As the vibrant colours of autumn begin to paint our world, you may feel changes not only in the landscape but also within yourself. The transition from summer to autumn can bring subtle - and sometimes significant - shifts in our bodies and minds. If you've been feeling more on edge lately, or if grief-related anger seems to be intensifying, you're not alone. Let's explore why this happens and how we can navigate this seasonal transition with more grace and balance.

Summer's Lingering Warmth

Many of us have already experienced the dramatic drop in temperatures – sometimes as much as 15 degrees – going from above 30°C to a cool 14°C in just a week's time.

However, while the air is cooling, we might still be holding onto the summer heat that has built up in our bodies over the past months. This accumulated heat can manifest in unexpected ways:

• A noticeable dryness, especially on the skin
• Feeling constantly thirsty (often made worse by coffee or alcohol)
• Changes in digestive patterns, including drier stools
• Increased inflammation, showing up as skin rashes or joint pain
• A tendency towards irritability, frustration, or anger

In Ayurveda, these symptoms indicate an excess of Pitta, one of the three doshas (or fundamental energies) that regulate both our physical and mental functions. Pitta, which is associated with the fire and water elements, governs processes like metabolism and digestion.

When Pitta energy accumulates in the body - whether due to diet, lifestyle, or environmental factors - it leads to increased heat and dryness. As autumn brings its own dryness, this excess heat can create an unstable internal environment, much like a tinderbox ready to catch fire.

A Real-Life Example

To illustrate how these principles play out in real life, let me share a story about my friend Sarah:

Due to her original body-mind constitution (which includes a strong Pitta component), Sarah had always been prone to skin rashes when her diet and lifestyle didn’t balance her natural tendency toward heat and dryness. This past summer, she thought she had finally gotten them under control. However, as autumn approached, she was dismayed to find her skin flaring up again. She couldn't understand why – after all, the weather was cooling down; shouldn't that help?"

What Sarah didn't realise was that her summer habits were catching up with her. Like many of us, she'd enjoyed several cups of coffee in the morning and indulged in a few glasses of wine during those long summer evenings. She also continued her habit of eating cold meals apart from dinner (which was her main meal), thinking they were the perfect option for hot days.

Unknown to Sarah, these choices were actually contributing to her skin issues:

1.    The caffeine in coffee and the alcohol in wine were increasing the heat in her body and leading to dehydration.
2.    In summer, our digestion is naturally weaker as blood flow is directed more to the skin's surface. By consistently eating cold foods, Sarah was further compromising her digestion.
3.    Having her main meal in the evening put extra pressure on her digestive system when it’s less active (just like the setting sun).
4.    Sour foods, like tomatoes and yoghurt, can also increase Pitta and aggravate heat in the body.

As a result, when autumn arrived with its characteristic dryness, Sarah's body - already dealing with accumulated heat, dryness and weakened digestion - reacted with a flare-up of her skin rash.

Sarah's story highlights how our seasonal choices can have delayed effects, and why it's so important to be mindful of our habits year-round.

The Mind-Body Connection in Seasonal Transitions

In a recent article I wrote for Brainz Magazine, "Beyond Emotions – How Food & Lifestyle Choices Can Fuel Anger In Grief", I explored how our diet, lifestyle, and environment can deeply affect our emotional well-being. This connection between mind and body becomes even more pronounced during seasonal transitions.

The heat accumulated in our systems can intensify emotions, making us more prone to irritability or anger. If you're navigating grief, you might find that your anger feels more intense or harder to manage during the shift to autumn. This is your body and mind signalling that it's time to cool down and create more stability.

Embracing Autumn with Awareness

As we transition into autumn, it’s essential to recognise that our bodies and minds are intricately connected to the seasons. The habits we form during summer can have lasting effects as we move into the cooler months. By being mindful of this, we can adapt our diet and lifestyle to better support ourselves through the change.

Be gentle with yourself during this shift. Notice the changes in your body and mind, and respond with compassion. Remember, awareness is the first step towards more balance. 

In my next article, I'll share practical tips for managing seasonal shifts, including the power of routine to create stability. Stay tuned to learn how you can smoothly transition into autumn and support your overall well-being during this seasonal change, making sure you navigate grief as smoothly as possible going into autumn.