Five cooling remedies to help you beat the heat.
When summer temperatures start to soar, staying cool isn't just about comfort—it’s crucial for your health and well-being. Let's dive into some easy, practical tips that you can try today!
1. Stay Hydrated with Cooling Drinks
Water is your best friend during hot weather, but you can add a little twist to make hydration even more effective and refreshing. Try infused water with ingredients like cucumber, mint, or lemon. These not only add flavor but also have natural cooling effects on the body. Herbal teas such as peppermint or chamomile served chilled can be soothing and hydrating. Avoid caffeinated and sugary drinks, as they may dehydrate you further.
2. Use Cooling Essential Oils
Essential oils like peppermint and eucalyptus have natural cooling properties. You can add a drop to a spray bottle filled with water and mist your face and body throughout the day (remember to always dilute essential oils, ensuring the oil is no more than 1-2% of the mix). Another great technique is to add a couple of drops to a cool compress and apply it to your wrists, neck, or forehead. This can instantly bring down your body temperature while also promoting relaxation.
3. Try cooling Pranayama
The cooling breathing technique known as Sheetali Pranayama to help regulate your body temperature and promote relaxation. This practice involves rolling the tongue into a tube shape and inhaling deeply through it, which creates a natural cooling effect as the air passes over the moist tongue surface. To perform Sheetali Pranayama:
Sit comfortably with your spine straight.
Roll the sides of your tongue upward to form a tube. (If you cannot roll your tongue, you can gently purse your lips instead, and inhale through the mouth.)
Inhale slowly and deeply through the rolled tongue or pursed lips, feeling the cool air enter your body.
Close your mouth and exhale slowly through your nose.
Repeat this cycle for several minutes until you feel cooler and more relaxed.
This technique not only cools the body but can also reduce stress and promote mental clarity, making it an excellent natural remedy during hot weather or times of tension.
4. Opt for Cooling Foods
Certain foods naturally help lower body temperature. Incorporate watermelon, cucumbers, yogurt, and leafy greens into your diet. Watermelon and cucumbers have high water content, keeping you hydrated and cool from within. Yogurt not only cools but is a beneficial probiotic, promoting health of the gut microbiome, which can be particularly helpful in warmer weather. Plus, incorporating smoothies with these ingredients is both delicious and cooling!
5. Pitta calming practices
Pitta is closely correlated with the hot seasons, particularly late spring and summer, when the environment naturally increases internal heat. During these times, Pitta aggravation tends to rise, leading to symptoms like inflammation, irritability, and digestive disturbances. Calming Pitta during this seasonal peak is crucial because mitigating this internal heat not only balances digestion and mental clarity but also actively contributes to cooling the body, supporting overall thermoregulation and comfort.
Diet plays a crucial role in calming Pitta. Favor cooling, hydrating foods such as cucumbers, melons, leafy greens, and coconut water. Avoid spicy, fried, and acidic foods, as well as excessive caffeine and alcohol, which can aggravate Pitta’s fiery qualities. Regular meal times and moderate portions support digestive stability and prevent overheating.
Engage in moderate physical activity during cooler parts of the day, such as early morning or evening walks, instead of intense workouts that may increase internal heat. Wearing light, breathable clothing and staying hydrated with water and herbal teas like peppermint or chamomile can also help maintain Pitta equilibrium.
Final Thoughts
Keeping cool during hot weather doesn’t have to be a struggle. With these five cooling practices you’ll be able to outsmart the heat and stay comfortable all summer long. Remember, if you ever feel dizzy, excessively tired, or nauseous due to heat, seek medical attention immediately, as these can be signs of heat-related illness.
Stay cool, stay safe!