Stay cool in summer with Ayurveda
Pitta dosha, one of the three energetic forces in Ayurveda, is the intelligence responsible for governing metabolic and transformational processes in the mind and body. Pitta is made up of the elements of fire and water, and its qualities are hot, light and sharp. In balance, Pitta looks like strong digestion, a discerning intellect and self-determination. When Pitta is imbalanced, however, we notice symptoms like heartburn, skin eruptions like eczema and acne, aggression and irritability. Each of us will experience varying levels of Pitta, as we all possess our own unique balance of the three doshas, and these three fluctuate depending on diet and lifestyle, age, environment and seasons.
Summer is considered to be a Pitta time of year because it too is characterised by heat. This means Pitta is naturally more dominant, and more prominent, in the hotter months. Like increases like, so the Pitta present within us is likely to spike with hotter days and nights. To balance this, we need to incorporate the opposite qualities to ensure Pitta doesn’t get out of control.
Here I’m sharing some simple tips you can lean on in the sunny months to keep Pitta in check. As always, take what resonates and leave what doesn’t – only you can sense what’s truly needed to return to balance.
Summer Ayurveda tips
Spritz rose water
Keep a small bottle of natural rose water on hand for when you feel overheated. Spritz onto your face or soak two cotton eye pads and place them over the eyes for 10 minutes to extract excess heat (also great after a long day of computer time). I love this one by Rasasara – it’s worth buying quality because a little goes a long way, and a bottle will last you a long time.
Sip pomegranate juice
People often tend to reach for more alcohol in summer, either to quench their thirst or because they’re simply around it more with parties, BBQs and events. Alcohol is very heating and dehydrating to the body, causing a spike in Pitta dosha. Swap out some of your alcoholic drinks for pomegranate juice. It’s cooling in nature and sweet, bitter and astringent, which balance Pitta’s heat. I like to dilute with water as many can be very strong. Look for one that isn’t full of additives like sugars, colours and flavours.
Adjust exercise times & styles
Avoid exercise in the peak of heat on super hot days. Try and do it early in the morning, when the air is still cool. This avoids adding excess heat into the body. It’s also worth looking at slower, more gentle and less heat-intensive exercise like early walks, swimming and yoga.
Beat the rush
you don’t have to do it all! It is normal to want to be out and about doing all the things in summer. The days are longer, people are feeling social and it’s tempting to fill the calendar. Enjoy yourself and this time of year, but be mindful of overdoing it. Know your limits and check in on how you’re feeling.
Cool your jets with a mango & cardamom smoothie
In a blender, add the flesh of 1 mango, 1/2 teaspoon of cardamom and a splash of coconut water. Blend well, pour into a glass and enjoy.
Hydrate with cooling spices
Sip on a cooling tea. Add 1/2 teaspoon each of fennel, cardamom, coriander and rose to hot water and infuse for 5-7 minutes. Strain, leave to cool and sip to stay hydrated while the cool qualities of these spices calm your system.
Greet the sun, feel your feet on the grass
When the sun is just up, head outside and acknowledge it by taking a few minutes to acknowledge its presence. As you do, let your bare feet ground into the cool dewy grass.
Savour cooling foods
Even in summer, it’s best not to overdo it on cold salads and loads of icy drinks, but incorporating foods considered to have cooling properties is ideal. Things like cucumber, coconut, mint, dates, figs, green beans, and lettuce are all considered to have a cooling quality and are good to eat more of in summer.