Staying Cool Isn't Just About What You Eat
Your fridge isn't the only thing keeping you balanced this summer.
Last week we talked about why cold food and iced drinks work against you in summer, not for you. But food is only half the equation. The other half is easy to miss, because it doesn't come from a grocery list — it comes from how you move through your day.
WHAT "OVERHEATING" ACTUALLY MEANS
It's not just about body temperature. In Ayurveda, Pitta governs heat in every sense — physical, digestive, and mental. Rushing, overworking, and staying wound up all generate their own kind of internal heat, the same way standing in direct sun does.
That's why you can feel "off" in summer even when you're eating well and staying hydrated. The heat isn't only coming from outside.
FOUR WAYS TO COOL DOWN THAT HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH FOOD
Pace your activity. Save the intense workout or the demanding project for early morning or evening, when the heat — inside and out — is lowest. Pushing through the hottest hours doesn't build discipline, it just adds fuel to an already-lit fire.
Rest in the shade. A few minutes out of direct sun during peak heat does more for your internal temperature than another cold drink ever could. This is one of the simplest, most overlooked tools available.
Slow your breath. A few rounds of Sheetali — a cooling breath — can lower your internal heat faster than anything in the fridge. It takes under a minute and needs nothing but a quiet moment.
How to Practice Sheetali Breath:
Sit tall and relax your shoulders.
Curl your tongue into a tube shape and let the tip of your tongue stick out slightly. (Can't curl your tongue? Purse your lips into a small "O" shape instead.)
Inhale slowly through the curled tongue (or pursed lips) for a count of 4.
Close your mouth and exhale slowly through your nose for a count of 6.
Repeat 5-10 times.
Protect your calm. Stress and rushing generate heat just as surely as the sun does. A slower pace in summer isn't a lack of ambition — it's what keeps your agni, and your temper, steady when everything around you is warming up.
WHY THIS MATTERS MORE THAN IT SEEMS
None of this is about doing less. It's about recognizing that your nervous system and your digestion are more connected than they get credit for. A calm body handles heat well. A rushed, overheated one doesn't — no matter how carefully you're eating.
THE SIMPLE RULE TO REMEMBER
Cool your pace, not just your plate.
The next time summer has you running hot, ask what's actually driving it — the temperature outside, or the pace you're keeping. Often, the fastest way back to balance is simply slowing down.
Not sure how your body is handling Pitta season so far? Take the free Seasonal Blueprint Quiz to get a personalized read on where you're at right now.