Staying Grounded in Vata Season

Lani Cochran, LMT/NTP
Nov 13
3 min read

Simple ways to stay warm, nourished, and steady as the air turns cool and dry

As the air turns crisp and the days grow shorter, our bodies begin to feel the subtle shift of the seasons. In Ayurveda, this time of year is known as Vata season — the period ruled by the elements of air and ether.

You can feel it in the wind that picks up, in the dry skin that suddenly needs more moisture, in the scattered thoughts that come with busy schedules and cooler weather. Vata energy is light, cool, mobile, and dry — which means to stay balanced, we need to invite in its opposite qualities: warmth, steadiness, and nourishment.

At Little Bird, we often remind clients that your body’s needs are never static. Just as nature shifts with the seasons, so do we — and making small adjustments in your daily rhythm can make a big difference in how grounded and resilient you feel through the fall and early winter months.

Here are a few gentle ways to support yourself through Vata season.

1. Hydration that Heals

Vata’s dryness shows up quickly in the body — from chapped lips to tight muscles to scattered thinking. One of the simplest ways to counter this is by adding warmth to your hydration.

Trade icy water for warm or room-temperature water throughout the day. You can even elevate it by adding gentle herbs and spices like ginger, cumin, or coriander — all of which support circulation and digestion while keeping the body warm from the inside out.

If you’re prone to tension headaches, muscle stiffness, or feeling “cold to the bone,” try starting each morning with a mug of warm water and lemon, or sip herbal tea between meals to keep things moving smoothly.

2. Nourish with Warm, Grounding Foods

This is the time to lean into comforting, cooked meals and seasonal produce. Think roasted root vegetables, hearty soups, and stews with a little bit of healthy fat to help your body absorb nutrients.

Incorporate foods that are sweet, salty, and slightly oily — like ghee, avocados, oats, sweet potatoes, squash, carrots, and beets. These all help counter the dryness and irregularity that Vata brings.

Try prepping a few staples each week — a pot of broth, roasted vegetables, cooked grains — so nourishing meals come together easily, even on busy evenings. Eating mindfully and at consistent times also helps regulate digestion, which tends to get sensitive in colder months.

3. Daily Rhythms & Self-Care (Dinacharya)

Ayurveda emphasizes dinacharya — your daily rhythm — as the foundation for health. During Vata season, the body thrives on consistency and warmth.

Oil massage (Abhyanga): Before your shower, massage warm sesame or herbal-infused oil into your skin using gentle, circular motions. This practice nourishes dry skin, calms the nervous system, and supports better sleep.
Movement: Choose movement that’s slow, rhythmic, and grounding — gentle yoga, walking, or stretching. Avoid overexertion or anything that leaves you depleted.
Rest: Try to keep a regular bedtime, winding down with warmth — a cup of tea, a bath, or light journaling before bed.

These small rituals help remind the body that it’s safe to rest, even in a fast-moving world.

Vata season asks us to do less, not more — to move slower, eat warmer, and take the time to care for the body that carries us through each day.

With a few mindful adjustments, you can keep your energy steady, your skin hydrated, and your mind grounded through the months ahead.

Your body knows the rhythm — it just needs a little reminder.