We’ve had several months of pitta accumulating over these hot summer months. So, how do you balance pitta again after it’s accumulated?

Well, it’s about decreasing intensity, activity, and heat in all areas of your life–diet, work, relationships, exercise, or routine. You’ll also want to focus on increasing cooling, calming, stillness, sweetness, and appreciation/joy in every way possible.

Try these five suggestions in a consistent approach over two weeks to feel yourself cool off and balance pitta dosha.

1. Reduce spicy-hot food.

This includes garlic and ginger. Tapatio, Tabasco, jalapeños, cayenne, and even garam masala and mustard seeds are all examples of heating spices. Instead favor cooling spices such as dill, fennel, coriander, and mint. Cooling spices balance pitta.

2. Avoid spicy people.

As pitta rises, the increase in those experiencing pitta imbalances means an abundance of criticism and confrontation. Create safe boundaries from those in your life that bring in pitta energy in this way. We don’t want to run away from issues; rather we want to balance our own energy so we can approach others in a loving, compassionate, and less aggressive manner.

Surrounding ourselves with compassionate and supportive people is great this time of year, as is keeping interactions light.

3. Check your alcohol consumption.

While alcohol is a common component of summer celebrations, it is fiery; there’s a reason why it’s called firewater. Sweet wines or malted beers are the least aggravating alcoholic beverages.

4. Get in the water.

I mean get yourself in water as well as get water in yourself. Being in the ocean and pools are a perfect way to find balance in the heat of the summer. Staying hydrated (especially with some cooling cucumber, lemon, rosewater, or spearmint in your water) is an effective approach for cooling pitta. In addition, plentiful water intake helps to flush out toxins and inflammatory messengers in the blood. This can lead to a reduction in symptoms such as acne, skin irritation, and joint inflammation.

Urine is a good indication of proper fluid intake: if your body is hydrated enough, your urine should be clear.

5. Decrease the intensity.

Create bubbles in your life devoted more to being than doing. This is why vacations are seasonally appropriate: they help to balance pitta’s intensity. Sleeping in, curling up with some engaging fiction, or spending a day at the beach without the Internet are all simple ways to chill out and balance pitta.