5 Ayurvedic Tips for Fall

Sep 18

3 min read

Updated: Sep 21

Simple ways to stay warm, grounded, and nourished as we transition into Vata season.

Introduction

Welcome Fall! A season of crisp air, changing leaves, shorter days, and a natural invitation to slow down.

From an Ayurvedic perspective, fall is associated primarily with Vata energy, which is made up of the elements of air and space. As the weather becomes cooler, drier, windier, and more changeable, we may begin to notice some of those same qualities showing up in our bodies and minds.

You might experience dry skin or hair, feel colder than usual, have a harder time focusing, or simply feel a little more scattered or overwhelmed as routines and seasons shift.

Ayurveda reminds us of a simple principle:

Like increases like and opposites balance.

To balance the cool, dry, rough, and mobile qualities of fall, we can invite in their opposites: warmth, moisture, nourishment, grounding, and consistency.

You don't need to completely change your lifestyle with every new season. A few intentional shifts can help you feel more grounded and supported as fall arrives.

Here are five simple Ayurvedic tips for fall.

5 Ayurvedic Tips for Fall

Begin by paying attention to how you feel and what is shifting this season; your intuitive self knows best.

1. Add Warmth

As temperatures begin to cool, look for simple ways to bring more warmth into your day.

Choose warming herbs and spices such as ginger, cinnamon, turmeric, cardamom, nutmeg, and cloves, and incorporate them into your cooking, baking, teas, and lattes.

This is a wonderful time of year to bring back warm favorites like Golden Milk, Chai Masala, and Herbal Turmeric Tea.

Slow yoga, gentle movement, breathwork, and cozy layers can all help counterbalance the cool and mobile qualities of the season.

Fall reminder: Warm your body without rushing it.

2. Choose Nourishing Foods

As we move away from summer, begin trading some of those cold, raw foods for meals that feel warm, cooked, moist, and grounding. Think soups, broths, curries, stews, kitchari, cooked grains, and seasonal root vegetables like carrots and sweet potatoes.

Healthy fats can also add some of the moisture that naturally becomes depleted during a dry fall season. Cook with nourishing oils or ghee and remember to stay hydrated throughout the day.

3. Keep Moisture In

Fall's dry, rough qualities may show up in your skin, hair, and lips as well. Ayurveda traditionally turns to oil as a way to counteract that dryness.

Try a warm oil self-massage, or abhyanga, before showering. You can also incorporate oil pulling into your morning routine and use nourishing oils on particularly dry areas of the body. Think of fall self-care as an opportunity to moisturize from the inside and outside.

4. Get Grounded with Routine

The air and movement associated with Vata can sometimes leave us feeling scattered or overwhelmed. One of the simplest ways to counter that movement is with consistency.

Try waking up, eating your meals, exercising, and going to bed around the same times each day. Your routine doesn't have to be complicated. A few predictable anchors can bring a wonderful sense of stability to your day.

Getting outside can help, too. Take a walk, notice the changing leaves, breathe deeply, and give yourself a few minutes away from the constant movement of screens and schedules.

5. Make Rest a Ritual

As the days become shorter, allow yourself to follow nature's cue and create a little more space for rest. Ayurveda traditionally recommends going to bed around 10 p.m. and waking up with the sun. More important than a perfect bedtime, though, is creating a consistent evening routine that helps your body and mind recognize that it's time to wind down.

Dim the lights. Put away your phone. Take a warm bath. Practice Alternate Nostril Breathing. Sip a caffeine-free herbal tea.

Herbs traditionally associated with grounding and calming routines include Tulsi and Ashwagandha, both found in our Calm & Peace Tulsi Tea. A slower evening can become one of the simplest ways to bring balance to a busy fall day.