Summer, According to Ayurveda (Why You Might Feel Snappy and Sweaty Right Now)

Why some of us thrive in the summer, while others wilt—and what Ayurveda says to do about it.

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Pitta Season Is Here. How Are You Feeling?

You don’t have to be an Ayurvedic expert to feel that something changes when summer kicks in. Maybe your skin gets a little more irritable. Maybe your mood does. Maybe we find ourselves more productive—but also more impatient. Hello, Pitta season.

In Ayurveda, summer is ruled by Pitta dosha—the energy of fire and water. It governs heat, digestion, metabolism, ambition, and intensity. When Pitta is in balance, it gives us clarity, drive, and sharp thinking. Out of balance? It can make us critical, overheated, inflamed, or just plain snappy.

Photo by Gary Cole on Unsplash

Why It Matters

Ayurveda reminds us that we are not separate from nature—we are nature. As the world outside heats up, so can the world inside us. And just like we wouldn't wear a wool sweater to the beach, our inner environment needs to adapt too.

That means it’s not just about what we eat, but how we live, work, move, and respond to stress.

A Quick Refresher: What Are Doshas?

According to Ayurveda, we’re all made of three primary energies—Vata (air + ether), Pitta (fire + water), and Kapha (earth + water). These doshas exist in each of us in different proportions. Most of us have one or two doshas that are more dominant, shaping how we feel, act, and respond to the world.

Each season is also governed by a dosha. Summer belongs to Pitta. And that means no matter what our personal makeup is, the heat of the season increases Pitta energy in everyone.

If we already have a lot of Pitta in our constitution, summer can tip us into imbalance more easily. But if we're more Vata—cold and dry by nature—the extra heat might actually feel great, at least for a while.

So… what is Pitta, exactly?

Think of Pitta as the friend who always has a plan—and a backup plan. She thrives under pressure, tells us the truth even when we don’t want to hear it, and organizes our birthday party down to the last perfectly labeled favor bag. She’s driven, perceptive, and sharp as a tack. But if she doesn’t get a snack or some shade soon, she will bite our head off.

In Ayurvedic terms, Pitta is made up of fire and water—giving her qualities like hot, sharp, light, oily, spreading, and penetrating. She’s responsible for transformation: in the body, that means digestion and metabolism. In the mind, it means focus, ambition, and discernment.

When Pitta is in balance, we feel clear-headed and motivated. We have strong digestion, healthy confidence, and a radiant kind of energy that lights up a room. But when there’s too much Pitta? That same fire can scorch.

We get overheated, irritated, inflamed. Our words get sharper. Our judgments get louder. We overdo, overwork, and over-control, often pushing ourselves (and others) too hard.

Pitta is the dosha most likely to say, “I’m not bossy, I just know what’s best.” We love her precision—but sometimes, we want to hand her a coconut water and tell her to please sit down.

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Signs Pitta Might Be Out of Balance

• Irritability or impatience

• Acid reflux or inflammation

• Skin rashes or sensitivity

• Feeling overly competitive or judgmental

• A tendency to push too hard and burn out

Of course, not all of this means we’re doomed to melt into a puddle of crankiness. These are just signals. Clues that we might want to cool down—gently.

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My Pitta Story (That Time the Sun Knocked Me Out Cold)

I was 19 or 20, walking around Montauk one summer—back when it still felt sleepy and charming, not like Manhattan relocated to Long Island. I had a hat, was dressed in linen, doing all the “right” things for the heat. But a few hours later, right after dinner, I felt nauseous, dizzy, and like I was going to pass out.

There was a doctor at the place I was staying, and he kindly checked me out. “You have sun poisoning,” he said. “Just put cold towels on your head and feet.”

I remember laughing—sun poisoning? Can the sun really do that?

I didn’t know anything about Ayurveda back then. I didn’t know I was Kapha-Pitta, or that my Pitta tends to flare hard in the summer. I just thought I was supposed to enjoy the outdoors like everyone else seemed to—lounging, sunbathing, frolicking in peak heat like it was no big deal.

But it was a big deal—for my body.

Even now, decades on I don’t do well in the summer. It’s worse now - I lose energy, get cranky, tired and miserable. Meanwhile, some of my family members and friends were thriving that same day—happy, energized, completely unbothered. That’s when I first got a glimpse of how differently bodies can respond to the same environment.

That’s why I love Ayurveda’s seasonal wisdom. It reminds us that how we feel in summer (or any season) isn’t random—and it definitely isn’t a moral failing if we don’t thrive in a season. It’s information. And it’s an invitation to make small, kind adjustments.

What Helps

Balancing Pitta doesn’t mean eliminating heat altogether. It means choosing what soothes instead of what scorches.

• Favor cooling, hydrating foods: think cucumbers, mint, watermelon, and basmati rice instead of wheat

• Avoid overly spicy, sour, or fried foods when already feeling hot

• Take breaks. Especially from screens, intense work, or too much sun

• Try gentle movement instead of intense workouts

• Build in pockets of ease, laughter, and lightness

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Take a Moment

How’s your inner fire right now? Are you feeling bright and energized — or a little scorched and snappy?

It’s a small question, but it can change how you move through the day.

Most of All...

Don’t take your own temperature by what someone else is doing. Just because everyone else is thriving on rooftop parties and spicy margaritas doesn’t mean you should too. Our body will tell us what it needs—if we listen. You don’t have to suffer through the heat just waiting for October to save you.

This season, that might mean softening the edges. Cooling the flames. And finding our own version of summer ease.

Photo by Morgan Nott on Unsplash

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Want Support for the Season?

I’m a certified Ayurvedic Health Counselor, and I work with people who are new to Ayurveda—or just want a thoughtful, personalized approach that isn’t overwhelming. Because sometimes, even when we know what’s good for us, it helps to have someone in our corner. Someone who can remind us what balance looks like, help connect the dots between our symptoms and the season, and offer grounded, realistic support.

Starting in August, I’m opening a few 1:1 Ayurvedic consultation spots. We’ll look at what’s showing up for you—maybe it’s sleep issues, low energy, irritability, digestive trouble—and talk through simple, diet and lifestyle changes to support your body and mind through summer and beyond.

And since we’re here, let’s not wait to start making small shifts:

• Try swapping spicy foods for fresh, cooling ones (like mint chutney instead of chili oil)

• Build mini pauses into the day—five minutes of stillness, a stretch in the shade, a moment to sip rose or fennel tea

• Prioritize rest that actually feels restful—not just screen time or zoning out

One Last Thought

Pitta gets a bad rap sometimes, but truly — she’s brilliant. She gets things done. She sees through the fog. But even brilliance needs rest. So, if your summer is feeling a little too fiery, consider this your reminder to cool down, slow down, and let ease be your superpower for a while. Your body—and everyone around you—will thank you.

Do you come alive in the heat, or are you part of the “counting the days till October” club with me? I’d love to know. Let me know in the comments.

Until next time,

Geetika