10 Ways to Restore Balance and Routine in Fall According to Ayurveda
Fall is characterized and amplified by the qualities of change, cold, light, dry, clear, rough, and mobile. These qualities are related to Ayurveda, the ancient art of healing, and Fall is Vata season. We can find ourselves out of balance: spinning, tumbling, spiraling out of control with an overactive mind, feeling stressed, overwhelmed, anxious, constipated, and dry.
In the fall, welcome in Vata’s opposite qualities to bring balance to your life. This includes daily relaxation, plenty of rest and sleep, meditation, warming foods, and routine.
Routines are designed by nature to stabilize, nurture, and nourish us. The body loves and responds to routine with glowing health. A daily practice for Fall brings the much-needed stability, which is most important for thriving within the changeable nature of this season.
Here’s How to Restore daily routines and stay present with the changing Fall season.
1. Morning cleansing rituals: scrape tongue, brush teeth, and brush skin.
2. Massage sesame oil into both nostrils to alleviate dry nostrils and keep bacteria at bay.
3. Drink warm water with a squeeze of lemon to assist elimination and cleanse the colon.
4. Meditate.
5. Breathe. Implement Nadi Shodhana: purifying breath, nourishing the body, balancing both sides of the body and brain. Stress and anxiety are decreased through the clearing of panic blockages that lead to disease. Do this before bed to help with sleep, or any time you feel off-center. This ritual transforms instability to stability, and agitation to ease.
6. Move. Practice yoga, dance, walk, cycle, or stretch. Mindful movement in the fall will stabilize you and set yourself up for a calm and effective day. Be careful not to overdo it and slow the activity down.
7. Self-massage with warm sesame oil or warm almond oil to nourish the skin and keep it from drying out. An act of self-care is an act of self-love.
8. Use essential oils that are sweet, grounding, calming, regulating, warming, and peaceful. These elements are found in nutmeg, cardamom, sweet orange, lemon, chamomile, and sandalwood. Geranium, lavender, and nerol are all excellent for alleviating stress and anxiety.
Aromatherapy in the fall stabilizes the mind and brings calm to the emotions, providing restoration and peace and an effective way to bring focus and stability to your system.
Ways to use Essential Oils:
Direct palm inhalation. Apply 1-2 drops of oil directly to the palms, rub together gently, and inhale.
Massage. Add your unique essential oil blend to a carrier oil such as sesame or almond oil. 48-90 drops to 4 oz carrier oil.
Bath. Use your calming and peaceful oils in the bath to relax.
9. Regular, nourishing meals. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner taken at the same time each day will benefit the nervous system and assist good digestion. Warm, nourishing meals are best in the fall and include soups, stews, and roasted vegetables such as squash, beets, tomatoes. Add extra oils such as ghee, avocado, and olive oil to meals.
10. Rest is important for soothing and restoring the nervous system, as well as detoxifying and healing the body and mind. Relax and nurture yourself. Aim for bedtime by 10:00 pm.
Before bed: take some quiet time, meditate, journal, pray, or practice yin yoga. Choose an activity that integrates your day and brings a peaceful night sleep. Ground yourself and turn anxiousness into joy and creativity.
Fall questions for self-inquiry.
1. What 3 things can you do for yourself this Fall season to stay balanced physically, mentally, and emotionally ?
2. What aspect of yourself is no longer serving you that you are ready to let go of?
3. What aspect of yourself would you like to expand?
Author: Iva Drtina-Hall
Iva has developed her own knowledge of Ayurveda, which allows her to guide students to uncover the wisdom of their own way and find their own transformation.