Summer is winding down; time to hit the beach one last time, eat an acai bowl and have some good fun.
Summer feels like freedom, doesn't it? School's out, the sky is wide and possibility is everywhere. There's a certain bounciness to it that feels downright liberating. So let's grab that last little bit before we head back to school, work and the daily grind.
Here are five summer ayurveda tips we're using to close out the season over at balaveda. It's a simple ayurvedic summer routine you can start today.
1. Health-First Energy
Yeah, we still need a little caffeine sometimes, but we're definitely going to make sure it's clean, organic energy that leaves us better than it found us. I personally like to grab a cold Wicked Blueberry when I need a little extra boost, but my husband reaches for an iced Cosmic Clarity (our vanilla matcha that packs a nootropic punch for brain health).
Burnout in summer hits twice as hard. So we keep it light, cool and clean. Ditch the hot coffee (your gut will thank you) and opt for cleaner, cooler energy, the kind of energy that doesn't end in a crash. There's no other way to do it according to Ayurveda.
Curious how the brain-support side works? Here's what nootropics actually are.
2. Getting Into Nature
This one is easy this time of year. It's gorgeous outside. Flowers are in bloom, the water is warm and people are out and about. It's a great time to go for a hike, a swim, a gardening session or just a morning walk. I like to keep my time outside to the early morning or late evening to avoid high heat.
Time outdoors is one of the most underrated longevity practices there is. More on that in the secret to longevity. And if you're heading out for something more strenuous, cordyceps before a workout is worth a read.
3. Going With the Flow
A shift in routine is normal around this time of year. We've been eating dinner a little later and even pushing back our bedtime 30 to 60 minutes. The most important thing is to lose the rigidity, let your hair down, and live a little. Routine is great, we love that, but freedom is great too. Remember it's a balance, not a perfect.
This is also important to keep in mind as pitta is running high this time of year. Pitta wants things to be perfect, to keep moving and to be faster; and keeping that pitta in check is harder at this time. There's a natural tendency to get hot headed, hot tempered and hot and bothered. It's okay to tell your pitta to chill out and take a rest.
Sitting down with a calming guided meditation or just relaxing with a book and an iced herbal tea (I love hibiscus) is perfect summer self care. Blue Mind is our go-to for exactly that moment. And if stress is the thing running the show, read up on adaptogens and stress.
4. Staying Cool in Pitta Season
I know I mentioned this above, but it's so important when the temps are hitting into the 90s to help your body out. Drinking plenty of water (bonus points if you add cooling lime or cucumber), eating organic fruit, dressing appropriately and staying out of the midday sun are a few ways to make sure the heat doesn't take you out.
Remember pitta season is high, and pitta is fire, which can burn us up if we let it (especially my pitta friends). Watermelon, hibiscus and rose are all classically cooling, which is exactly why they're in Radical Beauty. For a bright, minty option, Tropic Rush over ice does the trick.
Every season asks for something different. Compare notes with our spring routine and kapha season guides.
5. Eat Simply
When I say simply, here's what I mean: local, organic, seasonal, minimal ingredients, cooling, hydrating foods.
It seems like a lot of boxes to check but all I'm saying is eat easy (and I don't mean McDonald's). What's available? What simple ingredients pair well? What's your body craving?
Here are some cooling foods for summer: watermelon, peaches, sunflower seeds, coconut, lime, cherries, beans, cucumber, tomato, mint, cilantro, fish, pineapple, summer squash, broccoli, strawberries, raspberries, cantaloupe, asparagus, eggs, potatoes, lentils, hummus, salsa, chicken, peas, avocado, kiwi, banana, cauliflower, dill, lemon, quinoa, figs, plums, hibiscus, tulsi, blueberries and ghee. And there are many, many more.
The number of meals you can make from that list alone is a summer's worth!
Listen, your body is doing enough to stay in homeostasis without you overloading digestion. Keeping meals smaller, easier to digest and minimal in ingredients really does your body a favor. If you want to go deeper, here's digestion the Ayurvedic way. A little Totally Turmeric doesn't hurt either.
Go Have Some Good Clean Fun
So grab your beach towel and some balaveda and get out there and have some good clean fun before summer ends!
In good health,
Amanda
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best summer ayurveda tips?
Focus on staying cool and easing the load on your body: choose cooling, hydrating foods, get outside in the early morning or evening, loosen up a rigid routine, and swap hot coffee for cleaner, cooler energy. Small consistent rituals matter more than a perfect plan.
How do you balance pitta in summer?
Pitta is the fire element, and it runs high in summer heat. Balance it by avoiding the midday sun, drinking water with cooling additions like cucumber or lime, eating sweet and hydrating foods such as watermelon and cucumber, and building in genuine rest: meditation, a book, an iced herbal tea.
What foods are cooling in Ayurveda?
Watermelon, cucumber, coconut, mint, cilantro, lime, peaches, cherries, cantaloupe, hibiscus and tulsi are all considered cooling. Ayurveda favors local, seasonal and simply prepared food so digestion stays light during hot weather.
Is coffee bad in the summer?
Coffee is heating and can aggravate pitta when it's already elevated. It isn't about eliminating caffeine entirely. Many people do better switching to something cooler and cleaner, like an iced matcha or an organic energy shot with L-theanine to smooth out the lift.
How can I get energy without a crash?
Look for caffeine paired with adaptogens and L-theanine rather than sugar and synthetic stimulants. That combination supports a steadier rise and fall. Our nootropic powders and energy shots are all built this way.