Fall Into An Easeful Fall Routine

As much as I love summer and the casual, carefree days that are longer and less structured, I am SO ready for kids to be back in school, summer travel to wind down, and my regular routine to kick back in by the end of August.

My fall routine is actually not much different from my transition to winter and spring routines. It's the summer routine that often knocks people off track—me included. Whether or not you have kids, summer just seems to be... a little different. The days are longer, the weather is better, and there's a pull toward doing more to take advantage of the warmer weather.

Summer is often a time of travel and connecting with friends and family. We try to jam so much into a few months and then end up feeling over-scheduled, overwhelmed, and burnt out.

Even though fall doesn't officially start until the end of September, I think most of us feel summer winding down much earlier. There's a definite transition taking place at the beginning of September. For those of us with kids, our main marker is that our dear little ones are back in school... finally! 😉 Most people have wrapped up travel plans, are back to work, and are looking forward to the next season.

The transition into fall can be subtle, showing up in the changing colors of the leaves, trees beginning to shed in preparation for winter, and days becoming a little shorter. Temperatures start to shift and the air feels a bit more crisp and clear (depending on where you live).

I find there's a subtle spacious feeling that comes with fall, but at the same time, there's an essence of possibility and new beginnings. It feels like the ultimate time to curate the rest of the year, especially before the chaos of the holidays kicks in.HOW AYURVEDA VIEWS SEASONAL CHANGE.

What is Ayurveda?

Ayurveda means the "science of life." Its main focus is disease prevention and longevity.

Ayurveda recognizes that optimal health is based on how we align our internal rhythms with the rhythms of nature. Each of us has a unique constitution or dosha, and when we can balance it with daily and seasonal rhythms and various stages of life, we are healthier, less susceptible to disease, and more able to thrive on all levels—mentally, physically, and spiritually.

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Life is happening at a much faster pace than it ever has, unless you're living on a mountaintop and have chosen to completely unplug. Technology and the expectation to be everywhere all the time is causing all sorts of dis-ease, not just in adults but in our children too. As a culture, we're losing our connection with the bigger picture—with Mother Nature, the seasons, and our relationship to her. We're overstimulated, overwhelmed, and just "doing" too much. For some of us, this has become our "normal" stance in life. If we don't pay attention to this, we risk living on autopilot, feeling like we carry the weight of the world on our shoulders, constantly trying to keep up and completely disconnected from our potential to live dynamic, thriving, and fully aligned lives.

The Ayurvedic process of transitioning from one season to another asks us to slow down, gather our energy, and get very intentional about how we desire to consciously design our path into the upcoming months.

Ayurveda and the Seasons

Pitta – Late Spring/ Summer – dominated by the elements of fire and water, this time of year is hot, penetrating, sharp, intense, and oily.

Vata - Fall/ Early Winter – dominated by the elements of air and ether, this time of year is dryer and lighter. This is a time of transition. Autumn is dry, rough, windy, erratic, cool, subtle, and clear.

Kapha – Late Winter/ Early Spring – dominated by the elements of water and earth, this time of year is nourishing to new life. It’s cold, dry, and dark and can be wet and cold.

Steps to transition from Pitta Season to Vata Season (summer to fall)

By making gradual adjustments to diet and lifestyle from summer to fall and embracing seasonal routines and self-care practices, you can make a healthy transition between seasons and prevent problems that may arise as we move deeper into fall.

Keep in mind that what's happening outside is happening inside of you too. Ayurveda teaches that like increases like and opposites balance. This is why we want to do the opposite to find equilibrium in our body, mind, and spirit.

Create a Daily Self-Care Routine

Do the same things at roughly the same times daily - When you wake up, eat, exercise, and go to bed. The body loves predictability and routine. Because of the light, airy, and drying qualities of this season, it's important to balance them with grounding, nourishing, and more structured practices.

Go to bed early - If we want to optimize our energy levels, productivity, and attitudes, we MUST be well-rested. I see this "habit of sleep" as the foundation we build all our other habits on top of. If we're not getting the sleep we need, we can't fully operate at our greatest potential. When we're tired, depleted, and stressed out, we're approaching each day in a state of fight or flight. We're not making the best decisions, we're not showing up in our relationships as awake and accessible as we could be, and most importantly, we're at risk for all sorts of dis-ease and health issues. Ideally, we want to be going to bed by 10 pm and waking up before 6 am. Check out my blog on sleep for more details.

Wake up early - Enjoy the magical early morning hours. This is the best time to tap into creativity and establish a meditation practice or journaling routine. Use this quiet time to set your daily intentions and connect to the bigger picture.

Rub oil on your body - This season can be very drying in many climates. Oil helps calm the nervous system, ground energy, and awaken the tissues. If you enjoy a little fragrance, vetiver, geranium, and citrus essential oils are great this time of year (either applied directly to the skin or used in a diffuser). Using your own hands to heal your own body tells your body that you're paying attention and is also very grounding.

Move your body - The best times to exercise are in the early morning and evening hours (6–10 a.m. and 6–10 p.m.). Vata is easily aggravated by fast, mobile activities, so think slower activities like walking, hiking, swimming, biking, yoga, and tai chi. In the evening hours, choose more restorative and less energizing activities—even light housework, bouncing on a trampoline, or going for a walk with friends or family.Transition into a Fall Diet

This is my favorite season of foods, with squashes, roots, and late summer fruits and vegetables. The local farmer’s markets are vibrant and overflowing. Shop the outer aisles of your local grocery stores and choose what’s new in this season.

Think seasonally - When transitioning into fall after the wind-down of summer, start by eating foods that are more cooling to help rid the body of excess heat. An Ayurvedic diet is based on Mother Nature's wisdom and adapts with the seasons.

Consume less raw food - Begin to shift from astringent foods like raw salads to warmer, more cooked foods. Making this shift gradually will be easier on your system. Consider the warming and grounding qualities of root vegetables, soups, and stews as you move through this new season.

Best foods for Vata season - Oily, nourishing foods that are high in protein and fat, brought to life with warming, stimulating spices, and served hot will help keep moisture in and help you stay grounded through the vata season. Favor the sweet, sour, and salty tastes. Breakfasts of cooked grains are perfect at this time of year. Lunches and dinners that include steamed vegetables, hearty grains, soups, and stews are grounding and moisturizing. If you eat meat and eggs, this is one of the best times of year to enjoy them. Dairy products and most nuts and seeds are also beneficial. In general, you'll want to reduce your consumption of raw vegetables, cold and frozen foods, as well as the bitter, pungent, and astringent tastes.

Detox your Space and your Body

Fall, just like spring, is a great time for a clean-out. Carve out some time to ditch, donate, or give away things you're not wearing, using, or really caring about. Keep what brings you joy and taps into your passions—whether that's what you wear, what you surround yourself with, or the spaces you spend the most time in. This doesn't only apply to your physical space, but also to the space you live in 24/7—your body.

Do a Seasonal Cleanse!

Pressing a soft pause twice a year, in spring and fall, to prioritize self-care is the BEST way to reclaim your health, vitality, and happiness.

Life is busy, and staying in "go-mode" seems "normal" until something breaks down in body, mind, or spirit.

Instead, taking time to align with nature's natural rhythms, clear toxins, and intentionally design your daily habits so you can thrive in midlife is one of the best gifts you can give yourself and those around you.

The “Glow with Soul” Fall Reset starts in October.

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