COOL DOWN THIS SUMMER
HOLISTIC HEALTH COACHING
Our columnist shares some of her favourite ayuredic tricks on how to stay cool this summer
Summer is finally here - and from an ayurvedic perspective that means we are firmly in pitta season. Pitta is one of the three doshas (vata, pitta and kapha), composed from the elements of fire and water. Pitta is hot, sharp and oily. If you are predominantly a vata or kapha type person then you have elements of coldness in your constitution and therefore will likely find that summertime and the warmer weather brings some relief and is a time when you feel bright and energised. If you have a lot of pitta in you however, this time of year can be challenging. The key is to counteract the internal fire within you and the external heat of the higher temperatures with activities, food and lifestyle choices that help you feel cool and calm. Here are my top five tips for doing this ayurvedically this summer:
1 Avoid ice-cream and ice in drinks
I know it feels right to opt for cooler foods and drinks, but according to Ayurveda it is counterproductive as your body produces heat while digesting them. That is why you will find me ordering a cup of tea whilst poolside, to the bemused look of the waiter. Trust me, keep drinks warm or room temperature if you want to produce less heat.
2 Opt for sweet and light foods
By this I mean options such as mangoes, pomegranates, coconut water and grapes. Also avoid heavy or overly sour foods such as chilli, garlic, tomatoes and overdoing it with the alcohol.
3 Spend time in the shade and keep to gentle exercises
Now is not the time to take up extreme sports or overly exert yourself at the gym. If you feel your stress levels rising try practising 10 rounds of shitali pranayama (or cooling breath). Curl your tongue into a tube (or if this is difficult gently close the teeth together with the tongue pressed against the teeth and lips parted open) – inha
