Keeping cool in Pitta season

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 can excess Pitta look like in the body and mind?

• Acid reflux

• Skin irritations and rashes

• Loose stool 

• Burning eyes

• Exhaustion/heat stroke

• Migraines

• Styes

• 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

Nutrition:

While it's tempting to have iced drinks and iced lollies, Ayurveda explains that 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 leading to quicker hydration.

Stimulants such as caffeine and fermented drinks like alcohol and Kombucha can increase heat and lead to further dehydration. And it goes without saying, excessive salt can also worsen dehydration.

Sour foods such as citrus fruits, vinegar, and pickled foods provoke Pitta so it’s an idea to take these in small amounts only.

Instead, choose fruits that are sweet, juicy and ripe and vegetables that are cooling (courgettes, sweet potatoes, asparagus) but also bitter, to support the liver (rocket, kale). Seasoning our food with cooling herbs (those with sweet, bitter or astringent tastes) like coriander, fennel and cardamom will support our digestion.

When preparing food, choosing to cook with ghee, butter or coconut oil are the preferred choices as these have a cooling effect on Pitta dosha. They are also not inflammatory as many of the vegetable oils and trans fats are.

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

Lifestyle and stress:

Adjusting our daily routine so that we can get the most out of this season is key. Waking up earlier when the temperature is cooler gives us time to get some work done before the midday sun arrives. In Ayurveda, it is recommended that we stay out of the sun during the hours of 10:00am and 2:00pm when the sun is strongest. This is because we can easily feel depleted.

Similarly, try to arrange any exercises/workouts outside of this midday time to prevent exhaustion. Some ideas for cooling practices include 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 and heat 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 impacts our immune system, digestive system and even our 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 similar view.

Lastly, as this season is associated with Pitta, we might find that we can easily become frustrated, irritated or angry. These emotions can add to keeping our stress hormones raised. From an Ayurvedic perspective, these emotions are linked to our liver where an increase in agitation, anger or hatred can lead to dysfunction in this organ. Modern science confirms this showing that raised cortisol levels have been linked with fatty liver disease because of its role in glucose and lipid regulation that high cortisol throws off balance (increased gluconeogenesis and lipolysis).

Actionable tips:

• Schedule in time out to relax.

• If possible, try to get the majority of work done in the cooler times of the day.

• Stay hydrated! Coconut water or coriander seed infused water (soak seeds in water overnight then strain and drink) are brilliant coolers.

• Eat in a calm environment, away from the computer or screens in general.

• 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.

• A foot massage (Pada Abhyanga) using coconut oil at the end of the day is a lovely way to get grounded but also to help release stored heat from the day.