Keeping your cool

Increased water intake is always a good idea when spending time in the summer heat; however, this can be overdone.

by Khayriyyah Savannah — 

As the summer sun heats up, it is time to tune in to the body’s signals for staying cool on the inside. Signs of internal heat (inflammation) can range from headaches and sore muscles, to anger and impatience. Nurturing your natural balance of fluids or moisture (yin) can help you keep your cool.

Start by adding more juicy fruits like mangoes, melons and grapes to fresh spring salad greens. Adding lemon juice to salads and spring water helps keep the body alkaline, which means less inflammation. Cucumbers are a wonderful cool and crunchy snack in the summer. Oats, brown rice and quinoa are good choices of moisturizing grains.

Increased water intake is always a good idea when spending time in the summer heat; however, this can be overdone. Too much water can overtax the kidneys and deplete ionic minerals.

If you are producing a normal amount of urinary output (average four to five ounces every three to four hours), you are most likely getting enough fluids. Everyone’s body is different, so tune in to your own system when measuring your fluid intake.

Coconut water is a wonderful cooling beverage for the summertime because it keeps the electrolytes in balance, without all the sugar and other additives of sports drinks. Remember, the more you sweat, the more you need to replenish fluids and electrolytes.

When coming out of the heat, cool the body with Epsom salt baths and herbal teas. Chrysanthemum flowers make a wonderfully light and cooling beverage, and help move heat toward the surface by inducing sweating.

My favorite summer sun tea recipe is a handful of fresh herbs, including mint, lemon thyme, sweet basil and rosemary. Place the herbs in a quart-size jar with spring water for one to two hours, and enjoy a refreshing and energizing summer delight.

Treat yourself to a yoga class in a cool studio and exercise your mind-body connection. Hear what your body is telling you and keep your cool.

Khayriyyah Savannah, MBWP, CYT, LMT, Integrated Therapies for Women and Every Bodies’ Yoga. 480-544-6495.

Reprinted from AzNetNews, Volume 31, Number 3, June/July 2012.