5 Ayurvedic Tips to Keep Cool This Summer Naturally

When the sun is high, the days are long, and the heat feels inescapable, your body starts sending subtle signals: restlessness, irritability, dehydration, sluggish digestion, and even inflamed skin. In Ayurveda—the ancient healing science of India—summer is known as Pitta season. And it’s associated with heat, fire, and transformation. While Pitta energy is strong, too much can burn us out—literally and energetically. Thankfully, Ayurveda offers simple, supportive tools to help us stay balanced when the temperature rises. The goal? Cool the body, calm the mind, and stay energized. Below, you’ll find five powerful (yet practical) ayurvedic tips to keep cool this summer.

What is Ayurveda?

Ayurveda is a natural system of medicine. Originating in India more than 3,000 years ago, Ayurveda is derived from the Sanskrit words ayur (life) and veda (science or knowledge). Thus, Ayurveda translates to knowledge of life. To this day, Ayurvedic medicine is widely used for its focus on whole-body healing. According to Ayurveda, an imbalanced dosha leads to poor health and disease. Therefore, opting for food, exercise, and lifestyle habits based on your dosha is believed to promote optimal health and balance. Not sure what your dosha is? Take this quiz!

Summer is Pitta Season

Summer season is ruled by the Pitta dosha. Composed of the elements fire and water, Pitta is associated with words like oily, hot, light, and liquid. Think: humidity. In the body, this time of year can express as agitation, low digestive fire, sour stomach, and skin irritations. While some enjoy hot summer days (me!), others literally wilt and groan in the sun. According to Ayurveda, this is partly because of your specific constitution (prakriti) or imbalance (vikrati). With these Ayurvedic tips to keep cool this summer, hopefully you can find more reprieve in the heat.

1. Embrace Cooling Foods

Ayurveda teaches that “like increases like” and “opposites balance.” Since summer is hot and fiery, balance it with foods that are cool, hydrating, and calming. Think: juicy fruits, crisp vegetables, and mild spices.

Pitta-pacifying foods include:

Light or cool foods, like leafy greens
Vegetables like leafy greens, summer squashes, cauliflower, and cucumber
Grains like basmati rice, oats, quinoa, and barley
Legumes, like mung beans, black beans, garbanzo beans, and split peas
Water-rich and sweet fruits, such as melons, grapes, berries, peaches, and pears
Cooling spices, like cilantro, mint, dill, fennel, and coriander
Oils like coconut, avocado oil, and ghee
All unrefined sweeteners in moderation (except honey and molasses)

Try this: Start your day with a bowl of overnight oats soaked in flax milk, chia seeds, and vanilla collagen peptides. In the morning, top with fresh cantaloupe, almond butter, and a sprinkle of bee pollen.

Last but not least, eat at regular meal times to avoid pitta accumulation (acidity, headaches, heat rashes, inflammation, and irritability). Said differently: keep your blood sugar balanced!

2. Drink Infused Cooling Beverages

Hydration is essential, but not all drinks are created equal in Ayurveda. Skip the ice water (which can weaken digestion!) and instead sip on room-temperature or cool herbal infusions throughout the day.

Favorites for summer include:

Coriander, fennel, and cumin tea (CFC tea): This classic Ayurvedic blend soothes the digestive fire and supports detoxification.
Rosewater or hibiscus tea: Both have a naturally cooling effect and support skin health.
Aloe vera juice: Taken in small amounts, it supports digestion and calms internal heat.

Try this: Brew CFC tea in the morning and let it cool to room temp. Pour it into your favorite glass water bottle and sip throughout the day.

3. Adjust Your Movement Routine

Pitta season isn’t the time to push yourself through grueling workouts in the midday sun. Instead, lean into gentler, more grounding forms of movement that don’t overheat the body.

Pitta-friendly movement:

Yoga (especially cooling poses like forward folds, twists, and moon salutations)
Swimming or walking in the early morning or evening
Nature hikes, preferably under tree canopies or shaded trails

Bonus: Practicing left nostril breathing (Chandra Bhedana pranayama) for 2–5 minutes before bed can lower heat in the body and prepare you for deep rest.

4. Prioritize Rest and a Cooling Routine

Summer can feel busy, bright, and stimulating—which is why it’s even more important to carve out time to slow down and tend to your nervous system. This includes both intentional rest and a soothing evening ritual.

Try these Ayurvedic cooling self-care rituals:

Abhyanga (self-massage) with coconut oil in the evening
Foot massage before bed with brahmi or sandalwood oil to promote relaxation
A lukewarm shower or herbal bath with rose petals or lavender

Try this: Set a “sunset alarm” to cue your wind-down routine. After dinner, dim the lights, lower the noise, and ease into stillness.

5. Keep Your Cool Mentally and Emotionally

In Ayurveda, the fire element rules not only the body but the mind and emotions. Too much heat can manifest as frustration, anger, competitiveness, or impatience. To keep your inner flame in balance, turn to cooling mental practices.

Pitta-balancing mindset tools:

Meditation and mindfulness—even just five minutes a day
Journaling with prompts like “Where can I invite more softness into my life?”
Gratitude lists to redirect excess mental energy and ground your perspective

Try this: Create a midday ritual where you pause, place one hand on your heart, take 3 deep breaths, and check in with how you’re feeling. It’s small but deeply effective.

Avoid Excessive Heat

Along with those Ayurvedic tips to keep cool this summer, it’s worth the reminder: avoid excessive heat. Take cool showers, and limit massages/steaming. Save those self-care luxuries for the winter! If you do get a massage, opt for coconut oil or sunflower oil. If you steam, enjoy a shorter session. If you partake in aromatherapy, try calming, cooling, and sweet oils, like sandalwood, rose, and jasmine. Lastly, wear loose, breathable clothes (avoid polyester!). Linen sheets are wonderful this time of year as well. You take things one step further by opting for lighter, pastel shades.

Images courtesy of Unsplash.

This article contains affiliate links. Thank you for supporting Wellness with Edie!

This article is for informational purposes only. It is not, nor is it intended to be, a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment and we recommend that you always consult with your healthcare provider.