Summer is Pitta season according to Ayurveda, an ancient holistic healing system. Pitta, one of the three doshas or constitutions in Ayurveda, is characterized by the qualities of oiliness, sharpness, heat, light, movement, fluidity, and acidity.

Because of the sun’s intensity during the summer months, it is easy to become overheated and experience skin-related problems, such as sunburn and rashes.

Excessive heat can also manifest as exhaustion, anger, jealousy, and impatience. To balance these forces, Ayurveda recommends practices and food choices to balance pitta’s fiery intensity.

Here are five (5) tips to help you stay cool this summer:

Tip #1: Rise with the Birds

Exercise early in the day when it’s cooler, preferably before 7 AM. Take advantage of early morning yoga classes on the beach or in a nearby park, or use the early morning time for a quiet practice at home. When you do exercise, aim for 50-70% of your capacity so as not to become overheated and fatigued.

If you have to exercise later in the day, choose a leisurely walk in the evening or practice restorative poses, like Legs Up the Wall (Vipariti Karani). Restorative yoga before bed has the added benefit of setting you up for a restful night’s sleep.

Tip #2: Hydrate

Citrus fruits, melons, and other sweet fruits are hydrating and cooling. According to Ayurveda, summer is the time to focus on foods that are sweet, bitter, and astringent in flavor. Indulge in summer fruits, such as berries and peaches, as a refreshing snack or try adding them to your water. There are lots of combinations to try, but experiment with seasonal fruits and herbs like watermelon, lemon, lime, raspberries, cucumber, thyme, and mint.

While you might be tempted to add lots of ice, don’t. Icy foods can be shocking to your digestive system, especially when you are overheated. Aim for cool and refreshing. Fortunately, there are lots of great summer fruits to enjoy.

Tip #3: Refresh with Cooling Summer Scents

Don’t you just love the fragrance of summer roses? Light, cool, and so refreshing! Ayurveda recommends using rose water (available in your local health food store) for its cooling, calming effect on both the body and mind. Try spritzing some on your face, pulse points, or neck when you feel overheated or agitated.

Other summer-friendly, cooling scents are jasmine, mint, chamomile, sandalwood, and lavender. You can make your own body oil by adding 15-20 drops of essential oil to 4 ounces of fractionated coconut oil. Use the oil as a body lotion after bathing to hydrate your skin.

While you’re at it, use your fragrant body oil to treat yourself to a soothing bedtime foot massage. To prevent oily sheets, follow your foot massage with a brief foot soak in warm (not hot) water. What a wonderful way to soothe hot, tired feet!

Tip #4: Practice Poses for Your Belly

Our digestive fire is particularly strong during summer but can become overheated, making us irritable and impatient. One way to keep cool during hot, humid days and release any excess internal heat is to practice poses that wring out the abdominal area, such as twists and my personal favorite, Cat-Cow Pose (Cakravakasana).

Cakravakasana is a flowing version of Cat-Cow that benefits your spine and digestion. It can also have a calming effect on your nervous system. Practice Cakravakasana before bed or in the cool, early morning hours. Then get out there and enjoy the summer sun!

Tip #5: Get Enough Rest

It’s so tempting on summer nights when it doesn’t get dark until late, to stay up watching TV.  Ayurvedic wisdom, however, advises that it is best to go to sleep by 10 PM to avoid over-stimulating your mind.

Struggle to fall asleep? Try lying on your right side so you breathe more through your left nostril. This activates the lunar pathway in the left nostril, which is calming and cooling. Sweet dreams!

I hope these tips help you make the most of the long, luxurious days of summer. For Ayurvedic tips on summer eating, read “Beat the Heat: Ayurvedic Tips for Summer  Eating.”

Be well!

original 7/26/21; updated 6/23/23

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