Soothing the Summer soul

 

Summer is here.. so is the heat…how can we soothe and cool the body& soul a bit?

Maybe you’ve been dreaming of refreshing ocean water or a visit to the local swimming hole.

Maybe it’s as simple as a cool shower. These are all ways we can seek refuge from the heat.

We can also quell the fire outside and in with cooling Ayurvedic practices regardless of where we are. Keeping cool can help translate to ‘cooler’ emotions -less frustration, anger, and drive -that can sometimes show up with the heat.

MORNING PRACTICES

  1. Wake up early, before the sun is high in the sky so that you can head outside and walk barefoot in the morning dew

  2. A movement practice before the sun rises to high (and perhaps a cooling shower or dip in the river afterwards)

  3. Eat a small, nutritious breakfast.

 

Throughout the DaY

  1. Sweet, bitter and astringent foods like sweet or tart berries , and pomegranates, apples, and pears can offer a bit of sweetness and astringency. Veggies, particularly dark leafy or nettle greens offer us the bitter taste. Legumes, quinoa, sprouts also have an astringent quality.

  2. Enjoy that cool shower or swimming hole in the heat of the day (or keep yourself cool with light, loose clothing, a hat, or the shade of the tree or. home)

  3. Late afternoon prepare a traditional Ayurvedic tea blend of equal parts coriander, cumin and fennel made even cooler with the addition of rose or mint for a bask in the early evening sun and as he sets. Allow this to infuse overnight and soak up the cool lunar energy so you can enjoy a physically and energetically refreshing herbal tea come morning.

Evening practices

  1. As it begins to cool again, a movement practice may be calling- walking, yoga, qigong can be less intense forms of movement

  2. Self- massage with coconut oil to the top of the head and the feet.

  3. Nasya or application of oil to the nose can be done using ghee, as it’s considered sweet and cooling- yes you can cook with ghee as well!

  4. Although we may feel energized ,see if you can get to bed by 10pm as this is before the firey time of night rises.

These are a few ideas that we hope you find helpful. We’d love to hear what you try or what do you do to keep cool in the dog days of summer? Please share in the comments below!

 
Jennifer Mintz1 Comment