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According to Ayurvedic principles, our lifestyle and diet should flow with the rhythm of the seasons. By making small seasonal adjustments in what we eat and how we live, we can stay in harmony with nature.

With summer upon us, many of us may already be experiencing common seasonal troubles such as heat boils, excessive body heat, and related discomforts. Ayurveda explains this through the concept of pitta—the body’s internal heat that regulates metabolism. While normal levels of pitta are essential, an excessive rise leads to pitta dosha, disrupting metabolism and causing chemical imbalances in the body. This often shows up in the form of acne, rashes, heartburn, or even diarrhoea.

To restore balance, Ayurveda suggests simple lifestyle and dietary changes to cool the body naturally. Here are some Ayurvedic tips to beat the summer heat:

# Avoid Heat-inducing Spices

Stay away from spices such as cayenne, garlic, chillies, fennel, and black pepper. Instead, use cooling herbs like coriander, cilantro, and cardamom in your meals.

# Cut Down on Hot, Spicy, and Sour Foods

These foods intensify body heat. Replace them with cooling and sweet foods such as rice (white or red), wheat, coconut, and ghee to keep the body cool.

# Skip Ice-cold and Processed Drinks

Avoid carbonated drinks, packaged juices, milkshakes, and yogurt-based smoothies. Though tempting, they weaken digestion and create toxins in the body, lowering immunity.

# Limit Sour Fruits

Instead of sour fruits, opt for cooling ones like grapes, pomegranate, sweet mango, apples, pears, and black raisins. Also, avoid mixing different fruits within a 30-minute gap.

# Drink Coconut Water

Fresh coconut water is one of the best natural coolants during summer. It hydrates, soothes, and keeps the body cool from within.

# Avoid Fermented Foods

Fermented items like pickles, yogurt, bread, cheese, and soy products tend to increase body heat, indigestion, and heartburn. Keep them minimal in your diet.

# Protect Yourself from Harsh Sunlight and Overexertion

Avoid strenuous activities during peak daytime hours. If you want to jog or cycle, schedule it early in the morning or late in the evening.

# Drink Water at Room Temperature

Stay hydrated with normal temperature water. You can enhance it with fresh mint leaves or a few drops of rose water for extra cooling.

# Choose Light and Breathable Clothing

Wear loose-fitting cotton clothes in light shades like white, grey, blue, or green, which reflect sunlight. Avoid dark colours that trap heat.

# Try a Cooling Oil Massage

Massage your body with unrefined coconut oil about 20 minutes before bathing. It not only cools but also refreshes and nourishes your skin.