How to Transition to Fall with Ease Using Ayurveda

As the seasons change, our bodies also go through some incredible changes and moving between summer and fall with ease can create an entirely different experience of fall and winter. I love to use the principles of Ayurveda to guide this transition and help set my body and mind up for a rich, fulfilling fall and winter.

In this post I’ll give you Ayurvedic tips so that you can build a healthy, organized framework to move through fall with as much ease, mindfulness and joy as possible.

First, though, what is Ayurveda?

Ayurveda is the science of disease prevention and longevity. It teaches that we are healthier and less susceptible to disease the more we align with nature and balance our own unique constitution with the natural cycles of the days, seasons and stages of life.

In the past you may have thought moving from summer to fall was only about going back to school or finishing those trashy summer novels you picked up at the beach.

Now we are waking up to the realization that in the age of technology it’s more important than ever to have a connection to nature and the seasons. If we aren’t careful we can get stuck in the collective mindset of operating more like machines and less like the dynamic, living beings that we are.

Avoiding a frenetic pace of life requires that we put away technology during times of transition and adopt a slower pace.

In fact, the Ayurvedic process of transitioning from one season to another asks you to slow down and collect your energy so that you’ll be better prepared for the months ahead.

The 3 Seasons of Ayurveda

While Ayurveda technically sees six seasons, we can most closely link our four season calendar by seeing how each of the three doshas cycle through a year.

Vata – Fall/ Early Winter – dominated by the elements of air and ether, this time of year is dryer and lighter

Pitta – Late Spring/ Summer – dominated by the elements of fire and water, this time of year is hot, rainy and mobile

Kapha – Late Winter/ Early Spring – dominated by the elements of water and earth, this time of year is nourishing to new life

At the time of this posting the Northern Hemisphere is moving into fall, the time that Ayurveda associates with Vata dosha. This time of year is great for organizing and resetting internally and externally.

However, if you don’t pay attention to the transition in seasonal cycles you could find yourself easily overwhelmed, distracted by the excitement of the upcoming holidays and eventually depleted.

3 Steps to Transition to the Ayurvedic Season of Vata

1. Stick to a Daily Self-Care Routine

Choose at least one way you can start your day or end your evening by taking time to steady yourself. This could be through breathing practices, meditation, restorative yoga or journaling. Building a daily framework that is flexible enough to accommodate for the unexpected will allow you to balance the light, airy qualities of fall with a healthy, solid foundation.

2. Transition to Warm, Seasonal Foods

Summer is a great time for cooling salads. Even if the temperatures remain warm where you are in the fall, it’s a good time to choose seasonal produce for your area and consume less raw, cold foods. Consider the warming and grounding qualities of root vegetables, soups and stews as you move through fall.

3. Clear the Clutter

The change of seasons is a great time to clear away the clutter in your life. Clutter can show up in multiple ways, from a disorganized desk to a sluggish digestive track. Cleaning your home and office, as well as organizing what’s in your kitchen to minimize processed foods and maximize the consumption of whole, seasonal foods are great ways to clear the clutter of the past 3 to 4 months.

As the seasons change it’s also important to take time to unload your mental clutter in the form of journal writing, observe your thoughts by practicing meditation and use your breath to balance both the logical and creative sides of your brain.

Would you like to have more ease in your life by gradually improving your daily habits?
Join the private Habits to Thrive Facebook group to learn more about living in sync with circadian rhythm and the daily habits of an Ayurvedic lifestyle.