Summer is Pitta season: hot, fiery, with feistiness on the rise!
Pitta is the second of the three doshas (Vata, Pitta, Kapha)
When in balance, Pitta is passionate and charismatic. Characteristics: focused, energetic, driven, and organized.
Elements: fire and water. Governs: metabolism, digestion, and the production of energy.
Pitta goes out of balance when:
- you get overheated
- you are angry
- you’re working too hard
- your diet is comprised of many sour foods
Here are some tips to beat that Summer Pitta Heat:
- Take a cool shower, hit the pool, run through the sprinkler, or bust out the Slip n’ Slide. You can also freeze your bra (or undies/boxers) slumber party style — this is a relatively short-lived cooling mechanism, but it works!
- Drink lots and lots of water. It’ll feel extra refreshing (and spa-like) if you throw in cucumber slices, a lemon or orange wedge, mint, or cherries.
- Eat fresh, juicy, ripe, sweet fruits. Watermelon is summery heaven! You can’t eat it and not smile or feel like a kid again. 😀
- Take a slow, leisurely walk in the moonlight.
- Avoid spicy and sour foods and caffeinated drinks.
- Splash your face and neck with rose water or rub rose oil (i use this one from Weleda) on your pulse points. Rose is calming and cooling.
- Practice Sitali Pranayam, an incredibly cooling, relaxing breath exercise. Your head and heart will feel light and your body will feel so very cool.
- Cater your exercise to the season — practice during the coolest parts of the day.
- Wear light, cool colors: white, lavender, sky blue, baby pink, soft yellow, and other pastels.
- Listen to waterfall, babbling brook, rain, or running water tracks. It’s like letting your brain take a dip in the ocean. 🙂
