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Autumn Season: 7 Tips to Balance Vata Dosha

Autumn Season: 7 Tips to Balance Vata Dosha

Autumn is Vata Season

Autumn is here! At the beginning of autumn, when the air is still mild and the sun is still strong, a gentle Pitta prevails, which strengthens and warms us. As time progresses, the typical Vata weather begins: it storms, the temperatures drop, the sun is often hidden behind thick clouds. Vata has i.a. the characteristics of being cold, rough, dry and flexible and this is exactly what the weather in the cool and often stormy autumn describes. Not only do these traits dominate our outdoor environment while we’re snuggled up in the warmth of our homes with a cup of tea, they also affect the balance of the doshas in our bodies. Irrespective of our very own dosha mixture, which determines our constitution, the Vata increases in all people at this time.

Particularly affected are people who have either a Vata constitution or a Vata mixed constitution, or a Vata disorder.

An increase in Vata Dosha can lead to symptoms like: dry skin, hyperperistalsis, bloating, cramps, hypermobility, constipation, depression, difficulty sleeping through the night, anxiety and panic attacks, mental circles, hemorrhoids, pain, arthrosis, tinnitus.

However, Vata Dosha disorders in autumn are easier to avoid than you think.

7 Tips to Balance Vata Dosha

1. Always Stay Warm

The cold very quickly imbalances the Vata Dosha. But this is avoidable.

  • Always wear socks.
  • Lie down in bed at night with a warm bottle on your feet.
  • If possible, eat a warm meal 3 times a day.
  • Sweaters and scarves protect you from the cold wind.
  • Small amounts of hot spices warm the body.
  • Eat warming foods e.g. beets, carrots, hazelnuts, cashews, root vegetable soup with nutmeg, herbal teas, ginger, Ceylon cinnamon, etc.

2. Enjoy Spices

Certain Vata Dosha reducing spices ground the body, improve digestion and boost the immune system. Season your food with spices such as:

  • Cardamom
  • Black pepper (in moderate amounts, even better the long pepper = Pippali)
  • Turmeric
  • Ceylon cinnamon
  • Cloves
  • Nutmeg and mace
  • Fennel (lowers Vata through the bloating effect)
  • Coriander
  • Thyme or ajwain seeds
  • Mustard seeds (ideally yellow)
  • Asafoetida (Hing)
  • Cumin
  • Ginger and galangal

3. Sweet, Sour and Salty Lower Vata Dosha

Food is a powerful remedy. Food can either increase or balance the doshas (functional principles / bio-energies of the body). Vata is pacified with sweet, sour and salty foods and flavours.

Sweet (Earth + Water)

Sweet food grounds the body, calms it down, increases kapha and increases vitality. Examples: berries, apples, carrots, cinnamon, cardamom, pumpkin, beetroot, milk, rice, maple syrup, honey in small amounts, cashew nuts – but beware, raw and whole grain foods increase Vata again.

Sour (Earth + Fire)

Sour foods warm the body, increase appetite, improve digestion, and hydrate. Examples: lemon, buttermilk, yoghurt, grapes, berries, sourdough, tangerines, vinegar, ideal also tamarind, amalaki, verjuice (wine & co) as a mild substitute for vinegar.

Salty (Water + Fire)

Salty foods hydrate and warm the body, improve digestion, and aid in detoxification. Examples: sea salt, rock salt, seaweed and soy sauce.

TIP:

If you have a Pitta imbalance you need to be careful with sour and salty foods as they can aggravate it. The same applies for Kapha imbalances that can get worse by sweet, sour and salty foods.

4. Drink Enough Fluids and Eat Enough High-Quality Oils

How’s your skin doing in cold weather? Is she dry yet?

Dryness is a dominant Vata quality. And a dry body is not only a consequence of Vata imbalance, but also a cause. It is therefore important to pay attention to the amount you drink, especially in autumn. Drink 2 liters of warm water in 200ml portions (10 small glasses) during the day.

Furthermore, the use of enough high-quality oils is important to moisturize your body from the inside out. The dry body can benefit from oily food. Ghee (clarified butter), sesame and olive oil protect the body tissues from dehydration and reduce Vata.

Vata types can enjoy foods high in water in the fall, such as zucchini, warm milk, berries, oatmeal, soups, and grapes.

In addition, a daily self-massage of the whole body with warm sesame, olive or ashwagandha oil does not only calm the nervous system and moisturize the skin but also lowers anxiety and stress. Rinse off with hot water about 15 minutes later or put on a pyjama and let it soak in overnight.

5. Herbal tea instead of coffee

Coffee is not essentially unhealthy. But in Vata disorders it is best avoided. Because coffee and other caffeinated drinks dry the skin and body, stimulate the nervous system and imbalance the Vata Dosha.

Much better for the body and brain are warm teas with Vata-reducing herbs like: ginger, cinnamon, fennel, thyme and licorice for the day. Herbs like lavender, chamomile, brahmi, lemon balm, and vanilla make fantastic bedtime teas for vata.

6. Regularity for the Vata Dosha

Regularity is opposed to Vata, the dosha of changeability. It increases the earthy Kapha Dosha and brings stability, harmony and calm. How can you bring more regularity into life?

Fixed times for going to bed (before 10 p.m.), getting up (preferably before 6 a.m.), regular eating times and relaxation rituals in the evening e.g. oil massage, walking, yoga, meditation, breathing exercises, aromatherapy and quiet music help to slow down in the evening and have deep sleep.

7. Let The Soul Dangle

Have you noticed that with Vata excess, it is clearly more difficult to simply let go, to think of nothing for once? It’s even worse in cold and dry weather. Here are a few tips:

  • Take time for yourself.
  • Don’t start the day with your cell phone or computer, but do light physical exercises. It grounds the body and clears the mind.
  • Oil massage (Abhyanga) with sesame or ashwagandha oil is very relaxing and stabilizes the Vata energies.
  • Avoid overworking yourself. If possible, avoid working late into the night as the evening is the perfect time for reflection and relaxation.
  • Vata types should definitely get enough sleep, around 8-9 hours.
  • Daily meditation is a powerful relaxation technique.

If you want to dive deeper into the self-care habits of Ayurveda that help you to feel balanced, energized and grounded, join us for the upcoming Easy Ayurveda Detox or join the group program for women HORMONE THRIVE.

Have a nice autumn darling!

Is your metabolism balanced? What are the signs of a healthy metabolism?

Is your metabolism balanced? What are the signs of a healthy metabolism?

What is metabolism? Is your metabolism in balance?

Good metabolism, poor metabolism, too slow, too quick, … The word metabolism is often used – and is often misunderstood. Because metabolism is not the same as digestion.

The metabolism is the basis of all vital processes in the body. Metabolism is roughly understood as all biochemical processes that take place within the cells. In other words: The components of the supplied nutrients are metabolised in the cells.

Enzymes, hormones and nutrients regulate the metabolism. As a result, everything that you eat and drink is broken down and converted by the body. If all metabolic processes run smoothly, the cells live in peaceful harmony.

Bad lifestyle habits can lead to metabolic disorders such as: diabetes mellitus, overweight, thyroid diseases e.g. hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, other hormonal and mental imbalances and diseases. A healthy lifestyle prevents and helps to boost the metabolism.

What are the signs that your metabolism is out of balance? Here we go …

  • You have difficulties to fall asleep, and you wake up feeling tired and sluggish.
  • Your hormones are imbalanced and you suffer from menopause, fertility or menstrual problems.
  • In the afternoon you can barely keep yourself from falling asleep.
  • You need coffee to get started in the morning and some alcohol every now and then to calm down and relax in the evening.
  • You regularly crave things that are actually not good for you.
  • Your immune system is weakened.
  • You have blemished skin or other skin problems like psoriasis, rosacea, …
  • You have a thick coating on your tongue.
  • Your bowel movements are not as we would like them to be (read more about that further down).
  • You have a bad breath or bad taste in the mouth.
  • You have undesirable retention of water in the tissues.
  • You are quickly stressed and often do not feel balanced.

Do you recognise yourself here? I am often surprised and dismayed that many people don’t notice these signs because they consider them normal. Because others feel the same way. According to Eastern medicine, none of this is normal!

Let’s take a closer look at your bowel movement. When they are out of whack,

  • Your bowel movements are irregular and you may suffer from diarrhoea, constipation or hard bowel movement.
  • You empty your bowels more than twice a day or not every day.
  • Your stools have a strong smell or sticks to the side of the bowl.
  • You sometimes have heartburn or stomach pain.
  • You have air in your stomach, you have to burp, you have gas or a bloated belly.
  • You sometimes have attacks of hunger pangs or loose your appetite.

These are all concrete signs that your metabolism is out of balance.

In my online program Thrive & Shine you will learn to differentiate more precisely which sign stands for which imbalance, so that you can optimally counteract this.

You will establish simple new routines that help regulate your metabolism and, above all, how you can integrate them into your daily life.

How do you feel when your metabolism works optimally?

  • You have an appetite for the things that are good for you and that keep you in balance.
  • You fall asleep easily and wake up refreshed in the morning.
  • You have your feel-good weight and you like your body.
  • You have a consistent energy throughout the day, even in the afternoon.
  • You have a strong immune system and can quickly counteract if it gets out of balance.
  • Your hormones are balanced – no menopause, menstrual or fertility problems.
  • You have glowing, rosy skin.
  • You are emotionally balanced and feel grounded.
  • Your concentration and focus improve significantly.
Does this sound good to you? We strive for all of this in my program Thrive & Shine.

In this health and wellness journey you will start to sleep better, jump out of bed refreshed in the morning, get better skin, balanced hormones, more energy and don’t get sick as often. You will start treating yourself more lovingly and suddenly have the strength and motivation to follow your desires and dreams. And much more…

I would like you to feel the best you can and to discover yourself in a way that gives you all the tools you need to live a healthy and mindful life. I want you to have access to your true nature. Your potential. And from there it is much easier to live!

Take a look at Thrive & Shine and book your Free Discovery Call with me.

This program combines ancient Eastern medicine wisdom, modern behavioural sciences and coaching in a dynamic international group.