As Delhi and its surrounding areas endure the relentless summer heat, with temperatures soaring above 45 degrees, it’s crucial to take extra care to maintain your body’s optimal temperature. According to Ayurveda, Greeshma Ritu (summer season) can severely impact the body, causing dryness, dehydration, excessive sweating, and extreme heat. This can weaken immunity and increase Pitta dosha, which plays a vital role in regulating hormones and emotions. Here are some Ayurvedic tips to help you stay cool and healthy during the heatwave:
Stay Hydrated with Ayurvedic Drinks: Drink plenty of water infused with herbs like fennel seeds, coriander seeds, or mint leaves. Additionally, buttermilk (lassi), aam panna, bael juice (stone apple), and coconut water are excellent for staying cool and hydrated.
Include Pitta-Pacifying Foods: Incorporate foods that pacify Pitta dosha, such as those with sweet, bitter, and astringent tastes. Examples include cucumbers, melons, leafy greens, asparagus, and zucchini.
Use Cooling Spices: Add cooling spices like fennel, coriander, and mint to your meals. These spices help lower body heat and can be consumed in food or as tea.
Aloe Vera Application: Apply fresh aloe vera gel to your skin. Aloe vera has natural cooling properties that soothe and cool the body when applied topically.
Practice Pranayama: Engage in cooling breathing techniques like Sheetali Pranayama. Roll your tongue into a tube, inhale through the mouth, hold your breath for a few seconds, and exhale through the nose. This helps cool down the body. Other beneficial practices include Anulom Vilom (alternate nostril breathing) and Chandrabhedi Pranayama (left nostril breathing), which promote inner coolness and tranquillity.
Coconut Oil Massage: Perform Abhyanga (self-massage) with coconut oil. Coconut oil has cooling properties and massaging it into the skin can help reduce body heat.
Use Sandalwood Paste: Apply a paste made of sandalwood powder and rose water to your forehead and chest. Sandalwood has cooling and soothing effects on the body.
Consume Amla (Indian Gooseberry): Amla is known for its cooling properties and is rich in Vitamin C. You can consume it fresh, as juice, or in powdered form mixed with water.
Wear Cooling Crystals: Wearing cooling gemstones like moonstone or pearl can help balance Pitta and keep the body cool. These stones are believed to have a cooling effect on the body.
Avoid Peak Sun Hours: According to Ayurveda, avoiding the sun during peak hours (10 am to 4 pm) can help prevent overheating. Stay indoors or in shaded areas during these times.
By incorporating these Ayurvedic practices into your daily routine, you can effectively manage the summer heat, maintain your health, and enjoy a more comfortable and balanced season.