Seasonal Affective Disorder is a form of depression that typically appears in late Autumn and Winter, when daylight decreases. From an Ayurvedic perspective, this seasonal dip in mood isn’t random, it’s closely linked to the qualities of the season and their impact on our energy and mind-body system.

As always, Ayurveda has a seasonal explanation for such a thing, and surprise, surprise offers us practical ways to support ourselves to prevent it, or remedy the symptoms if we do find ourselves suffering with it.

How Ayurveda Explains SAD

Ayurveda views the world and our internal state through the lens of the doshas: Vata, Pitta, Kapha. SAD is usually tied to Vata and Kapha imbalance, both of which rise in late autumn and winter.

Vata Season (Late Autumn/ Early Winter) - typical imbalances: Instability + Anxiety

Autumn is the time of Vata dosha, which is:

Cold
Dry
Light
Windy
Irregular

When Vata increases, we may experience:

Low mood
Anxiety
Restlessness
Sleep disturbances
Feeling ungrounded

Vata’s light, airy nature can leave the mind feeling depleted and fragile, making us more vulnerable to mood shifts.

Kapha Season (early Winter/ Spring) - typical imbalances: Low Energy + Heaviness

As winter deepens, Kapha increases:

Heavy
Slow
Cold
Damp

This can show up as:

Lethargy
Oversleeping
Depression
Low motivation
A sense of emotional ‘heaviness’
Unhealthy Attachments

SAD often peaks when a Vata imbalance turns into Kapha stagnation, which is a perfect Ayurvedic match for feeling low, dull and disconnected.

How to Prepare for SAD in Autumn: Ayurvedic Tips

**1. Transition with the Season**

Autumn is the time to build stability before winter heaviness sets in.

Focus on:

Regular routines
Warm, grounding meals
Early bedtimes
Limiting overstimulation

Anything that anchors Vata early helps prevent the deeper slump later.

2. Favor warm, nourishing foods

Replace cold, raw, or dry foods (which aggravate Vata) with warm and oily foods.

Ayurveda recommends:

Soups, broths, ramens and stews
Root vegetables for their warming grounding qualities, and sweet tasting veggies like squash, pumpkin, sweet potato and carrots
Ghee or sesame oil
Warm grains (oatmeal, rice, wheat)
Warming spices: ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, cumin

Warm foods stabilise the mind and strengthen digestion, which is directly linked to mood in Ayurveda.

3. Choose Warming, Uplifting Teas & Tonics

Helpful Ayurvedic options include:

Tulsi (holy basil) 1/2tsp in hot water - add a slice of gingers for extra heat
Ashwagandha (for grounding and stress) - 1/2 tsp in hot milk with a littel honey to sweeten
Ginger tea - fresh or 1/2tsp of ground ginger for a fiery brew
Turmeric milk - 1/4- 1/2 tsp turmeric with cinnamon, pinch nutmeg, ground ginger in hot milk with a little jaggery to sweeten
Saffron milk (mood-supportive in Ayurveda)

Of course what we consume is just one part of the solution. Ayurveda considers our lifestyle and our habits just as important as the foods we consume and the herbs we take.

In part 2. I will be talking about all the other effective practices, rituals and routines we can introduce to help avoid S.A.D taking over our Winter.

P.S.

This is the kind of honest, seasonal, real-life wisdom I share inside The Aligned Living Membership — a slow, Ayurvedic space for rhythm, rest, and realness.