Chrysalis Healing Center

By: Cheryl Wolf

In this transitional period between summer and winter, it’s important to maintain a daily self-care routine of our five senses. In Ayurveda, this practice is called Dinacharya.

Fall in the United States is the season of cooling, a transition from the hot and humid summer toward a path of renewal. Every change in nature brings stress. As human beings we too must adapt to the changing seasons. 

The dominant qualities of the fall season are dry, light, cool, rough and windy. As a result, your daily regimen should be focused on pacifying these qualities by introducing their opposites! Ayurveda is simple: like increases like and opposites balance. 

Below are a few pillars of good health to follow to ease your body and mind and build a solid wellness foundation:

• Wake up early! If you can, get up a little before 6am.

• Start the morning with a cup of warm lemon water! This helps release toxins from the colon.

• Use a tongue scraper to help to clean toxins (known as “Ama” in Ayurveda) from your system.

• Do 5 minutes of focused breathing to energize your body and regulate your parasympathetic nervous system. Alternate nostril breathing is an easy, simple breathing technique that quickly promotes a sense of peace and well-being.

• Exercise but remember: This is a time for rebuilding and repairing tissue, working on strength as well as flexibility and reducing cardio workouts.

• Meditate!

• Favor warm, unctuous, nourishing meals over raw salads and astringent fruits. Switching to a diet of cooked foods is grounding, soothing and comforting. Experiment with root vegetables such as pumpkin, beets, carrots, potatoes, apple sauce and stewed pears. 

• Just before your shower, apply a liberal amount of oil to the body. Warm sesame oil, sunflower or coconut oil are the better choices.

• Before bed, applying oil through the nose, an ayurvedic practice called nasya, is great for clearer breathing and moistening the tissues.  Don’t forget to gently oil each ear canal too!

• Go to bed at or before 10pm. After that time, the body naturally switches to detoxifying and healing while you sleep.

This may seem like a lot of steps and effort, but none of it is difficult, complicated, or complex. And you just might find that you can no longer live without a daily routine of self-care.

And don’t forget: Massage is the best self-care of all. 

Want a full Ayurvedic Consultation?  Book an appointment with Cheryl Wolf at chertwolf65@gmail.com or 508-259-8972.