Planning a road trip this summer? Whether you’re heading for the high desert, the coast, or anywhere in between, these easy, Pitta-balancing Ayurvedic tips will help you keep your cool.
Summer is Pitta Season
In Ayurveda, summer is considered Pitta season—a time when fiery Pitta dosha predominates in the mind, body, and environment. If you love the long, warm days of summer, you’re in good company. But if the extra sunshine and humidity leave you feeling overheated and irritable, you may need to balance your Pitta.
All About Pitta Dosha
Pitta is the Ayurvedic dosha represented by fire and water. It’s responsible for all things digestion, transformation, and metabolism in the mind and body. Pitta dosha has the qualities of being hot, bright, sharp, oily, and liquid. When in balance, Pitta provides strong digestion, impressive organizational skills, and strong stamina—all good things on a road trip!
When out of balance, however, Pitta-predominant types can be prone to occasional acid indigestion, excessive sweating, stubbornness, and impatience. With that in mind, it’s beneficial for Pitta-predominant folks to keep Pitta pacified (balanced) during the hot summer months.
An Unexpected Turn Can Cause Pitta To Burn
The short fuse! We all know road trips and family vacations contain the element of surprise. Whether it’s a delayed flight or Interstate detours, the unexpected can increase Pitta in the mind and body.
Pitta-predominant people tend to thrive in structured environments. When Pitta goes out of balance, we may feel out of our comfort zone, or feel like things are out of our control, resulting in frustration, controlling and/or impatient behavior.
Hot temperatures and sticky humidity, combined with long airport security lines or freeway traffic jams, can ignite Pitta’s short fuse. Before you know it, your temper goes up in smoke. Practicing a cooling regimen during summer, or a hot-weather trip, will help you make happy memories instead.
Slow Down and Chill
Spontaneity can be fun. But Pitta-predominant folks love to plan a vacation. Their organizational skills are amazing, and they tend to plan for every detail. They’re the ones at the ready with road maps, GPS, and tour books. And while their “Always ready!” protocol comes in handy, a vacation is also a time to cut loose and enjoy spontaneity in the daily routine.
Don’t overbook! It’s important to not overbook your vacation To-Do list. Leave room in your travel and touring itinerary for plenty of rest and downtime. After making a list of sights to see, maybe consider taking a few items off the list. Also, be sure some of your activities include swimming, kayaking, or paddle-boarding. Spending time in, or near, water helps pacify Pitta. (Watch a video on the best exercise for your dosha type.)
Break away from the agenda for rest. While driving on the Interstate, consider a picnic break at shaded roadside stops, or a spontaneous visit to an ice cream shop. Enjoy a little freedom from timelines.
Ayurveda Travel Survival Kit for Pitta Dosha
Ayurveda teaches us that “like increases like, and opposites balance.” To avoid overheating and becoming stressed on your vacation, pack these Ayurvedic essentials.
Organic Pitta Tea
A delicious combination of fragrant rose petals and refreshing spices that cool Pitta dosha, Organic Pitta Tea is the perfect answer when you’re feeling intense or frustrated. You can enjoy it lightly warmed or as a room-temperature “iced” tea (without the ice, which can hamper digestion).
Cooling Pitta Aroma Oil
Cool off with an inviting blend of sandalwood, ylang ylang, lavender and other essential oils in our Cooling Pitta Aroma Oil. Perfect when you’re feeling hot or when temperatures are soaring outside.
Blissful Heart Aroma Oil
Helps soothe the mind and emotions. Our Blissful Heart Aroma Oil formula is especially made for those sad times when you’re feeling low or have just forgotten what happiness feels like. Contains essential oils of geranium rose, jasmine, rose, sandalwood, peppermint, lemon, and thyme.
Organic Premium Amla Berry
Organic Premium Amla Berry is a potent rasayana (rejuvenative). This unique fruit is one of just a handful of Ayurvedic ingredients that contain five of the six Ayurvedic taste categories—all except salty. Amla helps balance all three of the basic operating principles of mind and body—Vata, Pitta, and Kapha.
Stress Free Emotions
Stress Free Emotions promotes self-confidence, positive thinking and feelings of fulfillment by balancing the subdosha of Pitta that governs emotional health (Sadhaka Pitta). Arjuna, ashwagandha, mica, pearl and holy basil in this potent new formula promote coordination of mind and emotions.
Organic Rose Water
The skin’s color and temperature are regulated by Bhrajaka Pitta, a subdosha of Pitta. High temperatures create excess body heat and sweating, aggravating Bhrajaka Pitta and causing the skin to become red and irritated.
To soothe the skin, spritz your body throughout the day, especially during midday, when the sun is at its peak. A spray to the crown of the head, back of the neck, wrists, and bottom of the feet often provides instant relief.
Our Organic Rose Water can also be sprayed on cotton pads to relieve tired eyes. Driving in bright sun or swimming in a chlorinated pool irritates Alochaka Pitta, the function of Pitta governing the eyes. Put two sprays of the rose water on cotton balls and cover the eyes for a few minutes.
Coconut water
Just like your car radiator needs coolant to run smoothly, Pitta needs to stay hydrated, especially during the hot summer months. Cooling coconut water maintains a balanced internal body temperature when temperatures soar outside.
Cooling snacks
It’s important to not get overly hungry. Pack organic oat-and-fruit cereal bars in your carry-on bag. Favor fresh, sweet juicy fruits like plums, blueberries, apricots, and watermelon.
According to Ayurveda, fruit is best digested alone—a solo delight—as combining it with other foods can interfere with digestion. If you need something more substantial try one of these delicious, Pitta-balancing road snacks:
- celery with almond butter
- hummus-and-cucumber sandwiches on sprouted wheat bread
Pitta-Balancing Recipe: Cucumber Water
Nature’s gardens—whether local organic farms, community gardens, or your own backyard plot—are abundant with cucumbers during summer. These light, juicy vegetables are great for Pitta because they have a cooling effect on the digestion and keep the internal fire of Pitta in balance. Eat them fresh, or try this Pitta-balancing recipe for cucumber water:
- Fill a 24-ounce glass Mason jar with water
- Add 8 thin slices of fresh cucumber, one sprig of fresh mint, and three sprays of Organic Rose Water.
You can refill the jar 1-2 more times with water, then either eat the cucumbers or place them over your (closed) eyes to cool Alochaka Pitta. Enjoy!
Last but not least: remember the whole idea of summer vacations and vacations is to rest and rejuvenate. With a bit of simple, Pitta-balancing Ayurvedic self-care, you can leave frustration behind and make more room for fun.
Want More Pitta-Balancing Tips?
Try these delicious, cooling Pitta-pacifying recipes.
