10 Tips to Keep Your Cool in the Heat of Summer

With each passing day we are experiencing more hot summers with mercury soaring high. Many health problems like dehydration, fatigue, dizziness, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting are also becoming common with high temperature. Frightening high temperatures can result in heat-related ailments ranging from heat cramps to heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

According to Ayurveda, summer is the season of Pitta, thus it’s important for us to be strong while enjoying the longer days of extended sunlight. We need to keep our choices in mind to balance the Pitta dosha and enjoy the summer.

Ritucharya: Ayurveda's Secrets for Seasonal Guidelines

In the present scenario, with global warming and variation in the advent of season, it can surely be a query, of the importance of “Ritucharya”. Ritu Charya (seasonal routines) is one of the fundamental principles of Ayurveda to cope up with the seasonal effect on our body. Our dietary choices, habits and daily routines should flow with the seasons. Ritu Charya is a simple yet powerful form of regimen to maintain good health.

As per Ayurveda mid-May to mid-July (approximately) is considered as Grishma (summer) season. In this season the strength of the person becomes less and Agni (Digestive fire) of the person will remain in a mild state.

We’ve compiled some tips and our favourite ways to enjoy the summer season. This can be a great time to relax and refresh your mind & body before the hustle and bustle of fall starts up.

The following tips can help you keep calm and cool all summer long.

1. Eat pitta-pacifying foods

According to experts, it is important for us to eat more alkaline and easily digestible foods to fight the heat in our body and keep us cool. As per Ayurveda, food having Madhura (sweet), Snigdha (unctuous), and Sheeta (cold) quality such as rice, lentil, etc, are to be taken. Consuming green vegetables and fruits such as melons, pears, apples, berries, prunes, plums and all green veggies are great for summer.

2. Defeat the heat with a bowlful of healthy salad

The best way to beat the heat is to include fresh, healthy salads in your regular diet. As there is a shortage of fruits and vegetables during summers, you can make a variety of salads according to your taste and preference. Salads are great for summer as they are cooling, light on the stomach and are a big source of nutrients.

3. Avoid heat producing foods in summer

As per Ayurveda, Pitta aggravating foods that are Lavana (salty), Katu (pungent) and Amla (sour) taste and Ushna (warm) foods should be avoided.

They produce heat in your body. Avoids citrus foods, unripe fruits, beetroots, carrots, garlic, chilli, onion, red meat, tomato, salted cheese and sour cream.

4. ​Eat on time to beat the summer heat naturally

Food should be taken around noon when the sun reaches its peak, because at this time the digestive fire and Pitta are also at their peak in our body. So, ideally, the right time for our heaviest meal or lunch should be midday.

5. ​Use body massage oil for summer

Applying sandalwood oil, coconut oil or sunflower oil on your body before taking a bath has a calming, cooling and soothing effect on the skin. They are Pitta Dosha pacifying oils and help to calm the nervous system and cool the body. You can also use essential oils with adorning flowers like jasmine and khus for the summer. These have a soothing aroma and also have cooling properties.

6. Cooling herbal support for Pitta season 

You can use Ayurvedic herbs and spices liberally in your cooking and as cooling garnishes. The pitta pacifying herbs help to maintain a balanced digestive fire without provoking Pitta and in some cases, they are actively cooling. There are several Ayurvedic herbs to take in the summer to support the healthy digestive fire and boost the immunity. Among them are:

• Amalaki
• Brahmi
• Bhumyamalaki
• Guduchi
• Kutki
• Neem
• Shatavari
• Mint
• Green Cardamom

7. Beat the heat with Breathing Exercise 

Exercising every day is a part of a healthy lifestyle and the best time for exercising in summer is early morning. The temperature during this time remains slightly lower than other parts of the day. 

Pranayamas that exactly cools the entire body are Sheetali or Sheetkari (which is soothing or cold). While practicing Sheetali, a cooling energy flows down the whole body like a shower. You can feel the cool air through your tongue and in the back of your throat as the air enters your mouth. 

Practicing Nadi Shodhanam is helpful to regulate the flow of prana in order to keep the inner fire balanced. It creates an even temperature and balances Agni (the fire element).

8. ​Avoid icy water and cold drinks

Sipping down a few sips of cold water from the fridge seems like the most refreshing thing on hot summer days. But health experts do not recommend drinking ice cold water straight from the fridge. Drinking chilled drinks inhibits the digestive fire that is responsible for converting food into energy. This can also lead to accumulated toxins in the body and cause various health issues besides throat infections and stomach ailments.

9. Cooling beverages to reduce body heat immediately

Unlike the company’s soft drinks which are just sweetened carbonated water, Natural cooling drinks carry natural and organic ingredients. So, having natural cooling drinks, you not only hydrate the body, but also nourish yourselves at the same time.

Cool drinks such as water infused with mint or lime, buttermilk, watermelon, lime juice, coconut water, a sweet yogurt drink called lassi, cooling herbal teas such as liquorice, fennel, peppermint, or rose are ideal during the summer months.

10. Lifestyle changes to cool down internal body heat

• Wearing loose-fitting and light colour cotton clothes will keep you cooler
• For a quick refresh, you can spray cool water to your face after being outdoors.
• Fans can help circulate air and make you feel cooler even in an air-conditioned house.
• Try to keep lotions or cosmetic toners in the refrigerator to use on hot, overtired feet.
• Take frequent showers will help you feel energized and invigorated
• Avoid caffeine and alcohol as these will lead to dehydration.
• Sleeping day time is helpful and during night one can enjoy the cooled moon rays with breeze
• Enjoy a rosewater spritz to calm, cool, and refresh your mind.

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