5 Ayurvedic Tips for Summer

Summer is here, and with it, a smile on our faces along with balmy evenings in the outdoors, long sunny days swimming in a lake and perhaps a holiday by the beach. Along with all the joys of summer, the increased temperatures can also cause heat-induced fatigue and lethargy. Here are 5 tips to help you enjoy the Pitta period:

1. Cooling breathing exercise: Sitali Pranayama

On hot days strenuous activities such as jogging are not recommended. Instead, try some yoga poses that are suitable for summer such as Sitali Pranayama. This breathing exercise cools your whole body and also promotes inner peace and relaxation.

Here's how you do it:

• Sit up straight - cross-legged or in a chair - open your mouth slightly, stick out your tongue and curl it lengthwise into a tube. If you can't do this, place your tongue behind your teeth on the roof of your mouth.
• Now breathe in through your mouth and visualise guiding the cooling breath into your abdomen.
• Then breathe out slowly through your nose. Repeat several times.

2. Coconut oil for your morning ritual

To really enjoy hot summer days, start your morning ritual very early and take advantage of the still-cool morning air. Brush your teeth with bitter toothpaste as soon as you get up. Next, clean your tongue with a tongue scraper and rinse your mouth with cooling coconut oil. Finally, drink a glass of water. Now your day can get going!

3. Wear loose clothing

Wearing loose clothing in summer helps the body stay cool. Clothes made of cotton and silk are particularly suitable. Avoid colours such as red, orange and intense yellow as they stimulate Pitta.

4. Drink plenty of fluids

Your body needs plenty of extra fluids in the summer to compensate for the loss of water through sweating due to increased temperatures. However, as tempting as they may seem, avoid iced drinks. Jeera water (cumin water) at room temperature is a great option. Add 1 tablespoon of cumin to 750 ml water and bring to the boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Strain and let it cool. Drink throughout the day as desired.

Puree quarter of a watermelon along with a sprig of fresh mint leaves and enjoy as a drink. Watermelons are mostly water and are particularly delicious and beneficial in summer.

5. Reduce Pitta

Summer is all about the Pitta dosha. Bitter and green vegetables such as artichokes are suitable for keeping Pitta in balance. Fresh herbs and seasonal fruit are also great in summer. Avoid acidic foods such as tomatoes and spicy foods as well as salt.

The team at Ayurveda101 wishes you a wonderful summer!