With many places opening back up after the pandemic, there is going to be much more opportunity for travel, hanging out with friends and family and enjoying life again, just in time for the longer days and warmer weather! With this transition, there are going to be some adjustments that most of us may not think we need; however we very much need to be conscious of. With summer comes the heat! We wanted to share some ways to help maintain a healthy balance within your gut, body, and mental health during this incredibly exciting season.
Stay Hydrated!
Keep your reusable water bottle on you at all times filled with non-chilled water. Drinking luke warm water hydrates the body quicker and allows for better digestion. This is due to ice water freezes the digestive enzymes and fluids in your G.I tract. It disables your body from effectively digesting and assimilating any substance fully. As a result, undigested food moves through your digestive system and leads to digestive issues such as bloating, elimination issues, upset stomach, and a build up of toxins (ama) in the body.
Preparing Your Meals
Digestive fire (Agni) wanes in the summer due to excess heat. Therefore, we eat like birds, which is to say to eat lighter since we do not have a big appetite during summer months. Summer blesses us with the most colorful array of fresh fruits and veggies for the season. Picking foods with vibrancy and lots of life will benefit both your physical well being as well as your mental well being. With the summer heat your body is digesting with more heat too. Cooling and hydrating foods such as cucumber, watermelon, lettuce, and berries are in abundance during this season to aid in cooling the body and digestion. Visit your local farmers market during the summer to find a wide array of organic local produce that is specific to your area. Always remain aware of eating for your specific dosha as well. Pittas, summer is your season so be mindful in the food that you eat to avoid excess heat in your digestive tract.
If you know you are going to be out, planning or packing your meals will help you stay focused on eating a more colorful diet this season. It is important to note that indulging in a summer BBQ of hot dogs and s’mores is totally okay! Just be mindful of keeping balance within your diet and you will have a great summer.
Rising and Falling With the Sun
Summer brings with it long, beautiful days. With this extra bit of light, you can have an extra half an hour to an hour for yourself. Waking up with the sun is a gentle way of starting your day and can encourage a more productive and engaging day. With the early start the sun also sets later. Falling asleep with the sun during summer is much easier than in winter. In winter the sun sets around 6pm, which is not an ideal bedtime for a lot of us. However, your internal clock does follow a circadian rhythm that is based on the rising and setting of the sun. So, in summer, aligning with this clock can help you tremendously. Your body’s internal clock will thank you as well as your productivity levels!
Take Time for Nature
There is no better season, besides spring, to get out into nature than in summertime. Hiking, camping, walking, beach barbeques, road trips, etc…make time for it all. Everyone has to work, especially with the country opening back up, but eliminate over-exhaustion from the transition back into normal life by finding time to get into nature! If you live in the bay area, there are tons of beautiful hikes and walks one can do. If you are looking for something new, take a road trip somewhere new and just explore. This is the best way to re-engage with the world after the chapter of the pandemic is coming to an end. Taking the time to be in nature will help keep you in a grounded headspace to adjust to being back out. Going back out to society is going to be difficult for many people. It is okay to be overwhelmed with the change. Remain in balance by finding time for nature and finding time for you.
With life getting back to normal, we are excited to see more smiling faces. Everything is happening just in time for the busiest season of the year. Always make sure you are taking time for yourself. This includes making time to properly feed yourself and properly move your body. If you are curious as to how you can understand your dosha more, we are here 5 days a week to help you in any way that you need! Happy summer to everyone and enjoy the beautiful days ahead!