Stay Cool this Summer with Āyurveda

For those of us with more fire in our constitution, (pitta ) and those in perimenopause, and menopause, the shift into late Spring and Summer heat can be challenging. Symptoms like

• hot flashes

• heavy periods

• acidity, nausea or "sour" stomach

• loose stools and diarrhea

• skin rashes

• irritability

• headaches

can start to show up.

If you have a predominance of pitta in your constitution, or you're a woman in mid life, you've probably experienced some of these symptoms, especially when temperatures rise.

Seasonal transitions, as well as life-stage shifts require our body to adapt to the changing environment. Āyurveda offers guidelines in diet, lifestyle and herbal allis to support us through these environmental changes. Here are some simple ways you can stay cool and moist this season.

1. Cool from the inside out:

   1. Eat lighter, easy to digest, seasonal foods. Digestive strength lessens as temperatures rise. The body, in an effort to stay cool, pushes excess heat from the center to the surface. Less heat at the center means less digestive strength. Cooked vegetables with whole grains, salads at room temperature with good quality oils, less heavy foods like wheat and dairy (enjoy them mid day when digestion is strongest)

   2. Stay hydrated with herbalized waters. Try cucumber slices, water melon, mint or coriander seeds in your water (You can boil 1 tsp. of coriander seeds in 1 cup of water, or add 1/2 tsp of coriander powder to your cup). Add some other cooling drinks like coconut water, pomegranate juice and hibiscus or mint tea and a pinch of mineral salt to keep electrolytes up (Be mindful of sugar spikes by cutting the pure juice with about equal parts bubbly or flat water).

   3. Stay juicy with seasonal fresh fruit. Berries cherries and plums are especially good. Enjoy a handful of berries or a fruit salad (add a little avocado for more grounding goodness). Pro Note: Fruit digests quickly, so it's great to have 30 -60 minutes before a larger meal. If you're hungry between meals, a little fruit can be a refreshing, hydrating snack. Helpful to digestion to wait 3 hours after your last meal so as not to cause unwanted gas.

   4. Minimize spicy, salty, fermented and fried foods. Alcohol and caffeine will heat you up more now, too.

      
      

2. Cool your skin.

   1. Rub a little organic coconut oil into your skin.

   2. Spritz your skin with rosewater--especially nice around your head and face.

   3. Choose shade or stay indoors during the mid-day sun (10 am – 2 pm). 
      

3. Enjoy exercise in the cooler part of the day.

   1. Anything active is best before 10am or in the cooler part of the afternoon before supper. Skip the noon hot yoga class or heavy work out.

   2. Incorporate a few prone backbends, followed by seated forward bends and twists, to relieve excess heat from the body and support your digestive fire.

   3. Walk in the forest.

   4. Lie under a tree with your legs resting up the trunk instead of a wall.
      

4. Cool your mind

   1. Practice non-doing Meditation: Take a seat or lie down and simply observe what arises without doing for a few minutes. Set a timer.

   2. Practice cooling pranayama: Try 5 rounds of shitali breathing: breath in through puckered lips, and retain while focusing on cooling your brain or another part of your body that feels over heated; exhale through your nostrils. Repeat 5 times anytime you feel hot or edgy.
      

5. Cool your eyes

   1. Rinse your eyes with cool water when you awaken, or use an eye cup and rinse with rose water.

   2. Circle your eyes around in both directions slowly and then close your eyes and draw your eyeballs back in your head. When you open your eyes, allow a wide glance, rather than a hard focus.

   3. Once a week place a drop or two of castor oil in the inner corners of your closed eyes at bed time--open and allow the oil to move in. Rub any excess into your eyebrows. Your eyes will be cooler, moister and refreshed in the morning
      

6. Cool your subtle body

   1. Wear cool colors like blues, greens and white, and natural fibers like cotton, wool and silk.

   2. Sit or walk in the moonlight.

   3. Make moonlight tea (put herbal teabags into a quart of water, and keep out, covered in the moon light to enhance the cooling qualities.
      

Dealing with excess heat symptoms as you navigate peri and post menopause? Need support stabilizing your hormonal balance naturally? Whether you're on HT or not, dialing in your diet, sleep and energy management is part of the solution to adapting with grace, and enjoying your "second spring." Herbal formulas, tailored to your constitution and symptoms can be a wonderful support as well.

I'm trained in Āyurveda and yoga for women's health, including Āyurvedic herbs and the female nervous system. I offer guidance and mentorship for women during this life-stage. Find out how I work here. A conversation is the first step . Schedule a zoom tea date here.

We'll meet for 20 or 30 minutes, and see if this approach would serve you. I learn so much from these conversations. I'd love to talk with you and find out what's going on, whether or not we decide to work together!

"Studying with Shannon has demystified seasonal maladies I experience, some lifelong and others that arose during menopausal changes. I’ve learned ways to read what my body and emotions are signaling to me, and how to provide optimally for myself. I feel more centered and kind with myself, which is a deeply helpful place to approach my goals

I have to tell you that I recently visited my parents and brothers. I usually come unraveled during these visits, but this time, though I felt challenged, I was able to maintain my center, and see them with genuine love. The skills around boundaries and self-kindness I’ve been learning made this possible. I’m so thankful ❤️ I didn’t think it was possible in this lifetime."

JH, age 53, Seattle

Wishing you joy through the Seasons.

xo,

Shannon

#Ayurveda #summertimebalance #digestion #pitta