409: Our best tips for keeping your Summer calm and cool
Notes from the show:
Practice the Cooling breath
Sitali - the cooling breath - is pranayama or yoga breathing technique for cooling the body and mind, and calming elevated pitta.
It’s very helpful in hot weather for cooling down.
How to do it:
Sit in a comfortable position with your neck and back softly straight.
Take some deep belly breaths for a couple of minutes.
Now form your lips into an “o” shape and stick your tongue out slightly with the sides curled up slightly.
Breath in deeply as if your tongue is acting a bit like a straw and feel your breath cooling the length of your tongue and mouth.
Close your mouth and breath out through your nose and repeat for a couple of minutes.
Remain seated taking calm natural breaths for another minute or two.
Keep Hydrated
- Coconut water (and oil on skin)
- Watermelon
Avoid hot pungent foods:
oily, salty, citrus or sour fruits, caffeine and alcohol
In India alcohol is referred to as hot drinks because of it’s fiery nature and effect)
Keep your diet light, cool and simple:
- Rice and vegetables coriander
- Sweet, juicy, cooling fruits: red grapes, melon, mango
Cooling teas
- Mint
- Fennel
- Rose
- Coriander
Practice moderation and attitude adjustment
In Ayurveda known as behavioural rasayana
Cooling attitudes:
- Be kind and courteous
- Avoid getting competitive
- Be mindful of your emotional triggers
- Avoid intense discussion or arguments
- See the humour in things
Spend time in nature
- Walk early in the morning, or in the evening or the cool times of the day
- Stand outside under the moonlight and practice simple breathing meditation
- Go swimming rather than sitting in the Sun
- Keep out of the intensity of the mid day and afternoon sun
- Taking mindful breaks can help us step out of the cycle of rushing and worry which can easily peak stress and anxiety during the summer months