In India we have very long summers and after dealing with the heat everyone hates it. Sumer brings along skin eruptions, sweat and dehydration etc.
She further added that she is always advised to consume more alkaline foods during summers in order to fight the body heat. Eating water-rich foods re-hydrates the body and also has antioxidants which in turn keep you healthy. Eating green vegetables, onions, and water-rich fruits and vegetables keeps the body hydrated and reduces dryness, and reduces risk of health issues.
Here are some tips to keep cool this summer
Thanks to naturopathy, which focuses on natural health and has a lot to offer to keep us healthy and cool during the scorching heat.
Dr Reetu Panwar, a naturopath and holistic healing expert says Summer is hot and bright, and is the season of pitta. Hence one has to keep cool and not allow pitta dosha to become aggravated.
1. Eat pitta Pacifying food
You must ensure eating foods that cool your body and give you relief from excessive heat. Eat water-rich fruits like watermelon, musk melon, bel fruit, pears, apples, plums, berries, Jamun and prunes. Pick vegetables like asparagus, lauki, pointed gourd, apple gourd, kakdi and cucumber.
2. Avoid Foods That Heat You Up
Avoid foods that will produce heat in your body and become hazardous. Avoid sour fruits, citrus fruits, beetroots and carrots that tend to heat up your body. You should avoid consuming too much of garlic, chili, tomato, sour cream and salted cheese.
3. Eat at The Right Time
Missing your lunch during summers leads to upsetting your pitta dosha, which makes you feel irritated and cranky. Always eat when your digestive fire is at its strongest, which is during lunch (mid-day).
4. Use Coconut Oil for massage
Rub 5-6 ounces of coconut oil on your body before taking a bath. It gives a calming, cooling and soothing effect to the skin.
5. Avoid Hot Drinks Or Hot Water
Drinking hot beverages will invite an upset pitta dosha. This is why you must always choose to drink beverages at room temperature in order to balance it.
6. Avoid Exercise During the Day when its hot
It is always good to exercise early in the morning as it is the coolest part of the day. Engaging in vigorous exercises during other parts of the day may heat up the body only to cause harm.
7. Use Cooling Oils
Bring sandalwood, jasmine and khus oils to your rescue. Not only do they have a soothing aroma, but also are known to have cooling properties.
8. Avoid Ice Cold Drinks
Ice cold drinks do not do any good instead it inhibits digestion and create toxins in the body. It also turns of the digestive fire and hence leads to many health problems.
Best Practices During Summers:
Include fruits, soaked dry fruits, and vegetable juices in your breakfast. As mentioned above never skip lunch in fact eat heavily. If you are taking curd with your meal ensure its sweet. Avoid taking, fried or spicy food, and caffeine during summer. Dinner should be taken lightly, like khichadi, dailya, soup.
Avoid taking sour Fruits with milk, like mango shake. It is great if you can take jau ka sattu, aam panna etc. if you are pitta dominant then you should avoid citric fruits.
Wearing light color clothing is another great idea. Protect yourself from sunburn, and use hand gloves and sunglasses.
Follow these simple yet important naturopathy tips to keep cool in order to beat the heat. Also, follow us on Facebook and Instagram for more such tips and suggestions.
Happy Summers!