Are you looking for simple, yet wise ways that can help balance out this early, excessively hot summer? As temperatures continue to be unusually hot across our planet we can look to Ayurveda, India’s system of traditional medicine, for some guidance. 

According to Ayurveda, summer is known as “Pitta Season” and is characterized by the fire and water elements and can bring on rising triggers and imbalances of inflammation in our body, mind and emotions. Here are a few “cool” tips for this summer that will help you chill out, feel more calm, energized and balanced in the heat.

•Reduce spicy and oily foods, and add in:

•Sweet, juicy fruits: The sweet taste is one of the most pacifying for our bodies in the summer heat. Stock up on the ripe seasonal berries cherries and watermelon and enjoy alone with breakfast or as a snack.

•Bitter greens: Enjoy leafy greens like kale, arugula and dandelion greens mixed into your salads.

•Cooling herbs: Cilantro, parsley, fennel, and mint are the number one cooling herbs. These can be mixed in with your salads, or make a delicious cooling tea with them. (Once brewed, please cool down before enjoying)

•Coconut: Coconuts are perfect for keeping you cool under heat. You can eat the meat, drink coconut water to replenish electrolytes and even give yourself a coconut oil body massage in the morning (finish with a cool shower).

•Water: Sip plenty of cool (not iced) water (8-10 cups) throughout the day. Get creative and add cucumber, mint, or watermelon for cooling alternatives.

•Spray rose or jasmine water on back of your neck and on your face for a refreshing mist.

•Cold cucumbers, or a slurry mixed with ice water placed over your eyes or all over your face is a favorite when you are needing to take a chill! It feels so refreshing and amazing!! 

•Sitali Pranayama/Cooling Breath Practice: Sitali is used to relax and cool us down and can be used anytime you need to “chill out”. 

•Yoga Asana Practice: Choose postures and movements that are slow and smoothly paced, are gentle in nature, and are low to the ground. This is a great time of year to stay a while longer in Savasana too!

•Meditation Practice:  Start your day by waking up a little earlier, sitting quietly for a few minutes, when the energy is calm and cooler. You will feel it’s calming benefits through-out your day!

•Forest Bathing or Moon-lit Walking: Being in nature and connecting with the cycles is one of the best gifts we can do to support ourselves in keeping calm and peaceful. 

Remember to hydrate. Rest. Hydrate some more! 

Enjoy your summer!