How to Balance Pitta Dosha in Summer

The changing of each season gives us an ongoing opportunity to cultivate awareness around how the environment impacts our physiological and mental state of being. Each season is ruled by one of the ayurveda doshas.

The summer season is ruled by pitta dosha. Pitta is composed of the elements fire and water. Characteristics of pitta are hot, oily, light, spreading, liquid and mobile.

This time of year can be expressed in the body as mental frustration and agitation, low digestive fire, skin irritations and unsettled stomachs. Here are some simple tips to remedy the effects of the pitta season.

• Drink cool (not cold) water with mint or lemon. Try adding coconut water to your daily routine.
• Practice yin yoga (not hot yoga) to help keep the body cool.
• Avoid alcohol, meat, fried foods and very spicy foods to reduce building internal heat.
• Use products with cooling essential oils such as lavender, sage, peppermint, eucalyptus, chamomile, vetiver, sandalwood.

• Focus on relaxing and becoming less rigid or controlling. Pitta benefits from learning to surrender and relaxing the mind. Think less about being a perfectionist. Find pride in your work and tasks, but don't make them an obsession. Give yourself the space to fond an even rhythm to your workday instead of moving intensely from task to task.

• Practice daily self-massage. Ayurvedic self-massage is important in any season. During Pitta season, focus on using cooling oils such as coconut or sunflower oil.

We have several products to help balance, cool and calm Pitta during these summer months. You don't need to create several rituals all at once to stay balanced during summer. Just try incorporating one at a time and allow them to become natural before adding on more.

Try our pitta dosha cooling blends that bring the fire of pitta back into balance.