Whether you welcome the onset of brisk autumn days with a cozy embrace or find yourself wishing the summer could hang on just a little while longer, creating harmony between your internal and external environments is the key to striking balance in mind, body, and soul. As the leaves change, temperatures drop and sunlit hours shorten, taking time to adapt your wellness routine with the changing energies of the season will allow you to take on the days ahead with confidence and clarity. Read on to discover 3 Ayurvedic tips to promote inner and outer wellbeing this fall. 

In Ayurveda, fall is associated with Vata’s light, dry, cold, and transformative energy. By thoughtfully aligning our personal routines with the qualities of Vata Dosha, the mind-body element associated with air and ether, we can cultivate a sense of internal warmth and stability to balance the season’s opposing energy.

Skincare

A nourishing, creamy cleanser is a must-have for maintaining radiant skin in fall weather! As temperatures drop and the air loses humidity, our skin is quicker to lose moisture. A hydrating cleanser, such as our DeviDetox™ Purifying Facial Cleanser, helps to replenish and lock in moisture while gently eliminating makeup and excess oil, preventing the skin from becoming excessively dry or stripped.

The season’s onset of cooler, drier air can also increase skin reactions such as redness, irritation and dry patches. Not to mention, an increase of time spent indoors means more time for mindful self-care rituals to combat any seasonal blues! A hydrating mask like MahaMask™ Pampering Moisture Treatment added to your routine will help to deliver much-needed moisture to the skin while also calling for an indulgent moment of presence and relaxation when you need it. Packed with nourishing ingredients like soothing turmeric butter and balancing palmarosa oil, it’s the ultimate skin-savior for dewy, glowing radiance. Apply generously to clean skin with circular, upward motions. Let yourself bask in the luxuriousness for at least 10 minutes, then rinse or tissue off. You can also apply it to hands, elbows, knees– anywhere your skin needs a bit of nourishing moisture and TLC.

Diet

Consider incorporating foods that help balance Vata dosha into your daily routine to maintain health in both body and mind during the fall season! A diet of warm and nourishing foods can bring Vata’s cold, dry, and light properties into balance. Here are a few of our favorites:

• Warm and nourishing soups or stews
• Herbal teas (we love chamomile and ginger!)
• Warming spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, and cardamom
• Seasonal fruit including apples, pears, grapes, dates, and figs
• Seasonal vegetables including root vegetables (carrots and sweet potatoes), squashes, and leafy greens
• Warm or room temperature caffeine free beverages when possible

Priti Tip: Practice mindful eating by sitting down and savoring your meals without distraction (yes, your phone counts too!) Practicing gratitude for the meals you eat and mindfully taking in each bite can help you connect with the nourishing qualities of your food and aid digestion.

Movement & Mindfulness

The Vata qualities of fall call for practices that help ground and stabilize the body and mind. Movement and mindfulness during this season should focus on promoting warmth, stability, and nourishment. 

• Yoga or daily walks, particularly gentle and fluid movements, can help maintain joint flexibility and alleviate stiffness, which may be more prevalent during the cooler fall months. Even just five minutes a day can help to circulate blood flow, ease the mind, and help you feel more rooted and stable.
• Alternate nostril breathing involves alternating the flow of breath through the nostrils. In Ayurveda, this is referred to as Nadi Shodhana Pranayama which translates to “subtle energy clearing breathing technique.” Originating in India, this practice has been used for over 6,000 years to balance doshas, promote self-awareness, clear energy channels in the body, and regulate the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. Slowing down and engaging in mindful breathing or meditation can calm the mind and relax the nervous system as we transition from the relaxed days of summer to an often jam-packed fall schedule!

Priti Tip: You don’t need an extensive exercise or mindfulness routine to experience transformative benefits! Try practicing this 5-minute yoga flow during your next midday work break.

As autumn season unfolds, let your skincare and self-care rituals be a reflection of the changing seasons. Embracing Ayurvedic principles ensures a holistic approach, nurturing not only your skin but also your overall well-being. Stay cozy!