STAY COOL THIS SUMMER

Keeping Cool This Summer –
An Ayurvedic Perspective

Summer gifts us long days, warmth and beautiful sunshine. Yet according to Ayurveda, summer asks for more than simply enjoying the weather - it invites us to live in harmony with it.

As the heat around us increases, so too can the fire within.

In Ayurveda, summer is naturally associated with Pitta - the principle responsible for transformation, metabolism, intelligence, intensity and heat.
In balance, Pitta gives us sharp digestion, clear thinking, enthusiasm and vitality.
But when accumulated excessively, heat begins to show itself in subtler ways.

You may notice:
skin sensitivity, flushing or breakouts; burning, red or tired eyes; loose digestion; acidity; feeling unusually impatient, driven, critical, frustrated or mentally “full”.

Summer does not necessarily ask us to cool the body aggressively. Instead, Ayurveda encourages us to protect inner moisture and soften excess intensity.

Here are a few ways to do that.

Favour foods that cool without extinguishing digestion

One of the most misunderstood ideas is that cooling does not mean cold.

Ice, frozen drinks and excessive refrigeration may temporarily cool the mouth while leaving digestion feeling sluggish and thirsty later.

Instead, choose foods that are naturally hydrating and gentle:

🧊 cooked courgette, asparagus and leafy greens
🧊 sweet potatoes and carrots
🧊 ripe pears, figs, grapes and berries
🧊 fresh herbs
🧊 soft dairy if tolerated, such as cottage cheese, fresh mozzarella or buttermilk

Reduce excessive heat from:
🔥 very spicy meals, aged cheeses, heavily fried foods and excess salt, pickles, alcohol, caffeine, carbonated drinks

Eat with regularity

Summer often makes us eat later, snack more and skip meals.

Ayurveda traditionally views this as quietly aggravating heat.

A simple, nourishing lunch and a lighter evening meal often feel surprisingly refreshing during warmer months.

Keep hydration gentle

Hydration is not simply about quantity.

Drink steadily throughout the day rather than suddenly consuming large amounts.

Water at cool or room temperature may feel more satisfying than iced drinks.

If you enjoy variety, try:
🧊 fresh mint infusion
🧊 coriander seed water
🧊 coconut water
🧊 diluted lassi/ buttermilk

Protect the eyes - the seat of heat (Pitta)

Ayurveda considers the eyes especially sensitive during summer.

When heat accumulates, the eyes are often among the first places to feel it.

Simple rituals can help:
🧊 pause and soften your gaze into the distance
🧊 rinse the face with cool water
🧊 reduce intense evening screen exposure
🧊 spend time near water or greenery
🧊 mist your face with rose water

For deeper care, try an ayurvedic eye treatment (akshi tarpana) - special Ayurvedic treatment that provides relaxation to eyes, cools, improves the eyesight and cools down the whole body!

Move in a way that leaves energy behind

Summer is rarely the season to push.

Exercise should leave you clearer, not depleted.

Choose movement that feels expansive rather than forceful:

🧊 swimming
🧊 slower yoga practice (camel, cobra, warrior, half moon, fish, pigeon and bridge poses)
🧊 walking in nature (barefoot on grass; in the forest)
🧊 gentle cycling
🧊 stretching at sunrise or early evening

The aim is not to sweat more, but to preserve vitality.

Cool the mind as intentionally as the body

Heat does not only live in the skin.

Over-planning, rushing, multitasking and striving can create their own kind of internal warmth.

Try creating moments of softness:
🧊 pause between tasks
🧊 enjoy unhurried meals
🧊 spend time outdoors without a goal
🧊 watch the sky change colour in the evening

One beautiful yogic practice for summer is left nostril breathing, traditionally used to invite calmness and a quieter state of mind.

When feeling heavy in your head, try an ayurvedic head massage . It is a simple yet very effective stress releasing therapy. It helps to reduce stress and fatigue, increase mental clarity, and to rejuvenate and relax.

A small evening ritual

Before bed, massage a little lavender oil into the soles of the feet, wash the face with cool water, apply rose water cotton pads on the eyes and allow yourself a few quiet minutes before sleep.

Simple rituals repeated consistently often do more than dramatic interventions.

Summer is not a season to conquer.

It is a season to enjoy, soften into and move through with a little more ease.

Wishing you a balanced, joyful and beautifully cooling summer ☀️