
Feeling overheated, burned out, or just a little too intense? This timeless Ayurvedic guide offers cooling foods, breathwork, lifestyle shifts, and rituals to balance Pitta and restore calm.
Pitta is the energy of summer—bright, intense, fiery, and sharp. And while this energy fuels drive, transformation, and passion, too much Pitta can leave us feeling irritable, overheated, inflamed, or anxious.
In Ayurveda, the goal isn’t to eliminate Pitta—it’s to keep it in check. To work with the heat of the season while staying anchored in practices that cool, calm, and harmonize.
This guide offers timeless support to help you feel balanced and vibrant all summer long—or anytime you feel that inner fire running a little too hot.
How Pitta Shows Up in the Body & Mind
Pitta is made up of the fire and water elements. It governs digestion, metabolism, hormones, and our ability to focus and get things done.
When balanced, Pitta brings:
- Strong digestion
- Clear thinking
- Confidence and ambition
- Glowing skin and steady energy
When imbalanced, Pitta may show up as:
- Skin rashes, acne, or inflammation
- Loose stools or acid reflux
- Irritability or frustration
- Perfectionism or criticism
- Feeling “burned out” or overly intense
Ayurvedic Tips to Cool & Calm Pitta
1. Adjust Your Diet
Pitta thrives with cooling, hydrating, and slightly sweet, bitter foods and bland foods.
Favor:
- Fresh fruits (like melon, berries, apples)
- Steamed greens (dandelion, kale, spinach)
- Herbs like cilantro, fennel, mint, and coriander
- Cooling grains like basmati rice and quinoa
- Room-temp or warm (but not ice cold) meals or drinks
Avoid or reduce:
- Spicy, fried, or fermented foods
- Coffee, alcohol, and overly salty snacks
- Ice-cold drinks or raw meals in excess (these can weaken digestion)
Try this:
1. My Ayurvedic Kitchari blend is a simple, grounding dish that’s easy to digest and naturally calming. Add fresh herbs and veggies for a seasonal spin.
2. Shift Your Lifestyle
Slow down, especially midday when the sun is hottest. Let go of over-scheduling, over-exercising, or over-achieving.
- Move your workout to early morning or early evening
- Incorporate restorative yoga, yin, or walking in shade
- Surround yourself with water: baths, lakes, ocean, or even foot soaks
- Get adequate sleep, and prioritize quiet, cooling routines before bed
3. Soften the Senses
Pitta can be sharp—so balance that with softness. Gentle sounds, calming scents, flowing clothing, and soothing touch all help ease inner heat.
Try:
- Cooling herbal teas like mint or chamomile
- Bath salts with cooling herbs
- A custom self-care kit with crystals, aromatherapy, and body rituals for your dosha
- Journaling, meditation, or lying in the grass to literally “chill out”
4. Breathwork for Cooling + Clarity
The mind runs hot with Pitta excess. Breath is one of the fastest ways to regulate it. Try:
- Sheetali Breath – Curl your tongue and inhale slowly through the tongue like a straw. Exhale through the nose. (If you can’t curl your tongue, try sipping in through the teeth instead.)
- Nadi Shodhana (Alternate Nostril Breathing) – Balances both hemispheres of the brain and reduces mental heat.
Practice either one for 3–5 minutes when you feel mentally or emotionally overheated.
5. Support Emotional Balance
Excess Pitta can manifest as anger, comparison, and perfectionism. Gently invite in compassion, fluidity, and play.
- Avoid overworking and excessive screen time
- Take a break from intense conversations or social media
- Journal your thoughts, and practice letting go of control
- Spend time in nature, especially near water or greenery
Want Support with Your Summer Reset?
Here are easy ways to cool down, reset, and return to balance:
- Read more about pitta dosha on the blog here
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Order a Custom Summer Self-Care Kit
Each kit is intuitively curated to support your current needs—may include crystals, bath salts, body care, teas, and seasonal wellness items.
Click here to request your custom kit → - Book a Tiny Tune Up- If you are needing instant gratification with something you've got going on, ask me a question and get a video response with a mini action step or practice for you.
In Closing
Balancing Pitta isn’t about avoiding the heat—it’s about supporting your body and mind through it. With the right tools, you can flow through summer feeling clear, calm, and connected to your natural rhythm.