Ayurvedic Tips for Staying Balanced in a Minnesota Summer
As the long-awaited warmth finally graces Minnesota, we welcome bright skies, lakeside adventures, and time in nature. But with summer’s arrival also comes the predominance of Pitta dosha—the fiery, sharp, and intense energy governed by the elements of fire and water.
In Ayurveda, each season influences our internal balance, and summer's heat can aggravate Pitta, leading to irritability, inflammation, digestive issues, skin conditions, or burnout. To stay cool, calm, and connected during the summer months, especially in Minnesota where the sun can feel intense and the humidity fluctuates, it’s important to adjust our lifestyle, food, and daily routines.
Here are Ayurvedic suggestions for embracing summer with balance and vitality:
🌿 1. Embrace a Pitta-Pacifying Diet
Focus on:
Cooling, hydrating foods: Cucumbers, melons, leafy greens, zucchini, coconut water, and sweet fruits like pears and blueberries.
Bitter, sweet, and astringent tastes: These help balance Pitta. Think fresh herbs (mint, cilantro), basmati rice, mung beans, and cooked leafy greens.
Cooling herbs & spices: Fennel, coriander, cardamom, rose, and mint all support digestion without adding heat.
Avoid or minimize:
Spicy, oily, and fried foods
Excess caffeine, alcohol, and vinegar
Acidic fruits like tomatoes, pineapple, or citrus in excess
🌞 2. Modify Your Daily Routine for the Season
Wake early, around sunrise, to enjoy the coolest part of the day. Gentle movement in the morning—like a quiet walk by the lake or slow yoga—can energize without overheating the system.
Midday is the hottest and most Pitta-aggravating time, so avoid intense physical exertion or heated discussions during this window if possible. If you nap, keep it short and in a cool, shaded area.
Evening routines can include grounding practices to cool the nervous system, like:
Applying brahmi or bhringraj oil to the scalp and feet
Cooling herbal teas (peppermint, chamomile, rose)
Journaling, gentle breathwork, or moon-gazing
🌺 3. Favor Cooling Self-Care Rituals
Abhyanga (oil massage) with coconut oil or sunflower oil helps soothe the skin and calm Pitta.
Sandalwood, rose, or jasmine essential oils can be used as natural perfumes or room sprays to keep the mind and senses cool.
Clay masks or aloe vera can calm sun-exposed skin.
Try cool water foot soaks in the evening with a handful of rose petals or mint leaves.
🧘♀️ 4. Breathwork and Movement to Cool the System
Avoid fiery practices like hot yoga or intense cardio in direct sun.
Instead, try:
Chandra Bhedana (Moon-Piercing Breath) or Sheetali Breath to release internal heat.
Slow, grounding yoga with emphasis on heart-openers and forward bends (like child’s pose, cat/cow, seated twist).
If you're drawn to outdoor activity, aim for early morning or dusk when the sun is gentler.
🌕 5. Sync with Nature
Connect with the Moon's energy—lunar rituals, slow nighttime walks, or moon baths help calm Pitta's intensity.
Spend time near Minnesota’s lakes, which naturally balance the fire element.
Grow or tend to pitta-pacifying herbs in your garden like holy basil (tulsi), cilantro, or mint.
🍃 Final Thoughts
Summer in Minnesota is fleeting and beautiful. Ayurveda encourages us to live in rhythm with nature, honoring the season while gently tending to our inner landscape. By incorporating these cooling, calming practices into your life, you can make the most of summer’s joys—without the burnout.
Listen to your body, rest when needed, and let this season be one of ease, presence, and renewal.
Written by Dorie Wicklund
Dorie Wicklund is a multifaceted wellness practitioner and coach dedicated to cultivating consciousness in others. She has been in the wellness field for over 20 years and has a wealth of knowledge in the areas of Ayurveda, Integrative Health, herbalism, nutrition, career and academic guidance, intuitive practices, and life and spiritual coaching. Dorie also has a deep understanding of energy healing modalities like Reiki, EFT, bio-fork tuning, meditation, and breathwork practices.