Late summer comprises the most fiery moments of a season that is already ruled by the fire element.
You may notice that things start to feel a little extra spicy. Heat has been building for months, which means pitta has likely accumulated in the body. As a result, you may notice an increase in the pitta-type challenges, such as:
Skin irritations
Redness
Inflammation
Irritability
Sensitive digestion
Nausea
Headaches
and/or fatigue
If late summer has you experiencing any of these challenges, follow these tips to get yourself back on track.
1. Hydrate Between* Meals
Sip herbal sun tea in the afternoon. Cooling herbs like rose, mint, cilantro, cardamom, marshmallow, hibiscus, and/or fennel will taste great.
Coconut water, pomegranate juice, aloe juice, electrolyte water with salt + lime juice are all soothing summer drinks.
Cut back on the coffee, and make sure to double down on drinking water before ingesting any form of caffeine (to counter any potential for dehydration).
*Drinking too much liquid during meals can dilute digestive enzymes (i.e. dampen digestive fire) and lead to indigestion and bloating.
2. Slow Down
Give yourself permission to relax — read, journal, or listen to calming meditation for at least 20 minutes each day. Down time is key to the rejuvenation that enables us to feel steady energy throughout the week.
Prioritize rest. Take a short afternoon nap (only in summer!) or lay down and listen to a meditation. Make sure to get a minimum of 8 hours of sleep each night to maintain immunity and mental clarity.
Remind yourself that you don’t have to do it all. Practice saying “no” to commitments that don’t give you life, de-prioritize tasks that aren’t necessary, and remember that your best is good enough. This is one of the most effective ways to prevent burnout.
3. Stay Cool
Spritz yourself with rose water throughout the day to calm the skin and the mind.
Exercise in the morning (before the pitta time of day begins at 10am). Choose movement practices that are cooling, heavy, slow, and dense — like moderate hiking, swimming, weight lifting, yin yoga, Pilates and rock climbing.
When spending time outdoors, bring a hat and make sure you have a shady spot in sight. Prolonged time in direct sunlight can very quickly aggravate pitta and lead to any number of the challenges listed above.
Enjoy fresh fruit in between meals. The sweet taste is cooling and raw fruit eaten between meals digests better than when combined with other foods.
Limit the amount of spicy and salty tastes you consume, as these tastes are heating. Instead, eat more cucumber, avocado, coconut, cilantro, mint, basmati rice, kale, zucchini, sweet potato, asparagus, and fennel.
4. Do a Fall Cleanse
Excess pitta ripens in the body toward the end of summer, and is ready to release at the juncture to Fall. Cleansing during this time is vital so that we do not drive toxins, heat and associated pitta conditions deep into our tissues over the Winter. So be sure to carve out the time NOW for your Fall cleanse. Save your spot in The Reset for Resilience, which happens in October.
The Reset for Resilience is a 28-day program, centered around a five-day detox, that is designed to improve digestion, enhance immunity and promote clarity. This Ayurvedic cleanse for body and mind is the ideal way to support your body to do its best, while inviting you to create meaningful space for inspiration, reflection and restoration. Join the guided group cleanse from the comfort of your own home during the Fall and Spring seasonal transitions — and be led by Sierra and Molly, the Certified Ayurvedic Practitioners of Cultivate Balance.
