We’re in the peak of Summer season and we want to do it all. Summer gives us longer days, late nights, afternoon drinks, road trips, festivals, new experiences, and so much more.

Summer time is Pitta time and while it can be a time of fun and adventure, Ayurveda says that like increases like so the heat and sunshine can increase the Pitta qualities in us. The Summer sun stokes the fiery nature of Pitta increasing qualities of sharpness, heat and intensity. Although it is usually people with more Pitta-type tendencies who experience imbalance at this time of year, those who have mostly Vata or Kapha qualities can also develop imbalances with the prickly effects of Summer.

What does excess Pitta look like in the body and mind?

Acid reflux
Skin irritations and rashes
Loose stool
Burning eyes
Feeling easily irritable or angry

Because like increases like, we need to incorporate qualities that have the opposite effect to pacify the excess Pitta. This means:

Cooling foods
Slower paced lifestyle
Keeping the mind calm

Diet:

While it's tempting to have iced drinks and iced lollies, Ayurveda suggests we avoid these as they reduce our digestive power and the movements of fluids in our body, leading to an accumulation of Ama (toxins). Room temperature drinks are better absorbed by the body so you feel hydrated quicker.

Stimulants such as caffeine and fermented drinks such as alcohol and Kombucha can increase Pitta qualities and should be avoided.

Sour foods such as citrus fruits, vinegar, and fermented foods provoke Pitta and should be avoided or consumed in small amounts only. Foods that are excessively salty also aggravate Pitta so should be minimised.

Instead, favour fruits that are sweet, juicy and ripe. Choose vegetables that are cooling (courgettes, sweet potatoes, asparagus) but also bitter, to support the liver (rocket, kale). Season your food with cooling herbs. These are herbs that have a sweet, bitter or astringent taste like coriander, fennel and cardamom.

When preparing food, avoid cooking with vegetable and seed oils as these are inflammatory. Ghee, butter and coconut oil have a cooling effect on Pitta so are the preferred choice.

Although Ayurveda generally recommends to eat cooked meals as they are easier to digest and absorb, Summer months are an exception as the digestive fire is high. So, fresh salads with cooling vegetables like cucumber are a great option.

Lifestyle and stress:

Waking up earlier when the temperature is cooler, is beneficial. We want to stay out of the sun during the hours of 10:00am and 2:00pm when the sun is strongest.

In the peak of the heat, exercise should be avoided to prevent exhaustion. However, if you do want to stay active, choose a cooler time of the day and try some cooling yoga postures such as the moon salutation or Viparita Karani (lie down with your legs facing up against the wall). Twisted yoga poses are good for removing any stagnation in the liver (the main organ of Pitta).

In today’s world, over-working is seen as something of a badge of honour and Summer time brings a busy social calendar too. But over-working can deplete us of vital energy. From a biological perspective, it raises our stress hormones (adrenalin and cortisol). While this is fine for short periods of time, if over-working becomes a habitual pattern, it will start to take a toll on the body and mind. Sustained raised cortisol will impact your immune system, your digestive system and even your menstrual cycle among other things. The Ayurvedic perspective is that over-exertion whether this is physical or mental, particularly with people with high Pitta tendencies or in Pitta season, burns up our energy reserve and leaves us vulnerable to inflammation – a pretty similar view.

As this season is associated with Pitta, you may find that frustration, irritation and anger can easily be triggered. These can add to keeping our stress hormones raised.

Actionable tips:

Schedule in time out to relax.
Take breaks during your working hours.
If possible, try to get the majority of your work done in the cooler times of the day.
Eat in a calm environment, away from the computer or screens in general.
Try meditation – remember this does not only mean sitting cross-legged with your eyes closed. It can also look like a leisurely stroll through the park, listening to music, stopping for a tea break. Just some shut-down time.
Try Sheetali breathing exercise - inhale through the mouth with your tongue rolled and sitting slightly outside the mouth, then exhale with your mouth closed through your nose.
Use cooling coconut oil to massage into your skin. Self-massage (Abhyanga) has a soothing effect on the mind and body. Coconut oil is moisturising enough to stop your skin from drying out with the heat but not too greasy.