Be Cool This Summer

            As summer comes early this year, are you one of the ones that are dreading the heat of this upcoming summer? Hot, sweaty, cranky, dehydrated? As the temperature rises outside, so does the heat in us increases. We sweat a little more and crave cooling drinks, fresh fruits and summer salads. Others seek the ocean or the pool in lieu of workouts in the gym. Our Ayurveda Creating Perfect Health Program has the solutions. Read on to find the simple solutions to have a true cool summer….

Like Increases Like

Yes hot foods increase our body heat! If you are naturally warm (in Ayurveda it is known as Pitta) then you need to be even more careful of the heat in the summer. Because pitta people have a strong fire in their bodies, it is especially important to prevent overheating.

Spicy foods and “red” foods like tomatoes, red peppers, red wine; and red meat will increase internal heat and in excess can cause aggravation. The same is true of salty and sour (includes yogurt, cheese, and sour cream) foods, soy, and fermented foods as well. Small amounts of ginger, black pepper and cumin are ok, but beware of cayenne. These types of foods in excess not only increase internal temperatures, but move through the body increasing emotional, mental, and physical fire. They can leave you dehydrated and aggravate your skin.

                            Cool Down When the Heat is On

 

Eat foods that keep the body cool like plenty of vegetables and sweet fruits. Sweet fruits like grapes, cherries, melons, peaches, avocados, coconuts, mangos sweet fully ripened oranges, pineapples, and plums. Other foods that balance the heat (pitta) are ghee, milk (organic or almond is best) and grains (reduce corn, rye, millet, and brown rice). In summertime you can use olive, soy, sunflower, and coconut oils while reducing sesame, almond, and corn oils, all of which increase summer qualities.

 

Exercise With a Splash

Avoid the heat of the day or exercising in the sun for your workouts. Move them to when there is more moisture in the air like the early morning (best) or early evening (second best).  Brisk evening walks, early morning jogs are good. Ride a bike when the air is cool on your body is a fresh way to cool down. Swimming is best for our hot-bodied friends. Yoga is good for all bodies all year round. Avoid participating in anything overly competitive because competition increases emotional heat.

Avoid “Ice” Cold Drinks

Really? No ice in my drinks? While this is the “go to” for most people in the summer, it actually works against us and reduces our energy. Ice cold drinks reduce our digestive fire. That digestive strength is responsible for converting our food into energy. Ice cold drinks effectively “put out the flames” of our digestive fire. Drink liquids that are room temperature and it is assimilated into our body much faster and we are rehydrated more quickly. Yes this ultimately keeps us cool and keeps our energy high.  Iced tea and carbonated drinks in excess are a caution as they can actually dehydrate the body.  Keep hydrated and drink water -       approximately half your body weight in ounces each day.

 

Timing is Everything

1.) To keep our bodies cool and get our greatest amount of energy, eat your main meal at lunchtime. Closest to 12:00 when your digestive fire is the strongest.

2.) Skipping meals is a sure fire way to increase your internal and emotional heat.

3.) Don't overeat or eat within 3 hours of bedtime.

4.) Build in time for play. We can balance the intensity of the heat with less intensity at work. Time for play keeps us cool and more in balance.

5.) The temperature of our mind can heat up in the summer. One of the most powerful ways to settle the mind is meditation each day. Starting the day with mediation keeps the temperature of the mind cool and balanced. Listen to soothing music and practice conscious breathing upon waking starts the day off right.

 

Our problems on the outside are a reflection of what is happening inside.
Fix the insides first and the outsides will heal.

               The next step towards Creating Perfect Health is developing a harmonized daily routine. Ayurveda looks at everything that is happening in your world to find out what might be throwing you off balance. At Creating Perfect Health, we show you how to integrate specific daily routines for your individual constitution to help you on the path to your Perfect Health.

              With more than 28 years in the healthcare field and a certified Perfect Health instructor by Dr. Deepak Chopra, at Creating Perfect Health we give you the simple solutions to support and maintain health and vitality for your entire family. Join us as we continue the path to Creating Perfect Health.