Pitta can be an asset: Physically, pitta creates strong digestive fire, warmth, and vitality. Mentally, people with strong pittic constitution are intelligent, industrious, and efficient. But to their detriment, pitta-dominant people can also get overheated easily, sweat readily, and get irritable when hungry or frustrated. They tend to work long hours, push themselves hard, and often have perfectionist, critical temperament. This intense state of mind creates more energetic “heat” on top of an already hot physical system. Not everyone has a pittic constitution, of course, but stress, hot chilies, and even the summer sun can cause just about anyone to overheat, which may lead to excess pitta, inflammation, headaches, skin rashes, allergies, high blood pressure, or liver congestion. Below is a list of tips for keeping pitta in check:
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Eat food that is cool, dry, light, sweet and bitter: beans, green vegetables (especially bitter salad greens and cabbage family), sweet fruits, whole grains (especially oats and barley), and fresh dairy (in moderation). Strong pittic digestion can handle large amounts of raw food, which is cooling and balancing for excess heat.
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Cut back on heating foods and tastes: oil, salt, hot spices, fermented food (alcohol, vinegar), tomatoes, egg yolks, coffee, and red meat, as well as refined flour and sugar.
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Chill out! Take a break from mental work and stretch, breathe, walk, or create. Practicing yoga, taking a bike ride, spending a day in the mountains, singing, T’ai Qi are all great ways to shift your mind to a more relaxed open place.
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Exercise regularly at moderate intensity. Avoid being supercompetitive and stop before exhausting yourself.
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Use art, movement, and speaking to express yourself. Pittic intensity needs an outlet.
As you shine brightly on the outside this summer, I hope these tips help to keep you cool on the inside – Have fun!