How does Autumn affect your Health?

The oldest documented science is known as Ayurveda. It originates in India. Ayurveda teaches us that everything is made out of the same elements, this includes us and our bodies.

There are 3 seasons in Ayurveda rather than the 4 we think of in the modern western world. In ayurveda kapha is known as the end of winter and goes through spring. Pitta is summer. Vata is known as fall and early winter. Each season carries with it all of the same elements that we carry in our bodies, yet each season magnifies certain elements which can magnify them in our bodies, potentially leaving us imbalanced.

Pretty neat stuff.

Vata season is the onset of fall and goes through the 1st part of winter. Vata carries with it qualities that are cold, dry, airy, light, and rough. When we are exposed to these qualities in excess, they can transfer to our bodies and leave us feeling the same...cold, dry, airy, light and rough. This in turn may leave us experiencing symptoms such as, cold hands and feet, dry skin, constipation, scatter brained, unfocused, ungrounded, and anxious.

The best way to prevent any of these symptoms is to treat a vata imbalance with opposing qualities. It's actually really simple.

1.Stay hydrated with warm liquids.

2.Wear warm colors.

3.Eat warm comfort foods...(now these don't have to be processed and full of saturated fats).

4.Practice a daily grounding meditation.

5.Make sure you are getting enough sleep.

6.Stay away from caffeine.

7.Use aromatherapy with warm scents such as, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, apple spice.

8.Rub sesame and almond oil onto your hands and feet each night.

9.Keep your digestion clean by eating whole foods rich in nutrients.

10.Go for walks out in the sun as often as possible. Soak in natural vitamin D.