The seasonal schedule, or Ritucharya, is an Ayurvedic roadmap guiding our minds and bodies into new seasons with ease, mentally, physically and spiritually. As autumn approaches, we move from Pitta to Vata season. The air becomes colder, lighter and drier, which can stir up trouble for our skin, digestion and concentration. It’s almost time to ground down, cozy up and find calm in warming foods and practices. Here are 5 tools to bring comfort to the cooler days.
1. With autumn comes the olive oil harvest. Olive oil is nourishing and warming to consume (try local brands Unto Toscano or Sàgona), but also to use for massage. Pay particular attention to your feet: a nice foot massage is a loving and stabilizing practice perfect for the transitional season.

2. Stimulating the brain, opening up the lungs and aiding in digestion, fennel is your best fall friend. The bulbs are delicious fresh with a little olive oil and salt, or cooked lightly in kitchari, a cleansing Ayurvedic porridge. The dried seeds can be chewed after a hearty meal or steeped in tea on a cold night. For the latter, some cozy tea houses in Florence in which to sip are La Via del Tè (Finocchio Liquirizia) or Mago Merlino (Balance).

3. Sweeten up your days (and your nights) with figs. This nutritious, anti-inflammatory and aphrodisiacal fruit is sweet and moist, rich in antioxidants and increases circulation. The piazza Tasso fierucola on Friday afternoons features excellent fresh figs.

4. Another sumptuous way to warm the body is with warm baths. Infuse your bath with calming geranium and vanilla to soothe your skin and mind. No bath at home? Head over to LA SPA Helvetia & Bristol, Asmana or take a drive to a hot spring around Tuscany.

5. Exercise. Aerobic to be precise! Jog lightly around the Arno or take The22’s new Power & Beats LIIT class to stimulate blood flow and clear the mind through slow burn exercises.
