Ayurveda and Seasonal Lifestyle Rhythms

By Dr. Puja Shah

Nature Is Slowing Down - And So Should You

August carries a quiet shift. The air is still warm, yet the light begins to soften. The days subtly shorten. Nature, in her infinite wisdom, starts to wind down from the peak of summer’s energy.

But in our modern world, this is when many of us speed up. We fill calendars, chase deadlines, and push through the lingering heat.

Ayurveda teaches that this late-summer push can weaken your agni (digestive fire), tax your ojas (vital energy), and leave your nervous system overstimulated – setting the stage for fatigue, anxiety, and lowered immunity in the months ahead.

The Seasonal Rhythm According to Ayurveda

In Ayurveda, every season has a dominant dosha that influences how we feel:

Summer: Pitta (fire + water)
Late Summer to Early Fall: Transition from Pitta to Vata (air + ether)
Winter: Kapha (earth + water)

When Pitta’s fiery intensity overlaps with Vata’s light, mobile qualities, our bodies are especially vulnerable. Without slowing down, this transition period can stir up inflammation, restlessness, poor digestion, and scattered focus.

Why Late Summer is the Time to Slow Down

Think of August as the bridge between high heat and the cool winds of fall. If you keep running at full speed across that bridge, you risk stumbling, but if you walk with awareness, you’ll arrive grounded and strong.

Ayurveda reminds us that seasonal alignment isn’t just about food or weather, it’s about matching our inner rhythm to the earth’s rhythm.

How to Live in Tune with the Late-Summer Rhythm

1. Reduce overcommitment

Say no to extra projects and invitations. Prioritize rest and activities that nourish rather than drain.

2. Favor light, cooling, and easy-to-digest foods

Support your digestion with simple meals: lightly spiced dals, steamed vegetables, fresh herbs, and seasonal fruits. Avoid heavy, oily, or overly spicy dishes.

3. Create evening rituals for the nervous system

Try abhyanga (warm oil massage) before bed, sip chamomile or tulsi tea, and dim lights an hour before sleep.

4. Balance movement with stillness

Swap intense midday workouts for morning walks, restorative yoga, or gentle stretching. This helps conserve energy and prevent overheating.

5. Reflect and release

Use journaling or meditation to identify habits or emotions you want to leave behind before fall.

Seasonal Wisdom in Action

When you honor seasonal lifestyle rhythms, you work with nature, not against her. Slowing down in August isn’t laziness; it’s an intentional act of resilience.

By making space now, you protect your immunity, strengthen your digestion, and ensure your energy flows into autumn with clarity and steadiness.

This is Ayurveda’s invitation: Move in harmony with life, and life will move in harmony with you.

About Dr. Puja Shah, Editor-in-Chief of The Natural Law

Dr. Puja Shah is an award-winning author whose 93 year old grandmother swore by Ayurvedic remedies and practiced yoga into her last days. And so while her education includes 9 years of medical training as a dentist, 3 teaching qualifications in yoga, and dozens of courses in meditation, it’s no wonder that she always goes back to Ayurveda. Puja harnesses Ayurveda regularly with her children and husband Amish Shah, Founder of The Natural Law.