Autumn has definitely arrived, so I thought I’d send out some Ayurvedic tips for moving into the Autumn season, including this lovely porridge recipe made with whole oats groats with the last of this seasons figs.
The wind is blustering outside my window and the tree, beginning to turn golden, has branches that are throwing themselves every which way. And then, for a few moments they stop, and just the leaves on the end of the branches flutter. Sky full of clouds, for a moment the sun seemed to be behind them, then, more layers of charcoal sky painted their way across the skyline. I think there is going to be a storm. The atmosphere is silent, still. The ground stands waiting and all the little creatures, are not to be seen. My window boxes, still full of coriander and parsley flutter, then stop then start again in rhythm with the tree. In the distance there is the sound of a city moving from day to night.
Ayurveda autumnal tips
Each of the seasons corresponds to the doshas that make up our constitution. This is because, for Ayurveda, the elements that make up the doshas also create the seasons.
During autumn and early winter there is more of the elements of air and ether (space) in the environment. To stay in balance (foundation for good health) we need to regulate our body and mind through consuming less of the air and ether elements. I’ll talk about this more in my podcast The Ayurveda Series later in the year. I just wanted to give a simple understanding of what the Ayurvedic autumnal advice is based upon.
Ayurveda tips for enjoying autumn
Eat well-cooked protein-rich foods.
Lean in towards the sweet, salty and sour tastes (I’ll go into this more fully in the podcast but the tastes are created by the elements, for instance the bitter taste is created by the elements of air and ether so you want less of this during autumn).
Drink lots of warm herbal teas like fennel, liquorice, ginger and chamomile.
Eat unctuous (good quality oils like olive, sesame, butter and ghee), moist, warm foods.
Keep warm and cosy.
Feed your senses grounding peaceful activities.
Play music that makes you happy and is uplifting and peaceful.
Wrap up and walk in nature.
Give yourself a self-massage with lots of sesame oil followed by a warm bath – vata types every day, pitta types 3-4 times a week, kapha types 2-3 times a week (here’s a quiz to help you discover your constitution).
Live life to a gentle rhythm (do the same things at the same time each day, this will sooth your nervous system which can become anxious as autumn gets under way for some people - vata types mainly, kapha types love autumn!).
I will send out more Ayurvedic posts to support your health during this change of seasons. Let me know in the comments if you have any questions.
Joy dots
If you are new to my substack, you can read about joy dots here
These are mine for today, I’d love to know yours if you felt like putting them in the comments. When you write and speak joy dots it fires up positive neural networks in your brain, which is great for addressing stress.
Friendship
Kindness
Bees still finding pollen
Candlelight
The smell of oranges and lemons
Pictures on my wall
Raindrops
Blue sky come again
Nice neighbours
Happy smiles
Smell of the earth
Starry night skies
Recipe
The picture at the top of this letter is if one of my favourite porridge recipes for autumn. I make it with 1/3 cup whole oats groats to 8 parts water. I put this in a slow cooker on low (you can cook in the oven on very low overnight but use boiling water), to which I add one apple chopped, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon powder, 5 crushed cardamon pods, 1/4 cup orange segments chopped and 2 figs sliced. In the morning I add some maple syrup before eating and mix in ground almonds, about 1/2 a cup.
Warm wishes,
Lucy x
That porridge sounds soooo good!! 😍
It's spring over here, but your posts are always a joy to read. My joy dots today are sleeping in my own bed after 5 weeks on the road, home cooking, kitty cuddles, moving slow, pink magnolias popping and wisteria blossom in my garden 😊