Dan's Papers - August 31, 2007 -

It's that time of year again. August may still be bellowing in all her abundance, but September is whispering his cool breath in her ear. And, as always, we are reminded that there is no stopping the clock. March may come in like a lion and go out like a lamb, but summer in the Hamptons comes in like a rugby team and leaves like a wildebeest stampede. And then, these small oceanside towns are left reeling in the cloud of sand left behind.

Change, whether welcomed or dreaded, is rarely effortless. Whether it means planning for a return to school - buying clothes, making lesson plans, catching up on summer reading - or simply cleaning up the mess that another whirlwind summer brought on, there is work to be done at the transition. The same is true for our bodies.

As the days get shorter and a gentle bite creeps into the air, our bodies may begin to crave different things. It's important to listen to these cravings instead of sticking to our hardest habits. One of the core principles of Ayurvedic nutrition revolves around the changes in seasons.

In Ayurveda, there are three main body types - Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. All three of these types are present in everyone, but some people have a certain dosha dominating. In addition, the seasons have different qualities of these doshas. Summer, with all the heat and heaviness in the air, is considered Pitta. But as we transition towards autumn, we are experiencing movement and change. During transitions, Vata, the dosha associated with wind, is present.

What does this mean in terms of how we feel and what we should do about it? Well, because the Ayurvedic lifestyle is focused on maintaining balance at any point in life, it's important to observe the changes your body might be feeling and then incorporate foods and physical activity that will help balance you.

As summer gives way to fall, Vata begins to get agitated. This means you may experience symptoms like fatigue, dry skin and stress. To balance this, it's important to do things that give you time and space to decompress. For example, if you begin to feel anxious this time of year, acknowledge that you might need a little more structure. The summer is a frenetic time. Children enjoy the looser reins of camp as opposed to the more structured plan of most schools. Adults may get more vacation time when they can make their own hours. There are more hours of daylight, so you may find yourself with more energy for a larger part of the day.

However, as the sun sets earlier, you may find your energy levels decreasing. Instead of keeping up with the same hectic pace, perhaps slow it down a bit as we slide past Labor Day. Create structure in your days. If you have children who are bound for school, this will happen naturally as you fall into their routine. But if not, set some rituals for yourself. Whether that means waking up a little bit earlier to have a few minutes of yoga practice or a walk before work, give that to yourself. The little bit of extra time you allot will decrease your stress levels drastically.

It's also important to acknowledge nature as you look at your diet. In an ideal world, we would all be eating what grows naturally at a given time of year. So while we munch on salads and feast on watermelon all summer, the fall may bring more hardy foods, like squash and pumpkin. These foods have a soothing effect, which is helpful during times of transition.

You may also notice that the summer has taken a toll on your skin. Not only have you been basking in the sun and diving in the salt water, but it's also a time of change. That means that dry skin is aggravated further. Cooking with oils such as olive oil or sesame oil help nourish the skin from the inside out. Also be sure to stay hydrated by drinking enough water. In addition, applying skin cream daily will help keep your skin healthy and supple at this windy time of year.

Ayurvedic medicine is an extremely broad topic, but it is based on prevention. By eating the right foods for your body type that correspond with what the earth is doing at a given time, you can keep your body and your mind healthy, balanced and in harmony with an ever-changing world.