According to ayurveda, the qualities of summer are hot, sharp, and penetrating. That’s why our pitta dosha—the subtle energy that controls metabolism and can cause us to overheat—tends to flare up when the temperatures rise. Pitta-related imbalances include sunburn, hot flashes, exhaustion, acne, and diarrhea. Emotionally, excess pitta can manifest as anger, jealousy, and impatience. Sound familiar? Try the following tips to keep your cool all summer long.

Daily Routines (Dinacharya)

• For 8 minutes daily, breathe slowly in and out through the left nostril. With your right thumb, hold your right nostril closed. Pause at the inhale and exhale. This is cooling and calming.
• Avoid excessive activity during midday heat as it can be draining. Wear light colored clothing, loose cotton, linen to allow air to flow between your clothes and your skin.
• After showering, mix one teaspoon each of organic, unrefined coconut oil and castor oil in a glass bottle with a cap. Place the bottle in hot water until the oil is lukewarm (not hot!). Apply to your whole body to keep your skin supple, soft, and cool.

Eating

• Sweet, juicy fruits like; melons, plums, and peaches
• Reduce or eliminate alcohol and caffeine
• Add digestive spices to your food such as cumin, coriander, fennel and turmeric
• Limit hot, spicy, fermented, salty, oily, fried foods
• Favor all fresh ripe berries, melons, apples, apricots, grapes, peaches, pears, pomegranates and ripe plums
• Favor asparagus, bell peppers, broccoli, cabbage, celery, cilantro, leafy greens, seaweed, snow peas, and summer squash
• Sip cool or room temperature water with cucumber slices or drink coconut water to keep cool and hydrated

Of course, avoiding the heat should not deter one from enjoying the gifts of the summer sun. Being out in nature is a great way to get grounded. “Enjoy the season. Being surrounded by green plants is healing-walking on the grass with bare feet can be very grounding, especially if you tend to get too scattered,” says Hilary. Being near water, of course, is also suggested—swimming is a great way to cool the body (as are regular baths and showers).

Ultimately, the most important thing to remember about the summer is to have fun and stay mindful. The days are longer and usually booked with activities. Enjoy all that the season has to offer, but also observe your habits. Notice how you react to the heat, to the energy created and generated by the season. Celebrate it, but make sure to also get enough rest and take time for self-nourishment. Happy summer!