4 Ways to Balance Vata Energy This Autumn
/“To allow oneself to be carried away by a multitude of conflicting concerns, to surrender to too many demands, to commit oneself to too many projects, to want to help everyone in everything, is to succumb to violence.”
When things are speeding up in our life (in our calendar and on our list of things to do) as well as in the environment, it takes extra effort and attention to stay balanced. When we get to far out of balance we may notice that we feel a bit more nervous or anxious.
If there is excess Vata in your system you may experience one or more of the following signs or symptoms: nervousness, anxiety, panic, fear; light, interrupted sleep; spacey, scattered feeling; excess thinking or worrying; twitches, tics, tremors, spasms; dry or chapped skin; constipation, gas, bloating, dry, hard stools; difficulty tolerating loud noises. In general to decrease Vata, Ayurveda offers dietary, lifestyle, and herbal treatment strategies based on creating routine, warmth, calmness, and nourishment.
Here are my favorite easy to incorporate daily tools:
Savoring Warming Foods
I am all about soup this season. Enjoy warmer, cooked foods and less cold or raw foods. Enjoy root vegetables, soups and stews. Use warming spices like ginger, black pepper, cinnamon and cumin, but not extremely hot spices like cayenne pepper. And try to eat your meals at routine times, so your digestion is optimal and rythmic.
Sipping Sweetness
Drink plenty of room temperature or warm drinks; enjoy warmed soy or rice milk spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg. Choose more grounding beverages rather than caffeinated or bubbly. P.S. I've replaced my second cup of coffee with herbal tea and honey and on days I feel less grounded, I take out coffee all together.
Connect with the Earth
Walking outside is a powerful way to harmonize with nature at this time. I take regular walks at the park and in our local reservation. (Of course, it helps that I need to walk my a dog.) Find even a few minutes a day to feel your feet on the ground. Smell the air. Engage in the beauty of nature moving through the aging process.
Breathe Through Your Nose
The cold, dry, quick, and irregular nature of Vata is balanced by using grounding, sweet, and calming scents. Any of these essential oils and natural scents can help balance you: Sandalwood, Rosewood, Patchouli, Cinnamon, Lavender, Clary Sage, Rose, and Sweet Orange. You can sniff it right from the bottle or plant or herb. Or if the oil is in a carrier and safe for your skin, place a dab on your wrist and smell when needed throughout the day. I keep a travel bottle of sandalwood in my bag, and sniff when I need it on the run.
In general, l try to stick to a regular routine; get more sleep, use less stimulants, stick to a daily yoga and meditation practice. Oh and I wear a hat all season... I know it sounds like a lot of things to concentrate on, but these simple techniques can help to keep you feeling grounded, steady, and healthy all season long!
Read more simple guidelines for balancing your Vata from Banyan Botanicals.
