Wellness Tips for October
a small pile of orange, green and yellow fall gourds
Welcome to October, and by the end, we’ll be in Vata Season! As the weather transitions into becoming cooler, lighter, and dryer, Ayurveda tells us to prepare for the transition by dispelling the heat that may have accumulated during the fiery Pitta season of summer. Here are a few tips to help with that, and more!
Eat for the season. Load up on bitter and astringent foods like cranberries, dark leafy greens, pumpkin, and apples. These types of foods will help the body rid any excess heat. Ayurvedic principles tell us that heat trapped in the body can cause colds in the dryer, cooler months.
Follow nature, and begin to slow down. One of the qualities of Vata is mobility, so we want to balance with more grounding and stillness. Doing too much during this time of the year can lead to excess anxiety and overthinking. Slowing down, and creating space in your calendar is essential.
Stick to a routine. Another way the mobility of Vata shows up is with erratic and scattered lifestyle. This is a great time to stick to a schedule. Keeping a routine helps your body maintain rhythm and can really help to soothe Vata. If you can’t keep a routine all day long, then at minimum have set ways that you begin and end your day. “Bookends” to your day help your circadian clock stay regular and can go a long way in keeping you grounded.
Care for your ears. Your ears are one of the sights of Vata in your body, so they can be extra sensitive during Vata season. Keeping the ears warm, and covered when in the cold or wind can help you maintain your Vata balance. Also consider adding oiling your ears to your nightly routine. Place a few drops of organic sesame oil in your palm, rub your pinky or ring finger in the drop and then place it on the outer ear canal with a swipe or two. This is really soothing for Vata, AND is a great thing to do before and after traveling.
Practice warming pranayama. Bhastrika, Khapalabhati, and Ujayi are all breathing practices that can bring warmth when the cold becomes more prevalent. All pranayama tends to soothe vata imbalances, but these three can give added benefit.
Enjoy the season!