Find Serenity this Summer (tips for Pitta)
/There are times when I want to lash out with the fury of a fire breathing dragon. Most of the time I don’t. This was absolutely NOT true during menopause. During this time of my life, I was a raging, crying mess much of the time.
The ancient healing tradition of Ayurveda characterizes menopause and many other imbalances leading to anger, irritation, impatience and hyper criticism as a “pitta” overload. Meaning, there is too much internal fire in our mind-body system.
A pitta overload can also lead to physical challenges like heartburn, indigestion, skin flare ups, hot itchy eyes and digestive disorders like diarrhea, stomach ulcers and IBS.
The summer months, being the hottest season, can add more heat to an already hot mind-body type creating a pitta overload. This is when we need to call in serenity. Serenity is the super power that cools a pitta flare up.
If you are not already familiar with Ayurveda, I’ve posted an excerpt from my online course to give you a quick overview. If you are really curious and want to know more, Take the Journey is a comprehensive online course to help you discover self-care practices that balance your particular mind-body type.
Getting back to serenity, here are a few ideas on how to find it. These suggestions are all especially good for pitta types or anyone experiencing excess pitta.
Make some “serenity spots” in your home. Is there a quiet corner where you can place a few things that remind you of the ocean? The ocean is cooling and soothing for hot, sharp pitta. I’ve made my shed into a little beach house (I have sooo much gratitude that I am lucky enough to have this space). No ocean, but I can put on some ocean sounds and imagine it’s right outside my window. Or sometimes if I’m being really creative I can imagine the cars going by in the distance are waves. Lemons to lemonade….
Cooling yoga postures and breathing techniques. You can give my Yoga for Hot Flashes YouTube video a try. Even if you aren’t experiencing menopause, this practice will be helpful.
Meditate. Meditation is the antithesis of pitta nature. Pitta is intense and always “doing”. Meditation helps you find ease in simply being. I recorded a pitta reducing Yoga Nidra mediation you could download if you want to give it a try.
Take long slow walks in the moonlight. The moon (cool and passive) has the opposite qualities to the sun (hot and active) so helps to reduce excess pitta.
Reduce hot spicy or fermented foods. During the hottest parts of the summer balance the hot foods with cool foods like cucumber, melon, mangos and mint.
Drink plenty of cool water. Icy water, is not the best for digestion, so Ayurveda says keep it cool and maybe add mint, lemon balm, basil or cucumber. You can put any combination of these plants into a pitcher and keep replenishing your glass with this cooling elixir.
If you want to know more about Ayurveda, feel free to ask me about it next time you’re in. I have food lists and lifestyle suggestions for the 3 mind-body types and I’m happy to chat about Ayurveda any time!
Mostly, I want to encourage you to give yourself a break. Take time for self care. It’s been a pretty rough couple of years.
Wishing you a summer filled with peace and serenity!
=)
Lori
