Embracing the Shift to Winter with Ayurvedic Practices
Embracing the Shift to Winter: 5 Ayurvedic Practices for Balance
As the days grow shorter and the air turns crisp, it can feel like winter suddenly arrives and sweeps us into overwhelm and a strong need for rest and stillness. This transition can feel ungrounding, but Ayurveda, the ancient Indian system of natural health, gives us simple, nurturing tools to stay balanced through it. We sat down with Bridget Atwell, an Ayurvedic educator and wellness expert, to get the inside scoop on how to feel your best this winter.
Bridget explained, “Ayurveda teaches us to live in rhythm with the seasons. Right now, we’re in Vata Season, a time when the air element dominates, bringing qualities of cold, dry, light, and mobile energy. To balance Vata, we focus on warmth, stability, nourishment, and calm.”
Here are five simple practices to do just that:
1. Strong Routine is Important During Vata Season
Vata energy can scatter us, so keeping a strong daily rhythm helps us feel grounded. Wake, eat, and rest at regular times. Begin your morning with a few realistic routines, like warm lemon water or tea, a few minutes of meditation and journaling, or massaging your body in warm oil to set the tone for steadiness throughout your day.
In short, anything that genuinely feels good and supports your well-being is worth weaving into your daily routine.
Here are a few of our favorites at the Well Room:
Cymbiotika | Liposomal Vitamin C - To boost immunity
Grüns Superfood Green Gummies - For vitamins minerals and immunity, we may be lacking in the cold.
Magnesium, either oil or supplement for relaxation , sleep, stress and recovery support.
2. Go Outside and Take a Morning Walk
Bundle up and step outside early. Challenge yourself to wait until after a morning walk to check your phone and computer. Feel the coolness of the morning, the changing light, and the quiet energy of the shorter days. Notice nature’s slowing pace and let it remind you to slow down, too. This helps your body sync with the natural rhythm of the season.
Before you head out, moisturize your body in warm oil to set the tone for steadiness throughout your day and balance the vata dryness.
3. Practice Gentle Breathwork (Pranayama)
Gentle breathwork, especially alternate nostril breathing (Nadi Shodhana), soothes the nervous system and balances Vata’s airy qualities. Just a few minutes in the morning can bring calm focus and warmth to the body.
4. Nourish Yourself with an Ayurvedic Vata Diet
Eat warm, moist, grounding foods, think soups, stews, cooked grains, and roasted vegetables. Add warming spices like cinnamon, ginger, and cumin. Cooked apples with cinnamon is a traditional Ayurvedic breakfast during Vata season. Avoid too much raw or cold food, which can increase dryness and restlessness.
5. Ground Through Creativity in a Sensory-Rich Space
Vata season fuels imagination and inspiration, perfect for writing, art, music, or innovation. Let your creativity flow, but balance it with grounding rituals. Prioritize rest and create from a cozy space.
As we move deeper into winter, these small, intentional practices can help you stay steady, inspired, and in harmony with the natural world. sage, incense, or a sodalite crystal can all help curate the perfect atmosphere for creativity to flow.
Want to learn more and curate a personalized plan? Meet Bridget …
Bridget Atwell is an Ayurveda, yoga, and creative habit educator. She has practiced yoga almost every day since 1998 and is a 500-hour Certified Yoga Teacher and Ayurvedic Health Counselor. Bridget focuses on integrated wellness and creativity as the foundation for all of her classes, projects, and relationships. Before starting her Ayurvedic and creative lifestyle company, serving on the leadership team that developed the Journey of Intrinsic Health with Zach Bush, MD, Bridget also creates original art and emphasizes unique expression, self-nourishment, and healthy routines as crucial components of a vibrant life. She shares the ancient principles of yoga and Ayurveda in a modern, accessible way, helping others experience greater energy, creativity, connection, and serenity in everyday life.
Reach out to Bridget to learn more: At Wellness Center
