Cooling Down: Five Ayurvedic Tips for Managing Pitta in Summer

With the hot months of summer upon us, it’s important to balance the fire element in your body. In Ayurveda, our body is composed of five elements: water, fire, earth, wind, and space. Each person has a unique mix of these elements, and when fire is predominant, a person is identified as having a predominantly pitta dosha.

Pitta is the dosha, or energetic makeup, which includes mostly fire and a little water. When balanced, pitta is an excellent source of transformative power. It transforms food into energy within the body, controlling digestion, metabolism, and the overall production of cellular energy. It’s where our mental clarity, joyfulness, vitality, and intellect come to fruition.

In the summer months, excessive hot temperatures can cause individuals with fire in their constitution to become out of balance, as well as increase the fire element in all individuals. Things like excessive heat, hot spicy foods, prolonged fasting, processed foods, judgment/criticism, alcohol, and too much caffeine all contribute to bringing pitta out of balance. When there is too much fire, it can lead to workaholic tendencies, headaches, controlling personality, heartburn, skin rashes or problems like psoriasis, diarrhea, and emotional sensitivity.

To bring pitta back into balance and experience the benefits of a balanced body and mind, here are five tips:

1. Eat a pitta-pacifying diet– What you eat is especially important for your health during the hot summer months. The tastes that balance pitta are sweet, bitter, and astringent. Examples of sweet foods include ghee, milk, bananas, watermelon, cucumber, garbanzo beans, and almonds. Bitter foods include dark leafy greens like dandelion greens, arugula, or kale, and eggplant. Astringent foods are things like apples, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, most raw vegetables, and most beans.
2. Slow down– The fire element keeps us moving and fuels our energy. Our bodies can get used to feeling stressed and start to crave a hard workout or a competitive game when what it really needs is a nice restorative yoga routine or a simple gentle walk in nature. Even when we feel like we have so much energy, it’s better to take a minute to slow down.
3. Avoid direct sunlight during peak hours– It’s best to avoid the sun from 10 am to 2 pm when it’s strongest. If you want to work out outside, do it in the early morning or late evening hours. The fire from the sun will increase the fire element in your body and can lead to overexertion. If you must work in the sun, be sure to wear a hat, drink more water than you think you need, and take frequent breaks.
4. Practice mindfulness– When you rise in the morning, take a moment to notice your thoughts. If you find yourself being overly critical or judgmental of yourself, see if you can check the facts to determine if these thoughts are true. If not, find an alternative statement or a better-feeling thought to counteract these inaccurate scripts running in your mind and repeat them every time the negative thought enters your mind again.
5. Protect your eyes– Pitta imbalance can affect the eyes, making them sensitive to light and causing irritation. Wear sunglasses with UV protection to shield your eyes from the sun’s glare and reduce strain.

By taking these steps to balance the fire element within, you can enjoy the transformative power of a balanced pitta dosha. Not only will you feel more vibrant and clear-minded, but you’ll also mitigate the negative effects of the summer heat, leading to a more harmonious and joyful season. Remember, maintaining balance is key to overall health and well-being.