Don't Piss Off Your Pitta

Summers can be brutal; especially in Florida. The sun is amazing, but heck it is intense!! Do you ever notice you get irritable or angry when you get too hot? There's a reason for that and Ayurveda, the science of life, can explain!!

What's Ayurveda

Ayurveda is an old school (aka ancient) system of preventative health. This system gives us the knowledge to understand the world around us, and ourselves. With this information we gain a toolbox filled with tools to help us manage our health in a preventative and natural way.

Ayurveda breaks down our world into three "forces" (for those that are familiar with Ayurveda, we know these forces as doshas) which are: 1) vata 2) pitta and 3) kapha. These forces are represented in everything around us and within us. Summer season is pitta season, which means pitta is more prevalent during this time of year. When pitta is so prevalent it becomes excessive in our bodies, it can manifest through emotions such as anger, irritability, and frustration, and physical symptoms such as acid indigestion, inflammation, and migraines.

Pitta Increasing Activities

Like increases like, so when we engage in activities that are pitta increasing during the pitta time of year, it can put us in a state of pitta excess. Activities that increase pitta:

• Direct sun and/or heat exposure

• Competition

• Caffeine and alcohol

• Heated emotions

• Stress

• Exercising during the mid day (10:00-2:00)

• Getting hangry

• Hot, spicy, sour, salty, fried, or fermented foods

• Signs of Excess Pitta

• Inflammation

• Sunburn

• Acid reflux

• Extreme thirst

• Ulcers

• Fever

• Burning eyes

• Migraines

• Irritation, anger, rage

How to Balance Pitta

• Stay in the shade if you're at the beach or pool and be sure to bring cool drinks to keep hydrated

• Take a vacation, maybe somewhere that's a little cooler than home

• Wear a hat for sun protection

• Eat foods that balance pitta such as:

• Fruits: melon, cucumber, pineapple, blueberries, pomegranates, coconut, lime

• Veggies: cauliflower, broccoli, cucumbers, potatoes, kale

• Beans: black beans, garbanzo beans, soy beans

• Spices: basil, dill, cilantro, mint

• Sweeteners: if you're into the sweet stuff, choose maple syrup or unrefined cane sugar

• Workout in the morning, if you can, and choose activities where you can relax. If your into high intensity strive for inner calm why you're pushing yourself.

• Do some yoga; especially twists and forward folds.

Ok ya'll there you go. Don't piss off your pitta this summer! Find the balance in enjoying the activities you love outside while using strategies to find and maintain balance. Remember the disclaimer: This blog was written for educational purposes only and is based on the tradition of Ayurveda. It is not intended to treat, diagnose, prescribe, or heal any health condition or to replace standard medical treatment or advice.

This post was originally posted July 2018.