Get Grounded~ An in-depth guide to finding calm, clarity, and consistency during seasonal change

As the weather cools and the days shorten, we transition into Vata season—a time of air and ether, dryness and motion. While this shift can be invigorating and filled with opportunity, it also tends to stir anxiety, dryness, irregular digestion, and restlessness—especially if you're sensitive to seasonal change.

In this post, we’ll explore Ayurvedic tools and routines to help you feel grounded, nourished, and in rhythm with the season.

What Is Vata Season & How Does It Affect Us?

Vata is one of the three Ayurvedic doshas, made of air and ether. Its qualities include: dry, light, mobile, subtle, cold, and rough. Vata governs movement, breath, nervous system activity, and creativity—but when elevated, it can cause physical and mental instability.

Signs of Vata imbalance may include:

• Anxiety, restlessness, or racing thoughts

• Constipation, gas, or dry stools

• Cold hands and feet

• Dry skin or hair

• Difficulty focusing

• Irregular sleep and appetite

Common Triggers of Vata Imbalance

• Inconsistent routines

• Excessive screen time or stimulation

• Travel or long car rides

• Skipping meals or eating cold, dry foods

• Excessive movement

• Exposure to cold, dry, or windy environments

Grounding Daily Routines (Dinacharya)

• Wake and sleep on a consistent schedule (ideally wake before sunrise, bed by 10 p.m.)

• Create gentle morning and evening rituals—oil massage, journaling, stretching, or herbal tea

• Limit multitasking and overbooking

• Align your routine with nature: rise with the sun, slow down as it sets

Nourishing Self-Care Rituals

• Abhyanga (oil massage): Use warm oil in the morning before bathing to soothe the skin and nervous system

• Oil for ears & nose: Add a dab of oil inside the ears or nostrils on cold, dry days to protect delicate tissues

• Bath rituals: Soak in warm baths with grounding bath salts or essential oils

• Custom self-care kits: Let me build a kit just for you with seasonal body care, crystals, and grounding rituals 

Breathwork & Meditation

Vata is governed by movement and breath. Bring stillness through these free practices:

• Bhramari (Buzzing Bee Breath): Calms the mind, slows the breath, and reduces anxiety

• Nadi Shodhana: Alternate nostril breathing to balance left/right brain and soothe mental chatter

• Body scan meditations: Especially grounding when lying down and focusing on the spine or central channel

 Vata-Pacifying Yoga

• Focus on slow, steady and repetitious movement- like a sun salutation

• Emphasize postures and practices that are warming or in a warm environment 

• Hold postures longer and breathe deeply into your foundation
  

Crystals to Support Vata Season

Crystals are condensed Earth energy—perfect for balancing Vata. Try:

• Agate: Enhances stability and grounding

• Amethyst: Soothes anxiety and supports intuition

• Jasper: Nurtures and anchors

• Fluorite: Enhances the ability to focus

Food & Digestion for Vata Balance

• Eat warm, moist, nourishing meals like soups, stews, and porridges

• Stick to regular meal times to help regulate appetite and blood sugar

• Favor the sweet, sour, and salty tastes; minimize bitter and astringent

• Add warming spices: cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg or garlic

• Avoid cold, raw, or overly dry foods (like crackers, popcorn, and dry granola)

Mindful Eating for Vata

• Sit down when you eat—no multitasking, walking, or driving

• Minimize distractions like phones or loud environments

• Check in with your body before, during, and after meals

• Practice gratitude, chew slowly, and savor warmth

• Keep a digestive health tracker or journal to identify patterns and support healing (Let me know if you need a template and I can email it to you.)

Want to Take the Guesswork Out of Grounding?

If everything in this post resonates—but feels like a lot to implement on your own—Rooted was made for you.

Rooted is a self-paced course designed to help you:

• Create a reliable daily rhythm (dinacharya)

• Improve core strength, digestion, and breath awareness

• Reduce anxiety and restore nervous system resilience

• Learn foundational yoga, Ayurveda & breathwork in short, accessible lessons

• Stay grounded and clear no matter what the season brings

This course is especially helpful during Vata season, but it’s relevant any time you feel ungrounded, anxious, or out of sync with your body.

Click here to learn more about Rooted and start building the stability your system is craving.