Embracing the Winds of Change — Finding Balance During Vata Season

The winds are shifting, and if you’ve stepped outside lately, you can feel it. The days are breezier, the air cooler, and your hands a little drier. You’ve probably saved a dozen soup and stew recipes to warm up your evenings (I know I have!).

Vata season has officially arrived — and while it’s one of the most magical times of the year, it also brings its own set of challenges.

In Ayurveda, Vata season is governed by the elements of air and space — qualities that bring movement, creativity, and lightness. But too much of those same qualities can leave us feeling scattered, anxious, dry, and depleted. Think of it as nature’s way of inviting us to slow down, ground, and restore balance before winter’s deep stillness arrives.

To me, this time of year feels sacred. The trees let go of what’s no longer needed. The air clears. The light softens. It’s a reminder to do the same — to release what we’ve been carrying, to create space for renewal, and to prepare for the inner quiet of winter.

Let’s explore what’s happening in your body and mind this season — and how you can stay energized, grounded, and glowing all the way through it.

Understanding Vata Season

Ayurveda teaches that everything in nature (including us) is made up of three primary energies, or doshas:

• Vata (air + space) — light, cool, dry, mobile

• Pitta (fire + water) — hot, sharp, transformative

• Kapha (earth + water) — heavy, stable, grounding

In autumn and early winter, Vata dominates. Its presence can be felt in the crisp winds, shorter days, dry air, and unpredictable weather. When Vata energy is balanced within us, it feels beautiful — creative, adaptable, and free-flowing. But when it tips out of balance, we can easily become untethered.

Signs You Might Be Feeling Vata Imbalance

Here are a few ways you might notice Vata showing up in your body and mind:

• Restlessness or racing thoughts

• Trouble focusing or finishing tasks

• Feeling cold, especially in your hands and feet

• Dry skin, lips, or hair

• Digestive irregularity (bloating, gas, constipation)

• Interrupted or light sleep

• Feeling tired but wired

• A general sense of being “all over the place”

Sound familiar? You’re not alone. The good news is that Ayurveda offers simple, comforting ways to bring your energy back into harmony.

Simple Ways to Balance Vata

The key word for this season: Grounding.
Everything that helps you feel warm, nourished, stable, and cared for will help balance Vata’s light, cool, and mobile nature.

1. Slow Down Your Rhythm

Vata energy moves fast. To counter that, we have to intentionally slow down. Try waking and going to bed at the same times each day. Build gentle morning and evening rituals — like sipping warm tea in silence or journaling before bed. Create small, predictable rhythms that help you feel anchored.

2. Eat for Warmth & Nourishment

Now’s not the time for salads and smoothies. Think cozy, cooked, and comforting.
Some of my fall favorites:

• Roasted sweet potatoes and carrots drizzled with olive oil

• Butternut squash soup with warming spices like ginger and cumin

• Lentil or bean stews simmered with ghee

• Oatmeal with cinnamon and cardamom for breakfast

If it comes from the earth, warms your belly, and leaves you satisfied — it’s perfect for this season.

3. Move with Intention

Gentle, steady movement helps keep Vata energy flowing without overstimulation. Try slow flow yoga, restorative postures, or mindful walks in nature. Think of movement as nourishment, not performance.

4. Add Moisture Everywhere

Vata’s dryness affects skin, joints, and even the mind.

• Massage warm sesame or almond oil into your skin before showering (called abhyanga).

• Use a humidifier if the air in your home feels dry.

• Stay hydrated with warm water or herbal teas (ginger, cinnamon, licorice are great).

5. Rest Like It’s Sacred

Rest isn’t laziness — it’s medicine. Prioritize good sleep, slow evenings, and restful pauses. Curl up under a blanket with a book or do nothing at all for ten minutes a day.

Self-Care Ritual: The Evening Grounding Glow

Here’s a 15-minute evening ritual to help calm your nervous system and restore your inner glow before bed.

Step 1: Warm Oil Massage
Warm a small amount of sesame or almond oil in your hands. Gently massage your feet, legs, arms, and belly in slow circular motions. Feel the warmth sink into your skin.

Step 2: Cozy Pause
Slip into soft socks and wrap yourself in a blanket. Light a candle or dim your lights. Breathe deeply — in through your nose, out through your mouth — releasing the day.

Step 3: Reflection
Jot down one thing you’re grateful for and one thing you’re ready to let go of. This practice reminds your mind it’s safe to rest.

Step 4: Herbal Support
Sip a warm, calming tea (chamomile or tulsi are lovely choices).

Step 5: Sleep Ritual
Before bed, place a few drops of lavender oil on your pillow or temples. Let your body melt into rest, feeling held, nourished, and grounded.

Nature’s Lesson

Vata season teaches us that change is not something to resist — it’s something to flow with. The trees don’t fight the wind or cling to their leaves. They trust the process of letting go.

You can do the same. Let yourself release the rush, the pressure, and the mental clutter. Welcome softness, warmth, and presence.

When you slow down enough to listen, this season becomes less about surviving the cold and more about remembering your own inner fire.

So grab that cozy sweater, simmer your favorite soup, light a candle, and breathe in the sweetness of this moment. You’re exactly where you need to be.