It's still summer in New York, and maybe it feels like summer on your side of the world as well. For some people, heat brings with it discomfort such as headaches, skin redness, increased sweating, burning indigestion, and hemorrhoids. Ayurveda offers rituals that help us adapt to the changing seasons better. For example, cooling and soothing rituals for summer allow many of us to navigate the heat in a way that's kind to our bodies.
If you find it hard to beat the heat then these rituals might bring relief:
Stay out of the sun between 10AM to 2 PM:
This is the peak time when the sun’s heat is most intense. Staying out of the sun during this time can help regulate our body temperature. I know this sounds intuitive! But reminding ourselves and consciously planning our day around this as much as we can is important. If you do have to step out in this heat, as I sometimes do for my dog, wear a hat!
Use a spritz:
This is magic! Rose water has wonderful cooling properties, and there are many options on Amazon. Mix ½ part rosewater and ½ part filtered water in a small spritz bottle (preferably a glass bottle like this one). Carry it with you and spritz or mist a little on your face. It feels refreshing, all natural and is easy to use!
Choose cooling food items:
Every food has a post-digestive effect on our body, known as ‘virya’. Some foods are cooling while others are warming. To help our body stay cooler, we can opt for more cooling food items, especially for lunch when the heat is at its peak. Here are examples of some food items to eat more of and some to limit (though not eliminate):
Foods to eat more of (cooling): Barley, millets, oats, olive oil, sweet and ripe fruits (such as apples, cantaloupe, strawberries, raspberries), maple syrup and most vegetables.
Foods to limit (warming): Mustard, chilies, hot peppers, raw onion, radishes, ginger, sour fruits such as oranges, oils (such as sesame, peanut, and safflower), fermented foods (e.g., sauerkraut and kimchi) and vinegar.
Get an Ayurvedic consultation:
If you are looking to improve your gut health or digestion, I am offering discounted prices on Ayurvedic consultations. Check out my website for more information and if you have any questions, drop me a note at hello@deeplysimple.info
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