Summer has arrived! Do you adore extended stretches of bright sunshine? Well, perhaps you can’t get enough of the scorching summer heat. Or do you fear the summer heat and go to great lengths to avoid it?
Summer, like all the other seasons, has its own unique personality. Summer may boost your internal sense of harmony or intensify one of your intrinsic characteristics, depending on your physique.
When the summer heat intensifies, a warm-natured individual living in a cool climate may enjoy the winter season but will feel hotter than most – to the point of discomfort.
Someone who never seems to be able to stay warm throughout the winter months, on the other hand, will have the exact opposite experience: lengthy, frigid winters will be a challenge, and this person will enjoy the heat of summer. Seasons, on the other hand, do not have to be a constant source of fear and joy.
Summer: The Pitta Season
Summer’s most prominent characteristics are obviously light, heat, long days of bright sun, sharp intensity, and the season’s transforming nature—which are all in line with pitta dosha and why summer is referred to as a pitta season.
Summer is also considered dry because, despite the fact that some areas are unusually humid at this time of year, the cumulative effect of severe heat dries things up. Summer is a time of growth and motion, which are attributes associated with the vata dosha.
A summer seasonal routine aims to promote healthy eating and lifestyle habits that will aid in the prevention of disease.
Summer Activity and Exercise
Summer can drive you to enhance your physical fitness, and it’s a terrific time to be active if you exercise at the right times and at the right intensity.
Exercise is quite hot and should be avoided during the hottest part of the day, especially between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Therefore, go for a run first thing in the morning, when the air is fresh and chilly.
It’s also necessary not to overwork yourself. If possible, exercise at roughly 50–70% of your maximum capacity while breathing through your nose the entire time.
Summer Season Yoga
Pitta is hot and fierce; you may soothe pitta’s tendencies by simply modifying your yoga practice throughout the pitta season. Allow relaxed effort to guide your routine: move slowly, freely, and gracefully, keeping the look calm and the breath steady. Yoga should foster compassion, acceptance, relaxed effort, and be cooling in nature for a pitta person.
Yoga is a great fitness and spiritual practice to include in your everyday routine to help you balance your body. Although many yoga poses or asanas are good for each of the doshas, it is your approach and the way you practice the pose that has the greatest impact on balancing your dosha.
Make sure you’re not overworking yourself in your practice. Instead of becoming rigid in the poses, focus on developing a sense of groundedness and movement. Since the solar plexus is prone to heat retention, practice asanas that soothe, tighten, and wrench out the abdominal region, as well as poses that are self-referential and gentle.
You can do individual poses or a sequence of them below to pacify pitta:
Cat-Cow
Also known as: Marjaryasana-Bitilasana
Uses: Improves spinal flexibility, reduces back pain (particularly in the shoulders and neck), and warms the abdomen.
Cobra
Also known as: Bhujangasana
Uses: Massages the abdominals and pelvic region, strengthens the muscles of the back, stretches the spine, opens the chest, and opens the shoulders.
Half Boat
Also known as: Ardha Navasana
Uses: Strengthens the muscles of the back and abdominals as well as the Agni.
Child's Pose
Also known as: Balasana
Uses: Massages the abdomen and pelvic organs, stretches the spine and back muscles, and calms the nervous system.
Standing Forward Fold
Also known as: Uttanasana
Uses: Increases hamstring and spine flexibility, soothes and cools the mind, improves digestion, lowers the heart, and feeds brain cells.
Mountain
Also known as: Tadasana
Uses: Increases focus and improves concentration.
Moon Salutation
Also known as: Chandra Namaskar
Uses: Warms and stretches the entire body while calming the mind. All of the body’s systems are brought into equilibrium.
Bridge
Also known as: Setu Bandha Sarvangasana
Uses: Increases spine flexibility, enhances endocrine and neurological system function, and aids in the balance of the reproductive system and gastrointestinal tract.
Corpse
Also known as: Savasana
Uses: Allows your body to integrate your yoga practice while also releasing physical and emotional tension.
To center your energy and assimilate the benefits of practicing yoga, always end your practice with a few minutes in Savasana (Corpse Pose).
Summer Herbs
The summer season brings hot weather, sweaty clothes, and dull days. It can cause various problems for your skin, health, and mind. According to Ayurveda, summer is the pitta season, a period when feelings of heat and intensity are heightened in the body.
You will need these herbs to get through the hot and dry summer ahead.
Mint
Summertime isn’t complete without mint. There is nothing better than the refreshing scent of freshly grown mint in summer. Although there are thousands of types of mint, spearmint and peppermint are probably the most popular.
It helps digest food, regulates the body’s temperature, and relieves nausea and vomiting symptoms. Additionally, it is an excellent antioxidant and helps with allergies, colds, indigestion, ulcers, and rashes. The best way to enjoy mint is to add it in a bunch to a jar of cold water and enjoy.
Chamoline
Chamomile tea is very popular these days. Do you know why?
Chamomile flowers that resemble daisies can treat anxiety and sleep disorders. As well as helping to relieve stress and anxiety, chamomile also cures various health problems.
Dried chamomile can also be beneficial. Chamomile tea or tea concoction soothes the hair and skin. You can also use chamomile in food for digestive conditions, bloating, and belching.
Indian Gooseberry
Amla has earned a following throughout the globe as a “superfruit.” for its high amount of Vitamin C and detoxifying properties.
During the summer months, you can treat multiple skin and body ailments with the nourishing properties of Indian gooseberry. In addition to removing excess heat from the body, regular consumption helps cool down the digestive system for better digestion. Furthermore, vitamin C is excellent for the skin, providing a great source of nourishment.
You can eat gooseberries, use them in juices, or make curries with them.
Basil
The herb basil pacifies pitta and is an adaptogen. It is one of the oldest herbs and has anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, anti-aging, and anti-bacterial properties.
The supplement promotes a strong immunity, cleanses the skin from the inside, regulates hormones, controls blood sugar levels, supports liver function, feeds the gut flora, and heals the body.
Basil leaves can aid in fighting nausea, vomiting, stress, and anxiety in the morning while improving general well-being.
Shatavari
Shatavari is an herb that revitalizes men and women alike (Asparagus racemosus). As an Ayurvedic molecular structure builder, Shatavari supports the immune system, a radiant complexion, energy, vitality, and virility.
Also, Shatavari is an unctuous herb that relieves the dryness that occurs from excessive heat. Shatavari does not allow the body or skin to dry out over the summer, which sets the stage for vata to become more aggravating in the approaching cold and dry winter. Its cooling properties provide relief from the summer heat.
In Ayurvedic medicine, Shatavari is revered for its ability to maintain healthy epithelia and healthy inner skin. This includes the lining of the intestines, stomach, lungs, and kidneys.
Ideal Summer Foods
With the rising temperature, the burning sun has the capacity to completely exhaust us. We are simply putting ourselves at high risk by neglecting this. Heatstroke, acidity, electrolyte loss, and poor energy are all hazards that must be mitigated with proper nutrition when the mercury rises and appetite drops. Many people become dehydrated during the summertime, and poor energy is another indication of being affected.
Nutritionists regularly recommend eating light and the correct kind of food to beat the heat during the summer. We can combat the harmful effects of summer by eating well and making certain lifestyle modifications. Here is a list of foods that you should include in your diet to avoid the impacts of the summer heat.
Fruits to Enjoy in Summer
Mangoes | Pineapples |
Papayas | Oranges |
Melons | Apricots |
Apples | Plums |
Blueberries | Peaches |
Strawberries | Blackberries |
Grapefruit | Tomatoes |
Vegetables to Enjoy in Summer
Cucumbers | Eggplant |
Bell peppers | Green Leafy Veggies |
Carrots | Mushrooms |
Zucchini | Shallots |
Okra | Pumpkins |
Green Beans | Bitter Gourds |
Summer Skin Care
Do you suffer from inflammation and irritation of the skin? Possibly you’ve always had the extremely sensitive skin-the kind that burns in a matter of minutes, or breaks out in hives in response to seemingly minor exposure to foreign substances.
- Sunscreen and Skin Cancer
Get enough vitamin D while protecting your skin against harmful UV rays. Discover how to find the best sunscreen and keep your skin healthy.
- Calming Pitta-Imbalanced Skin
Rashes, acne, and flushed skin are common symptoms of Pitta imbalance during the summer months. Amalaki is a cooling herb that supports elasticity and youthfulness in hot, pitta skin.
Find out more about your dosha by visiting our blog, Three pillars of life in Ayurveda
- Keep Your Skin in Great Shape
The inner and outer skin both function as complex and hard-working detox organs, which help relieve the liver of some of the burden of detoxing. During detoxification, the lymphatic system, liver, kidney, and skin are all working together to remove toxic substances.
In addition, both the inner and outer skin is home to trillions of beneficial bacteria, which perform most of the body’s functions. In turn, these “good bugs” produce immune-boosting fatty acids that nourish, protect, and maintain the skin, giving it a brilliant luster and healthy glow. Maintaining these “good bugs” with the proper seasonal foods and high-quality prebiotics and probiotics supports the health of the skin.
An Ayurvedic approach to preserving optimal skin health consists of assessing and supporting sound internal health, nourishing the beneficial microbes that live on the skin, supplying the skin with oils that moisturize while feeding the skin’s healthy bugs, and regularly cleansing and detoxing the skin. Follow some natural ways to keep your skin away from tan.
Summer Digestion
Is it true that the summer months may bring digestive issues? Know why stomach problems are more common in the summer and how to avoid them with these simple tips.
Summer may be enjoyable for some, but it is not for everyone, since some people suffer from digestive health difficulties throughout this season! Summer can bring on several intestinal problems. It is observed that when the days are hotter, dehydration, heat exhaustion, stroke, abdominal pain, gastroenteritis, heartburn, acidity, constipation, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), diarrhea, food poisoning, and loss of appetite are some of the significant symptoms happen throughout the summer. When the temperature rises, one’s digestive system may slow down and become weak. You may also experience bloating, nausea, and exhaustion.
Here is how you can improvise your digestive health
5 Tips to Improve Your Stomach & Digestion Problems
1. Consume nutritious foods
Take note of your regular diet this summer because everything you consume will affect your digestive health. Eat stomach-friendly foods that will hydrate you, such as green vegetables, tomatoes, apples, watermelon, cucumber, coconut water, and pineapple. Doctors also recommend that you include fresh fruits, vegetables, beans, whole grains, and pulses in your diet.
2. Stay hydrated
Never allow yourself to dehydrate. It is necessary to be hydrated in order to keep your body functioning properly. To avoid dehydration, drink plenty of water. This will aid in balancing the loss of body fluids caused by heat, as well as resolving digestive problems by improving nutrient absorption. You can also stay hydrated by drinking coconut water. It may enable you to efficiently combat the heat.
3. Avoid oily and spicy foods
Spicy meals produce heat, which can cause stomach problems. So stay away from spicy, fried, and junk foods, which might cause stomach pains. Acidity, bloating, and even stomach inflammation are all risks associated with these foods. As a result, pizza, pasta, fries, burgers, bakery items, Chinese food, and chips should be limited in the summer months.
4. Take probiotics
Consider taking probiotics, which, according to doctors, contain gut-friendly microorganisms and can help with digestion. Probiotics, in addition to fiber, are essential for digestive health. Yogurt is the best food source of probiotics, thus including it in your diet can be beneficial.
5. Exercise regularly
Exercise on a regular basis to improve your digestion and general health. Yoga, Tai Chi, deep breathing exercises, and walking are all excellent ways to be active during the summer months.
Check out blog on summer digestion-solutions to improve
General Recommendations for Pitta Season
Keeping pitta balanced during the hot months will require remaining cool, relaxing, and centering your energy. It may also be beneficial to learn to spot early indicators of pitta imbalance so that you can address them promptly if they occur.
Summer, on the other hand, has some clearly vata features, so remain hydrated, promote stability, and balance vata’s inherent expansiveness and mobility with quiet, restorative activities.
During the summer, the following pitta recommendations are appropriate for most persons.
Preferably, wake up between 5-7 a.m. In the summer, getting up early is a good habit to get into. To flush your digestive system, scrape your tongue and drink plenty of water (especially better if it’s cool/room temperature with lime or mint).
After eating, go for a short stroll or at least 100 steps to promote proper digestion.
Take a short nap to rest the mind on exceptionally hot days if you feel lethargic, worn down, or drained in the afternoon (under 30 minutes).
The pitta time of night is from 10:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m., and it is vital to nap during this time since the action now takes place within you; it is the time of internal purification. If you stay up during this crucial period, you will miss out on the benefits of this cleansing period.
You can find harmony and balance within yourself by adjusting your inner landscape to match the changing seasons.