm and quiet, avoid cold foods and drinks.
     -Keep as regular a schedule as you can.  Go to bed before 10 pm.  Wake up early in the morning so you can     start your day sanely and quietly.  Eat your meals at the same time each day.  Do your best.
     -Give yourself a nice warm oil massage in the morning (see my post on abhyanga on how to do that). 
     -Wear some warm fall colors – reds, yellows, oranges.
    -Eat warm, soupy stuff.  Oatmeal, cooked veggies, stews, soups.  Keep food warm and well cooked.  Avoid raw foods this time of year.  Drink warm drinks and add spices.  Enjoy some decaf chai – yummy. 
     -Drink a cup of warm milk or almond milk at bedtime.  Add a pinch of ginger, cardamom, cinnamon or nutmeg and a little stevia.
     -Get off the computer/cell phone/ipod/tv/game player/etc.  Avoid loud music and noise.  Try some nice reading instead.  With a book.  Try it, you might like it. 
     The more you follow these guidelines for the fall, the better your chances of staying comfortable and not developing illnesses related to vata.  Keep warm and carry on!
Love, Shivani