Seasonal Living with Ayurveda
In our fast-paced modern world, it’s easy to forget the rhythms of nature which have guided humanity for millennia. I remember as a child, being so much more aware of the change of seasons – the soft pink blossoms of spring, convincing my parents it wasn’t bedtime until the sun went down in summer, diving through mounds of red and gold leaves as the most exquisite sunsets graced the autumnal sky along with the wondrous patterns of frozen ice on the car window as we drove through the stillness of winter. As I ventured into adulthood mesmerised by the big city lights, I Iost touch with the awe and wonder of seasonal change. Now, journeying through my 40’s, I’ve found myself coming full circle and have rediscovered the beauty of being connected to the seasons and the positive impact it has on my health and wellbeing. My interest and appreciation for seasonal living has been further enhanced by my continuing studies in Ayurveda (pronounced aa-yer-vay-da).
Ayurveda translates to the ‘science of life’. It’s an ancient system of health and wellness, encompassing both prevention and cure. Ayurveda considers your life as a whole, including your physical, mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing. We are, after all beautiful, complex creatures which form part of the natural world. One of Ayurveda’s fundamental principles is: being connected to and living in line with the seasons because, we are nature.
Spring
Spring is a time of new growth and potential. The first sign of snow drops are always a welcome sight of hope and renewal! During the cold, damp winter we naturally accumulate the earth and water elements and as this ‘melts’ with the warmer temperatures, we can feel a little sluggish with some experiencing colds, congestion, hay fever and other allergies.
It’s here, mother nature comes into her element with the abundance of cleansing herbs such as wild garlic, nettles, dandelion and cleavers which can be consumed in teas, stir fries and soups. These herbs are rich in the bitter and astringent taste – properties which help move the excess of winter from the channels of the body. Cleansing our bodies during spring creates space for growth and potential.
Spring is the time to rise no later than 7am (the earlier, the better!), get out for a brisk walk before 10am to enjoy the warming morning sun, the flourish of spring flowers, the unfurling of leaves and the call of native birds as they find their partners for the season.
The Spring Equinox (around the 20th of March) is also a day to look forward to and celebrate – the moment of time where day and night are balanced before we gently tip over into the longer days. It’s a wonderful time to set intentions, nurture new interests and have a house ‘detox’ to clear accumulated energy.
Summer
In summer, the fire element is higher with more warmth, dryness and lightness in the atmosphere. Summer is a time for really ‘making things happen’ – just think about the abundance the earth is displaying – animals rearing their young, fruits and vegetables taking over the allotments, kaleidoscopic flowers lining the flowerbeds and bees busy collecting pollen for their stores.
Some of us find the increase in external environmental heat can result in inflammatory symptoms such as hay fever and prickly heat. As a result, mother nature delivers again with her bounty of, cooling herbs and food such as mint, coriander, grapes, apricots, watermelon and sweet berries. Coconut water is also great for cooling along with peppermint, liquorice, fennel and rose teas.
Rising early to walk barefoot on the cool dewy grass whilst admiring the abundance of colour in the gardens and the rising morning call of song birds. Keep your exercise gentle, favouring the early morning or cooler evenings along with a touch of wild swimming. If you’re feeling a bit hot and bothered before bed, massage some organic coconut oil into the soles of your feet to bring the heat down.Make it stand out
Autumn
“Wild is the music of autumnal winds amongst the faded woods.” – William Wordsworth
In early autumn, we complete harvest, storing what we can for the months ahead (there’s a reason pumpkins have such tough skins!) whilst the deciduous start trees release their leaves to mother earth in preparation for winter hibernation. It truly is a magical cycle!
During autumn, we experience an increase in air and space elements both in our environment and in our body. As a result, we can feel quite discombobulated at this juncture as the cold, light, dry, rough and moving qualities can aggravate bringing about coughs, colds and flu. You may even notice changes in your appetite, bowel movements, sleep and energy levels.
During this golden season, we need to ensure we remain warm, grounded and nourished as we start to ‘slow down’ ready for winter. To help us do this, nature provides us with a bounty of root vegetables such as parsnips, turnips, swede, beetroot and pumpkin – perfect to make into soups with warming spices such as ginger and cumin. Maybe start your morning with a warming bowl of gently stewed apples or pears spiced with ginger, cinnamon and clove? Tulsi and ginger tea are also a perfect option to ward off those autumn coughs and colds.
In the meantime, nature provides us with overflowing hedgerows to build immunity – try making a seasonal tonic from blackberries, elderberries, hawthorn berries, sloes and rosehips? There’s something magical about foraging along the hedgerows in the cooling, misty air along with our children and furry friends in tow.
We naturally want to get to bed a little earlier in Autumn and rising by 6am allows us to welcome the day before too there’s much movement in the atmosphere. When you’re out walking and about on windy days, be sure to wear a hat and keep your ears covered – it’s a great way to keep grounded.
With dry and light qualities, Autumn also dries out our skin, so a daily self massage using warm sesame oil to soothe and moisturise.
Exercise should be slower paced – yoga nidra and heavier, slower paced resistance training. Enjoy your walks observing the magnificent colours, sunrises, sunsets as nature starts to slow, calm and turn inwards ready for winter.
Winter
The stillness of winter invites us to retreat so we can rest, relax and restore. In nature, things slow right down so much so, you wonder if there is anything happening! Be rest assured, there is plenty of action ‘behind the scenes’ – leaves are decomposing, creating rich, fertile soil for new life in the spring. So, just like nature, winter is a good time to take a step back and slow down to regenerate. And, consider this a ‘permission note’ to say ‘no thank you’ to the incoming invitations in the lead up to Christmas. Allow yourself time to be still.
When we think about winter, its predominantly cold, wet and damp which can lead to coughs and colds. We naturally will eat a touch more especially heavier, warming foods to help keep our digestive fire burning and our core warm.
Enjoy warm foods including porridge, soups, stews rich in root vegetables, rice, barley, rye and meat during this time. Winter is also the best time to savour a warming glass of red wine! Mulled wine is synonymous with Christmas and rightly so – simmered with warming spices including ginger, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg and fennel which warm from the inside out, benefitting the body in more ways than you can imagine. If you’re not up for a cheeky Mulled Wine, regularly sipping warm teas made with the above spices also does the trick.
To help keep ourselves warm and prevent too much accumulation or congestion, take your exercise up a notch and make sure you have a little sweat to clear the lymphatic system. A yoga class which brings up the heat with things such as sun salutations is a great option. Make your you wrap up warm for those frosty outdoor walks, finding some hills to get the heart rate going! Keep massaging your skin with warming sesame oil along with enjoying a steam or sauna to prevent cold, stiff and aching joints.
There’s much to be admired on your nature walks during the winter whether it be the bright red berries of holly, pine cones and lichen. Keep your bird feeder filled with nutritious seeds and balls, setting it up close to where you make your cup of tea. There’s nothing more wonderful than watching the coming and going of songbirds whilst waiting for the kettle to boil. Enjoy the crunch of frost on the grass and the icicles which hang during a deep frost. Be mesmerised by the subtle change under foot – observing the decomposition of fallen leaves as they gently heat the ground below whilst turning into fertile rich soil.
Why Seasonal Living?
Seasonal living ‘brings us back’ to the beautiful cycles of nature both on a micro and macro level. These cycles also are within us and tuning into the seasonal change allows us to better nurture our bodies needs along with keeping our digestion (hello gut/brain axis!) at its optimum.
Seasonal living supports our mental and emotional balance – the energy of the natural world around us is a prompt to the energy within us. Spring and summer are times for renewal, growth and making things happen. Autumn and winter are for slowing down, reflecting, resting and regenerating allowing us to foster deeper self-awareness.
In an age dominated by technology, reconnecting with the natural world connects us to what we really are – nature. Connecting to the changing seasons reminds us of our place within the larger ecosystem, fostering a sense of gratitude and mindfulness.
Aligning our lives with the seasons encourages us to create rituals that enhance our well-being. Whether it’s spring cleaning, summer picnics, autumn harvest festivals, or winter hibernation, these practices ground us in the present and enrich our lives.
Seasonal living is a powerful way to enhance your physical, mental, and emotional health. By embracing one of the core principles of Ayurveda and recognizing the seasonal qualities that influence our lives, we can cultivate a deeper connection to ourselves and the natural world. As we learn to flow with the rhythms of nature, we unlock a life rich in balance, harmony, and vitality. So, let’s celebrate each season and the unique gifts it brings!