It’s hard to believe we are well into fall already! I am left wondering, “What happened to September?” When seasons change, your body change too! For those of us in the western hemisphere, we are moving through Fall which is Ayurvedic terms is Vata season. This means movement and change are all around. We may feel a bit more scattered unless we decide to balance by adding some grounding activities like connecting with nature or starting to favor warmer foods. Those of you who are entering Spring are leaving a Kapha period which had you bundling up and slowing down. Now you can start to embrace renewal as new life begins to appear around you. No matter what season you are moving into, here are 4 seasonal rituals that are nourishing for your mind body and soul.

1) Simplify Your Diet

During seasonal changes your body can become imbalanced. So, it is a good idea to go back to basics to support your digestion. Simplifying your diet will help you restore your digestive balance and keep you energetic and healthy! You may choose a juice cleanse or a supervised fast or simply follow these tips:

Favor these foods:

• Locally grown fruits and vegetables
• Homemade soups, broths, and stews
• Freshly prepared vegetables and fruit juices
• Easily digested foods such as steamed rice and vegetables

Reduce these foods:

• Frozen, canned, and pre-packaged foods
• Fermented food and drinks
• Aged cheeses
• Left overs
• Highly refined foods

2)  Harmonize with the New Season

During the dry, cold, windy months of autumn, choose warmer clothes and activities. Build a fire and stare at the mountains! If you are moving into Spring, head outside as much as possible and start to lighten up your clothing. Embrace movement!

3)  Clean a Drawer (or maybe a whole closet!)

Just as your body can accumulate physical impurities with the food we eat, your mind accumulates impurities too.  Your home and the space around you is a part of your extended body and everything in it is tracked by your mind. Your mind carries around all the clutter you accumulate in your life.   As the season changes, make it a practice to clean at least one drawer or closet. Notice how when the space is cleared, you feel clearer too! Maybe do a second drawer because it feels so darn good!

4)  Cultivate Peace

Our minds also accumulate mental impurities in the form of toxic experiences that result in negative emotions such as fear, resentment, greed, and guilt. When the season changes, it is a great time to perform the 7 Steps to Releasing Resentment exercise. This allows you to release the negative thus allowing space for creating peace! 

Enjoy the new season! As always, I am available if you want to connect about health and happiness! 

In light,

Tammy