What it means to "Live Seasonably" Part 1
A guide to harnessing the seasons of the year
Does the concept of seasonal living intrigue you? It intrigued me 15 years ago, and now it’s my default. Further more, at the time I lived in Arizona where there are really only 2 seasons- hot and really fucking hot (boy how I miss the good ole A-Z). My point is, that it doesn’t matter where you are, it’s possible to live seasonably.
It makes sense to me to start at the beginning as this is the beginning of this newsletter project, so I’m planning a series of issues where I break down what it means to live and eat seasonally (or seasonably). These guides are a culmination of what I teach in my private practice as an Ayurveda practitioner, yogi, and dietitian/nutritionist.
The Seasons and the doshas
You may have noticed that there are 4 seasons and only 3 doshas, so you may wonder how those two ideas are connected. It’s kind of simple when you understand that the doshas are simply combinations of the five elements, and seasons are characterized by the influences of those elements. When it’s all said and done, the seasons are simply representations of the doshas…it will get even more interesting in future issues when I extend the idea of seasons to the season’s of life as a woman and the season’s of a woman’s menstrual cycle- sound fun? It is, so stay tuned.
Spring- the technical “new year” representing planting new seeds for growth into something new and nourishing -hello plants my friends! Spring can technically be broken up into two halves- early spring which mingles with the end of winter, and late spring which mingles with summer. The dosha of early spring is kapha- or water and earth- with cool, wet, heavy qualities- kind of like March and April in many places.
Summer is a time of heat- sometimes sticky, damp heat and other times hot and dry. It’s long days of sun, and endless time for connecting with the natural world. Plants are growing, wildlife families are expanding, and people are more social. The dominant dosha of summer is pitta- made up of fire and water, with hot, sharp, light, and oily. Sounds like July and August to me.
Fall- another transitional season, so in many places it can be separated into two parts- late summer/ early fall and late fall/ early winter. Fall is vata time for all intents and purposes. It’s a time of change characterized by cooling temps, winds, and heading into darker days. Vata is the dosha of air and ether, with the qualities of cool, dry, and mobile. Just writing about this has me thinking of a comforting pumpkin spice latte.
So what does that mean for you, dear reader in terms of your day-to-day habits like sleep, food, fitness, and even work schedule? I’m about to show you how some simple and seemingly logical adjustments to your mindset can radically change your life.
Using the season to your advantage
In Ayurveda, the saying goes: “like increases like” which simply means that things that are the same make more of the same. Huh?
Let me explain… in the summer if you live in a climate that is hot during the summer you don’t typically crave soup and hearty heavy meals- that’s because your body knows that the heat generated by those foods will only make you feel more hot. Just like you probably don’t go swimming in a refreshingly cold river in the middle of January in upstate New York. Cold things make more cold things, hot things make more hot things.
So how do you use this concept to your advantage? By listening to your body’s cues and making informed and mindful choices. Here are some basic guidelines to get you started:
Choose foods that are in-season. They will naturally balance out the current season. Juicy watermelon in the summer, cozy root veggies in the fall, and so on.
Change up your fitness routine to match the season. Not only will it keep you from getting bored, but you can put your energy into activities that you enjoy, and are more likely to stick with them.
Pay attention to the world around you. Just as the plants and animals start to slow down and retreat, winter is a good time to get some extra sleep, plan fewer social engagements, and spend some time reflecting and planning. In the spring head out side and soak up the sun, plant some baby plants, and start something new and fresh. Trust your intuition and see how it feels from season to season.
As you become more familiar with the flow of the seasons you might notice that you are more able to self-correct when you’re feeling out of sorts. You’ll be able to notice an imbalance before it becomes a problem and take steps to adjust your habits before a small imbalance becomes the root of disease.
Many of the common conditions we experience are a result of ignoring an imbalance because we can. Artificial light allows us to stay awake till well past the sun going down- leading to poor sleep, less exercise, and weight gain. The availability of all foods all the time at the local big-box means that sometimes the foods we eat are less nutritious and lack the nutrients we need- this can lead to digestive issues and nutrient deficiencies.
Start by noticing how many choices you make in a day that are not in alignment with the season, and ask yourself: “is this serving me today?” I’m not suggesting that we give up our indoor climate control, or even that we go to bed at 5pm all through February (ok maybe that one sounds good).
I am suggesting that we start to be more intentional about how we use the vast conveniences that we are gifted with and use them to our advantage instead of dulling the signs from our over-tired, over stressed, over-stimulated bodies. When we learn to live in harmony with the seasons we are learning to support our health and wellness goals naturally.
In part 2 of this series I will talk about how the phases of the moon and women’s menstrual cycles align.