With fall comes beautiful orange colored leaves covering the landscapes and of course bright orange pumpkins and sweet potatoes being the two fall favorites! But we all know that this is the start of flu season and dry skin, chapped lips, feeling blue with shorter days heading our way!

People with Vata dominance will feel more miserable and best way to stay balanced is via rest, warm foods, and plenty of moisturization and hydration internally and externally.Try this: Self-Massage or Abhyanga: Massaging your muscles stimulates your circulatory and lymphatic system allowing your body to flush toxins out. Consider using warm oils by warming on stove top or using your palms to generate heat. Some oils to consider include sesame seed oil, coconut oil or mustard oil. Massage on yourself (legs, arms, stomach, etc.) two to three times per week for optimal results.

People with Pitta dominance tend to feel much more balanced after a rather troublesome pitta summer season. They should avoid foods that increase pitta like spicy warm foods. Pitta-types can be aggravated by the light, fluid qualities of Fall so focusing on grounding, routine, and stability can be very helpful. Here is a tip: Increase your intake of water. Water helps to carry out waste and toxins out of the body. When you are hydrated, the water surrounds your cells and moves the toxins through your system. Massage your body with cooling oils like coconut oil.

People with Kapha dominance are naturally balanced with the Vata season in the air. But they may want to avoid very heavy foods and stay healthy especially those prone to sinus infections and allergies. Moistness in the fall weather can create imbalances in Kapha dominant types. Get plenty of sunshine when possible and spend more time in nature and practice yoga. The sedentary lifestyle of Kapha types can be overcome with the mobile, light nature of Vata season. Tip for Kapha: Try dry skin brushing (or Garshana) to increase lymphatic drainage and promote circulation, and detoxification. The direction of the stroke should always be toward your heart as this helps drain lymph back to your heart. Massage from your feet upward, continuing up to your torso and on to your neck. Also massage from the hands to the shoulders. Continue for at least five minutes.Complete your Garshana with a shower.