Fall: The Perfect Season to Establish a Routine

routine
noun
    a sequence of actions regularly followed; a fixed program

The fall season is coming, and with it comes cooler weather, sweaters and a need for routine.

Fall is the time for transition. The earth begins to shed her brightness to reveal the crispness of autumn, preparing for winter.

Autumn is considered a vata season. What is a vata season? Think of the characteristics of the fall season: dry, rough, windy, erratic, moving, cool. These are the same qualities of the vata dosha in Ayurvedic medicine.

The vata dosha is a combination of the elements air and space. Ayurveda considers each person’s dosha combination to create a whole-body health and wellness routine. The mind, body and spirit are brought into harmony by the way that person eats, moves and lives.

With vata season approaching, establishing a routine is beneficial. A routine can create better mental health and lower stress levels, especially as autumn brings the season’s windy and erratic elements.

A lack of structure can produce more stress. Without a routine, we tend to focus on our problems, which causes more anxiety and mental fatigue. Even if you are not vata-dominant, the ushering in of the vata season can affect your life. By creating a bit of structure, you will bring balance to your well-being.

Here are a few simple steps to create balance this season:

• Get up a little earlier to meditate.
• Make each morning peaceful; limit things that are distracting.
• Journal about what you are grateful for, either before starting your day or before going to bed.
• Move your body every day: walk, practice yoga, dance.
• Eat a healthy breakfast every day.
• Take breaks to re-energize.
• Make a daily to-do list.
• Make your bed daily.

Need to add yoga to your routine? Sign up for one of our in-studio or Zoom classes!