A favorite family quote, is from our son, Evan, who when asked about his kindergarten day, replied: “I tried to be cool, but I wasn’t!”
It’s hard to be cool. Especially in the summer! Ayurvedically speaking, as the external temperatures rise, our internal temperatures rise as well. We naturally seek ways to cool the body, like sipping a tall glass of lemonade or eating a cool slice of watermelon. But we also need to “cool” our minds. The fast pace of everyday life in the summer goes against the need to balance a body that is already “hot” and can surface physically as inflammation of the skin, or loose bowels, or emotionally as irritability, anger or criticism.
Luckily, if we pause to take in what the season has to offer, we notice that summer naturally provides us with nourishing elements that cool both mind and body.
To bring balance and harmony back to the mind and body, try these cooling tips:
Eat cooling foods;
Fresh vegetables and fruits and leafy greens
Use spices such as coriander and fennel, and herbs like cilantro and mint
Take time for mind cooling activities:
Go for an early morning or early evening walk
Take a dip in the cool lake
Keep a daily meditation practice
And when the summer heat is just too hot to handle, try this Ayurvedic version of Gatorade from Vasant Lad at the Ayurvedic Institute:
Pinch of raw sugar
Pinch of salt
Juice of ½ lime
1 cup water
Mix till sugar and salt are dissolved. Add lime juice and enjoy! Hydrates both mind and body
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