Everyday Ayurvedic Wisdom for Summer
🌞 Summer = Pitta Season
A Simple Guide to Staying Cool and Balanced over the Summer Months
In Ayurveda, summer is known as Pitta season—a time when heat, intensity, and transformation are at their peak.
Pitta is the fire and water dosha, and while it gives us energy, focus, and digestion, too much can lead to burnout—physically, mentally, and emotionally.
If you’re feeling overheated, irritable, or just “off” in the summer, your Pitta might be out of balance. But don’t worry—Ayurveda offers gentle, natural ways to cool down and stay centered all season long.
And if you are not quite at the stage of feeling overheated or exhausted, now’s the time to implement some simple daily routines to keep the heat at bay. Start now and see how much better you feel as you move through the summer months.
🔥 How to Recognize Too Much Heat (Pitta) in Your System🔥
🔥On the Skin
Red cheeks or flushing
Rosacea, acne, or rashes
🔥Digestion
Acid reflux or burning in the stomach
Loose or urgent stools
Feeling hangry or nauseous if meals are skipped
Bad breath or strong, smelly gas
🔥Other Physical Symptoms
Inflammation or hot flashes
Tension headaches or migraines
Feeling wired at night—getting a second wind instead of winding down
Light or broken sleep
🔥With the Mind and Emotions
Pushing too hard or overworking\
Perfectionism and self-criticism
Irritability and frustration
People-pleasing tendencies
As summer heat rises outside, Pitta increases inside all of us. That’s why it’s so important to balance it with cooling, calming, and soothing practices.
💦 Simple Ways to Cool Pitta 💦
💦 Sip Cooling Herbal Teas
Try mint, rose, hibiscus, or coriander seed
Drink at room temperature or slightly cool—not iced
Add lime to your water (avoid lemon—it’s more heating)
💦Choose Cooling Foods
Avoid or reduce:
Spicy, sour, fried, and fermented foods
Tomatoes, vinegar, hot sauces
Enjoy more:
Sweet: dates, whole grains, dairy (if digestible and in smaller quantities)
Bitter: leafy greens, dandelion, kale
Astringent: bananas, apples, cabbage, green beans
💦Cooling Yoga & Breath Practices
Gentle and restorative yoga
Long, quiet relaxation: Shavasana or Yoga Nidra
Breathing practices:
Nadi Shodhanam (Alternate nostril breath)
Brahmari (Humming bee breath)
Sitali (Cooling breath through curled tongue)
💦Refresh Your Skin and Senses
Spritz face with rose water
Place cucumber slices on the eyes
Use a cold compress on the forehead or neck
Listen to calming sounds: water, birds, mantra chanting
Soak your feet in cold water for a quick reset
💦Take Breaks from Screens - Too much time on screens aggravates Pitta
Take 2–5 minute breathing and visual breaks every hour
Unplug 30–60 minutes before bed
Try audiobooks instead of reading on screens
💦Sync Your Sleep with Nature’s Rhythms
Be in bed by 10 pm (Pitta time starts after that!)
Reduce screen use before bed
Use relaxing poses like Legs up the Wall or Heart Bed (Supta Baddha Konasana) to unwind
Systematic relaxation practices or a yoga nidra practice to release tension and turn inwards
Wake with the sun—early morning hours are cool, calm, and perfect for meditation or gentle movement
When you align your lifestyle with the rhythms of the season, your body and mind begin to feel more at ease. Summer is a time of abundance and energy—but it’s also a time to slow down, soften, and stay cool.
Let your yoga and meditation practices, breath, food, and daily choices be your medicine.
Small changes make a big difference. Choose one or two cooling practices to try this week and notice how your energy shifts.
📸Photo by Jean-Paul Berube @gongcreative