Cool tips for Summer

Namaste friends, I can't quite believe that we have at last been blessed with a warm summer here in the UK, the first in years.  I keep pinching myself as I ride out on my bike in the morning and evening, enjoying the long warm days. We always seem to have a slight breeze here near to the coast, which really helps. Some of you though, might not be enjoying  all this heat especially if you are strong pitta dosha, or if  you live and work in London or other big cities. So here are a few tips to help you through the heat wave.

1. Reduce caffeine intake it only heats you up. try fresh mint tea instead.
2. Drink more water and sweet fruit juices, like apple, grape, mango or pineapple.
3. Lassi yogurt drink is best for it's cooling effect. Drink mid- morning or around 4pm instead of tea. 
4. Oil massage in the early morning before shower with coconut oil really has a cooling and balancing effect on pitta dosha. Start first with the head and use a hair oil, Bhringraj oil if you can find it.  Jiva's Bhringraj hair oil is my favourite one, it has a lovely sweet fragrance, reduces heat and promotes hair growth, and prevents greying of the hair. Then use coconut oil for the rest of the the body, work down to the feet. Try to use good quality coconut oil, Parachute oil is best and smells great too. 
5. Don't over do exercise, remember heat saps your strength, so take it easy. If you can include some yoga asanas in the morning, they will set you up for the day.  If you enjoy running  then go in the early morning or just take a walk, or bike ride. The aim is to relax and be outdoors but not to overheat.
6. Close the curtains and blinds during the day to keep the house cool.
7. Try to include swimming once or twice a week, or take a walk near water. 
8. Reduce salty, sour and hot-spicy foods, and alcohol they all heat you up.
9. Favour sweet, bitter and astringent tastes e.g; grains like barley, basmati rice, wheat, and pasta, oats.
10. Most Beans- and pulses aduki beans, kidney beans, mung beans and mung dal, black- eyed beans and chickpeas. 
11. Dairy- unsalted butter, ghee, milk, cream cottage cheese and paneer. 
12. Oils- olive oil, sunflower oil, walnut oil. 
13. Nuts- almonds and coconut. 
14. Seeds- pumpkin and sunflower seeds. 
15. Eat more Sweet and astringent fruits- apples, apricots, avocado, berries, cherries,  melon, date, figs, grapes, pears, watermelon.   
16. Vegetables- Alfalfa, asparagus, cabbage, artichoke, cooked beets, green beans, celery, cauliflower, broccoli, leafy greens, kale, lettuce, okra, peas, pumpkin, cucumbers, fennel and courgette.
17. Herbs & spices-Aloe-Vera juice, basil, cardamon, dill, fennel, ginger, saffron, turmeric, parsley, coriander, mint. 
18. Wear loose fitting clothing, natural fabrics such as cotton and linen are best. Exposing more of yourself, makes you feel hotter not cooler.
19. If you are outside in the sun wear a hat, sunglasses and plenty of sunscreen.
20. Choose light pastel shades of blues and greens, pinks, or white. Silver jewellery is also cooling, Strong reds and orange will also fire you up!
21. Visit an art gallery,  "The Summer Exhibition" is still on in London at the R.A.  Or  even look at a beautiful  art book.
22. When you get home take a cool bath with rose and sandalwood or lavender essential oils and put on fresh clothing. 
23. Go into the garden, or park listen to the birds, mow the grass and water the plants.
24. Pick a vase full of flowers, or buy lots of scented flowers and fill the house with them.
25. Burn  sandalwood incense, or diffuse essential like lavender, rose, geranium, frankincense, jasmine, ylang-ylang. vetiver, sandalwood and patchouli and spearmint.
26. Listen to relaxing music: Indian raga's are so soothing there are even rain melodies. Flute is particularly good.  Hariprasad Chaurasia is one of the all time greats.
27. A walk in the moonlight before bed. 
28. Avoid hot baths, take a cool shower instead.
29. Sleep in cotton or linen sheets avoid artificial fabrics, open windows and create a through draft. If it's noisy outside sleep with ear plugs for a perfect nights sleep and sweet dreams.......zzzzzz