Maximize your summer health and learn ways to stay calm

Summer, the Pitta Season, has its own personality with its sharp distinct characteristics. Summer is fun, but we often get carried away, lose track of our diet, and fall behind on our everyday lifestyle habits that help us avoid over-accumulation of summer qualities.

Ayurveda recommends that our diet, habits, and routine choices should flow with the seasons. A conscious effort to live in harmony can help us be balanced throughout the year with seasonal changes that our body will naturally adapt to over time.

Some general recommendations for Pitta season – The focus during these hot months should be to stay cool, hydrated, relaxed, and to keep our energy grounded. This will not only help keep the Pitta dosha in balance but will also help Vata’s natural excessive mobility and unrestful activities in control.

Diet – Summer is the best time of year to enjoy fresh fruits and salads along with some sweet dairy products such as milk, butter, ghee, cottage cheese, fresh homemade yogurt, and even ice cream on occasion. Avoid refined sugar and sour unripe fruits along with extremely spicy food which can aggravate Pitta.

It’s easy to beat the heat with iced drinks but its better to avoid them as they disturb the digestive fire and create toxins (ama) in the body. Ayurveda recommends to consume room temperature water that can be infused with mint, lime, fennel, rose, or amla.

Take a break – Along with a good diet and plenty of sleep, it is also important to take breaks, especially during the afternoons in the summer time (Pitta hours of the day). Pause (even if it is for 5 minutes), breathe, have a glass of water, and continue with your day. Pausing for breaks can reduce stress and boost energy and mood. The break is also an opportunity to grab nourishing snacks to support brain function—such as nuts and berries, for additional support you can also use our StressAssist. Legs up on the wall pose is very helpful with blood flow to counter the amount of time we spend standing and sitting. You can also use this time to focus on your breath or meditate.