Harnessing autumn energy: Seasonal practices for balance.
As the vibrant energy of summer fades and autumn settles in, nature invites us to slow down, reflect, and turn inward. The crisp air, falling leaves, and earlier sunsets signal a season of grounding, nourishment, and letting go. In both Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), autumn is seen as a time to balance the body and mind through warmth, routine, and gentle self-care.
By aligning our wellness practices with the season, we can support our immune systems, digestion, and emotional balance, helping us to move gracefully into the cooler months ahead.
The Energy of Autumn
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, autumn is associated with the Lung and Large Intestine meridians, representing both intake and release. This is a time to breathe deeply, clear what no longer serves you (physically and emotionally), and strengthen your inner resilience. Practices that nourish the lungs — like breathwork, hydration, and spending time in fresh air — are especially beneficial now.
In Ayurveda, autumn ushers in Vata season, characterized by qualities of coolness, dryness, and movement. To stay balanced, we focus on warmth, stability, and moisture, both in what we eat and how we live.
Practices to Stay Grounded and Nourished
Eat warm, cooked foods. Favor grounding, nourishing meals, such as soups, stews, roasted vegetables, and spiced grains. Incorporate warming herbs and spices like ginger, cinnamon, turmeric, and cardamom, which support digestion and circulation. Sweet potatoes, squash, beets, and carrots are ideal seasonal staples.
Hydrate and moisturize. As the air becomes dry, so does the body. Drink plenty of warm herbal teas (like ginger or licorice root) and add healthy fats such as ghee, olive oil, or avocado to meals. Externally, try self-massage with warm sesame or almond oil before showering, an Ayurvedic ritual called Abhyanga that nourishes the skin and calms the nervous system.
Breathe and release. Autumn’s energy of release makes this the perfect time for breathwork or meditation. Deep, mindful breathing strengthens the lungs and helps let go of stress or grief, emotions often linked with the lung meridian in TCM. Try a simple exercise: Inhale for four counts, hold for two, exhale for six. Repeat for several minutes to restore calm and clarity.
Establish gentle routine. Both TCM and Ayurveda emphasize the importance of rhythm. As daylight wanes, align your routine with nature’s cues — earlier dinners, consistent sleep, and quiet evening rituals. Routine helps stabilize Vata energy and keeps the mind centered.
Support immunity naturally. Transitioning seasons can test our immune systems. Fortify your body with immune-supportive herbs such as astragalus, elderberry, echinacea, and ginger. Keep warm with herbal teas or broths, and consider adding adaptogens like ashwagandha for nervous system support.
Welcoming Autumn with Intention
Just as the trees release their leaves, autumn reminds us to slow down and let go. It’s a season to pause, nurture the body, and reflect on what we want to carry forward, and what it’s time to release.
This fall, give yourself permission to rest, root, and realign. By harmonizing with autumn’s energy, you strengthen your foundation for the months ahead.