by Sun & Moon teacher & guest blogger Cindy Wargo
The heat of summer is here, and it's only getting hotter. Now's the time to start taking steps to relieve the heat that may be causing havoc to our physical and emotional selves. If we hold on to the heat, we find ourselves with an over-abundance of pitta energy, or the fire element in Ayurveda. Too much pitta can cause us to feel irritable, judgmental, critical, quick to anger, and even depressed when things are not being done to our satisfaction. Left unchecked, too much pitta can also cause heartburn, skin rashes, acne flare ups, and other kinds of inflammation. Cooling down and staying calm becomes essential during this time of year.
Below are six ayurvedic tips for balancing out the summer heat. We'll be talking about these things and much MORE in Beat the Heat: Ayurveda for the Hot Ones, this Sunday, July 31 at 2p (hybrid with recording available.)
1. Exercise during the cool times of the day. Exercising in the heat of the day just makes a bad situation worse. It’s just too much heat for our bodies. You may also consider doing a lighter form of exercise, like power walk instead of run, or slow down your bike ride so you’re never feeling overheated.
2. Avoid spicy foods. Just like you don’t want to add heat to the body with exercise, don’t add heat with food either during this time of the year. You may also want to avoid fried food and grilled food. These methods are believed to over-heat the food making it more difficult to digest. Instead stick to food that was “cooked” on the vine, such as fresh salads and juicy fruits.
3. Avoid alcohol and other fermented foods and beverages. Since fermentation is super-heating for the body, opt for cooling drinks instead like cucumber-infused water, or blended watermelon.
4. Spend the evening relaxing. Summer is meant for lazy days. Soak in the pool, read a novel, go for a leisurely walk after a light dinner. Do anything that encourages conscious winding down and keeping calm.
5. Try Abhyanga, an Ayurvedic self-massage, with coconut oil. Abhyanga is a time-tested tool for bring consciousness into the body and practicing self-love. Add the coconut oil, and your skin will feel soft and hydrated in addition to smelling great! While you’re at it, add a teaspoon of coconut oil to your daily diet, too. Extra fats can keep the heat from drying us out, so we use them inside and out.
6. Practice yoga in a way that promotes calm. Practice in a non goal-oriented way, and only work at about 75% of your capacity. This is not the time of year to push yourself. Allow your focus to settle on being calm, effortless, grounded, easy, and comfortable while in each pose. Your practice should leave you feeling calm, cool, and relaxed. There are lots of restorative and yin options on our regular summer schedule here at Sun & Moon!