Embrace Peri-menopause with Wisdom, Grace, and a deeper
Connection to your Body.
As the leaves turn golden and the air grows crisp, nature reminds us that change is a natural and beautiful part of life.Â
Similarly, our bodies go through their own seasonal shifts. Peri-menopause is one such season - a time to shed old patterns, embrace new rhythms, and find balance amidst the changes.
The Seasons of Life Through Ayurveda
Ayurveda, an ancient system of medicine, teaches us that just as the seasons of nature cycle, so do the seasons of our lives.
As a woman transitions through peri-menopause this aligns with the Vata phase of life, a time when the air and space elements dominate. Just as autumn’s dry winds stir up the world around us, the Vata energy within can amplify imbalances, leaving us feeling scattered, anxious, or fatigued.
But rather than resist these changes, we can approach them as invitations to restore balance, shed what no longer serves us, and prepare for a more vibrant, aligned phase of life.
Ayurveda teaches us life is divided into three seasons:
Kapha (0-20 years):Â A time of growth and development, rich with the qualities of earth and water.
Pitta (20-45 years):Â The fiery phase, driven by ambition, action, and transformation.Â
Vata (45+ years):Â The stage of wisdom, creativity, and introspection, dominated by air and ether elements.Â
The peri-menopausal years mark the transition into the Vata phase of life. When in balance, it offers clarity, creativity, and wisdom. However, when out of balance, it can manifest as anxiety, sleep disturbances, dryness (skin, digestion, and joints), and erratic emotions - symptoms that feel all too familiar during hormonal shifts.
Add to this the cooling, windy, and erratic qualities of autumn (the Vata season), and the potential for imbalance increases. It’s no wonder many women feel stressed out, overwhelmed and increased digestive issues during this time of year and life.
Recognising the Signs of Imbalance
Peri-menopause isn’t just about declining hormones - it’s about the interplay between your hormones, digestion, stress levels, and lifestyle. Symptoms like bloating, weight gain, or low energy are often signals that your body’s natural balance is off.
Each dosha expresses imbalances differently:
Kapha imbalances: Weight gain, sluggish digestion, feelings of heaviness, or lack of motivation.
Pitta imbalances: Irritability, hot flashes, skin sensitivities, inflammation or burnout.
Vata imbalances: Dryness, insomnia, forgetfulness, anxiety or overwhelm.
These imbalances are exacerbated by modern stressors—long hours, processed foods, overstimulation from screens—all of which disrupt your body’s natural rhythm.
Aligning with Nature for Balance
Instead of battling symptoms, you can use the wisdom of Ayurveda and nature’s rhythms to restore balance. Here are some ways to harmonise your body with the changing season and life stage:
Create Grounding Daily Routines
Establish regular sleep and wake times to calm the nervous system.
Practice grounding rituals like yoga, meditation, or journaling.
Spend time outdoors, soaking up sunlight and breathing fresh air. This not only grounds Vata energy but also supports mood and circadian rhythms
Nourish with Seasonal, Warming Foods
Favour warm, cooked meals over raw salads and smoothies, which can aggravate Vata.
Incorporate ghee, nuts, seeds, and oily fish into your diet. Healthy fats support brain function, hormone balance, and glowing skin.
Spices like cinnamon, ginger, and turmeric can enhance digestion and warmth.
Daily Rituals to Anchor Your Energy
Practise Abhyanga (self-massage)Â with warm sesame oil to soothe the nervous system.
Start your day with tongue scraping to remove toxins and stimulate digestion.
Create a consistent bedtime routine to calm Vata and enhance sleep quality.
Movement and Rest in Balance
Choose grounding, mindful movement like yoga, Pilates, or walking in nature.
Avoid over-exercising, which can spike cortisol and deplete already fragile energy reserves.
Pause for 15 minutes from whatever your doing and find stillness or practice mindfulness.
Let Go of What No Longer Serves You
Detox emotionally: Journal, meditate, or seek support for unresolved stressors.
Detox your environment and habits: shed toxic skincare products, clean up your diet, and release routines that no longer serve you.
Reflect on what fears or limiting beliefs you can let go of to welcome this next vibrant chapter of life.
Peri-menopause: A Season of Transformation
This time of life, like autumn, is about release - shedding layers to reveal your authentic self. Embrace it as an opportunity to align with your body’s natural rhythms, honour your inner wisdom, and set the foundation for vitality and well-being. Rather than fighting these symptoms, use Ayurvedic principles to restore harmony.
When you listen to your body’s cues and make intentional changes, you don’t just survive
peri-menopause - you thrive.
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