Autumn has finally arrived here in the northern hemisphere after an extended summer that didn’t want to end. According to Ayurveda we have shifted into Vata season; the season in which dry, light, mobile, and cold qualities are predominant. If we continue to invite in these same qualities during the seasonal transition, for example in our food and habits, the more we will experience imbalance in the body. Now is the time to invite in opposing qualities, like warm, dense, heavy, and oily so we can maintain overall balance.

Just like how the seasons transition over a period of time we too need to slowly shift in order to prepare our body and mind for the next season. Much like spring cleaning, there are some rituals and daily practices that you can do this time of year to strengthen immunity and help prepare your body and mind for the most Yin time of year, winter, when we go into hibernation mode.

As you transition into autumn, the intention is to reduce your output of energy in favour of gathering and storing it. Cultivate a conservation, relaxation, and calming mindset. This is the time of year when your system wants to slow down, but often our lifestyle and responsibilities don’t always allow for that. So, in the areas of your life where you can do something about it, make conservation a priority so that you stay healthy, balanced and grounded throughout the fall season.

Here are 10 seasonal tips for Autumn wellness:

1. Spend time outdoors during the warmest parts of the day.
2. Eat a lot of fresh harvest foods, like squash, carrots, sweet potatoes.
3. Remove raw, cold foods from your diet and favour warm, dense, oily foods such as soups or stews.
4. Start your day with a nourishing bowl of oats with seasonal cooked fruits, nuts, seeds and spices.
5. Drink cooked water or herbal teas throughout the day and avoid all cold drinks.
6. Do a nourishing Abhyanga self-massage daily or at least a couple of times a week.
7. Prepare for extended time indoors by decluttering and making your indoor spaces inviting and cozy.
8. Practice alternate nostril breathing to keep the lungs clear and balance your energy.
9. Practice gentler, more grounding yoga such as yin, restorative, and yoga nidra.
10. Make space for journaling and meditation, or any practice that encourages you to turn inward.