Slow Down and Savor
As the nights grow cooler and longer, it’s an invitation to surrender. Lean into that invitation! Don’t try to maintain the high energy of summer, but instead, slow down and savor these waning days of summer.
As the light and mobile qualities of vata season start to move in we can feel energized and pulled to fill the days with activities, knowing that the winter days that keep us indoors are coming soon. Those light and mobile qualities of vata can be energizing, but they can also be depleting when we overdo it. Re-evaluate your schedule, don’t over commit yourself, and start winding down.
In āyurveda the quality of our energy, nervous system, and immune system are related to one of three vital essences called ojas. Ojas is a Sanskrit word that means “support, vitality, or lustre”, and it describes our internal support system. You can think of ojas as the master product for a body and mind that are full of bliss and vitality. The heat and stimulation of summer, as well as the frenetic mobility of fall both deplete ojas. This explains why, as we reach this transitional junction, it’s common to feel tired, run down, and overwhelmed.
It’s important that we focus on building ojas during this seasonal shift, so this crucial vital essence is available to support us when the depleting qualities of fall blow in.
One of the best ways to build and preserve ojas is by taking time to pause, rest, and reset. Rest is not highly valued in our culture, and it’s a skill that we have cultivate and tend to. As we move into vata season, prioritize your rest.
Ideas for ojas building:
Choose one thing to remove from your schedule this week, and replace it with a nap!
Pick one night this week to run yourself a warm bath (bonus: use the pittafresh herb and flower bath recipe found here).
Limit your screen time. Mindless scrolling and sensory stimulation are huge drains on our ojas reserves.
Take a walk outside (bonus: walk in the forrest, surround yourself with trees, and nature as much as you can)
Schedule some time with a friend or loved one who lifts your spirits. Supportive and uplifting community is great for building ojas!