It’s starting to feel like autumn in central Ohio.  The nights are getting cooler, the leaves are transforming and displaying radiant colors of yellow, orange and red.  The weather in Ohio can change by the hour – windy, cool, warm, rainy, and sunny-extremely variable!  Looking out onto my back yard, I see animals getting ready for winter.  Squirrels, chipmunks, birds and bees are working feverishly gathering food 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 its seasonal rhythms.

Ayurveda teaches autumn is a transitional time from summer to winter, and vata dosha qualities (variable, cold, dry) are dominant.  During vata season, one can become easily out of balance feeling irritable, overwhelmed, dry, cold, and experience sleep challenges when we increase foods and lifestyle practices with vata dosha qualities (dry, cold, mobile, rough).   It’s especially important during vata season to take care of ourselves, to create balance by incorporating practices that have the opposite qualities of vata dosha-warm, moist, slow.

Try these 5 self-care practices to feel rejuvenated, strong, and healthy this autumn.

1. Slow down, take a break

• Meditate- just 5 -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

2. Embrace gratitude

• 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.
• Try my delicious Easy Butternut Squash Soup, Vegan, Gluten Free Recipe 

5. Eat plenty of  fresh green vegetables and fresh 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 Bwellayurveda@gmail.com.

This information is not considered medical advice.  All contents are to be used for educational purposes.  Please contact your medical physician before you consider making health care decisions.