SUMMER HEALTH SUGGESTIONS
/Adana Kala (Uttarayana/Northern Solstice) is considered the time of summer, but also the time where digestion becomes weaker due to the centrifugal effects of the blood flow/circulation retreating from the digestive tract as a focus and moving towards the extremities, as does heat when it expands and becomes dispersive. This is the time of year when the sun cooks the fruits in the fields to make it easier for supporting digestion this time of year. The sun is actually causing depletion due to its increased potency, as per its Agni qualities. Whereas, the winter supports stronger digestion and has building qualities that can be expressed through the centripetal effects of the blood flow-focusing on the digestive system and cultivating heat to metabolize foods better.
It is also important to note that Ayurveda teaches us the concepts of Karana Karya (cause and effect.) What we do today can affect our tomorrow. This goes for good health and ill health practices. Diet (Ahara), Vihara (Lifestyle), including Nidra (sleep), and Vyamama (exercise) play important roles in how digestion can create proper health and improper health; enough of the causative factors can create the domino effect of health complications. With this, Ayurveda contains protocols and structures that are designed to alleviate the cause of suffering through what is known as Nidana Parivarjana (removal of causative factors) which is again rooted in diet and lifestyle practices. Ayurveda not only looks to remove causative factors in the present moment, along with reducing or alleviating any current disease formation, but it also thinks futuristically to ensure that what is removed or alleviated now does not come back years from now. This is one of the main reasons why Ayurveda is the science of life and longevity. In considering all this, it can be said that in some cases it is only a matter of time (based on constitution and genetics, even karma, if that is what is believed) until the past catches up.
Here are some suggestions to attend to the little things and help to prevent the bigger things:
Rest/Sleep: Avoid staying up late. Ideally, 10 should be sleep time (not just bedtime.) This will help reduce inflammation from accumulating, along with reducing dryness from occurring. This will also help regulate metabolism for the next day so that it is more efficient and proper. Getting to bed earlier can cool the body down more easily, in general. Make sure the bedroom is adequately thermoregulated and ideally on the cooler side.
Diet: Ensure you are eating per your hunger cues, which can be individualized and range from 3 meals a day, to two, in healthy states. Furthermore, ensure that dinner is not eaten past 8:00pm, lunch between 10-2, and breakfast by 8:00; or, if you’re on the two meal a day plan then around 11:00 am, and 5/6:00pm. Minimizing or avoiding snacking if possible.
Exercise: should ideally be either done before 10 am or before sunset. Never supplement meal time with exercise! Additionally, for proper tissue outcome to occur as per exercise regimens, this depends very much on the quality of sleep and quality of diet practiced. Over-exercising during the summer, even producing extreme sweating can be very depletive for the body. The idea of a no pain no gain mentality does not flourish in Ayurveda. Additionally, the idea of pushing oneself to drench sweat is not ideal and has long-term negative ramifications on health.
Sun Exposure: Avoid long periods of direct sun, and avoid direct sunny times of the day. It can seem that direct sun exposure can produce short-term and immediate results in the appearance of health, but long term it can seem to be harmful.
Hydration: Hydrate per your sweating output. Hydrate properly more with electrolyte-based beverages over just plain water. Hydrate per your job demand. For instance, if you work outside, hydrate more. If you work inside, hydrate less. Hydrate per your thirst cues.
Napping: Midday/Afternoon napping, can be indicated in many cases. Just be mindful of how long you nap. Also, consider if you have upper respiratory issues or heart issues that you are not laying completely down to sleep in the afternoons. Semi-reclined, or upright can be better. Siestas are generally welcomed, but Ayurveda has a long list of who is indicated for daytime sleep, contraindications, and indications.
Alcohol Consumption: Speaking of hydration! Alcoholic beverages are not about hydration. They further cause dehydration. Ayurveda suggests either minimizing alcohol intake or avoiding it completely. Wine, in particular, is not ideal during the summer but on specifically rainy days and even during “rainy seasons” wine can be supportive of proper digestion. Quantity is also important to consider.
Sexual activity: This can be generalized and understood that excessive sex during the summer can be depletive and affect strength and immunity, either immediately after or long term, even into the following seasons. Notice your energy levels. Some of this can be assessed per an individual’s constitution and strength (bala) but this may not last long if this becomes a practice that eventually can be depletive. Ojas would fall under this category.
Clothing: should be ideally natural fibers as fibers that are not natural do not thermoregulate the body properly. Not to mention that the chemicals that are synthetic fibers can have a negative effect on health as the skin is an organ of absorption and anything put on the skin can be taken into the body for the liver to process (not process.)
Slow Down: Do you ever notice when you travel to countries/cultures that are dominated by heat that things tend to be slower down there? One of the reasons for this is that increasing speed can also increase heat, which is friction and this friction can be tiring. Therefore, slowing down reduces the expenditure of energy, which is more conservative by nature, and is more cooling. Additionally, this slowing down is influenced by the parasympathetic nervous system. Whereas, speeding up can increase sympathetic response and have a heating effect. Take time to smell the roses!
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DISCLAIMER: This information is meant for educational purposes only. Any changes in lifestyle should be reviewed with a qualified practitioner and primary care physician if you are currently under their care for specific conditions.