Divaswapna and other Ayurvedic remedies that will help you beat the summer heat

Highlighting something similar, Dr Dixa Bhavsar Savaliya, an Ayurveda expert, also took to her social media and shared three tips that you need to follow exclusively during the summer season.

 

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A post shared by Dr Dixa Bhavsar Savaliya (@drdixa_healingsouls) 

Day-Sleep (Divaswapna)

Explaining the benefits of day sleep, Dr Savaliya said that it is contradicted in Ayurveda in every season except summer. “Napping in the afternoon in cold places (indoors) is advised for Grishma Ritu as the weather is hot and the sun soaks most of our energy.”

Adding, she said that daytime napping during summer helps restore one’s energy (relieves mental and physical fatigue) and also increases kapha (moisture/ lubrication) in the body, which gets reduced due to dry and hot weather. “Best time to nap is 1-hour post meals (never right after meals), and the best direction is left lateral position (known as vama kukshi in Ayurveda) which facilitates optimum digestion,” she continued.

Concurring, Dr Vatsyayan said, “In summer, the days are longer, and the nights are shorter, so people start their mornings earlier than usual. These days people don’t get time to sleep during the day, but napping helps rejuvenate and relax the body. It is recommended to sleep for 30 minutes between 1 pm to 4 pm for maximum benefits.”

Sleeping under the moon

Unlike other seasons, Ayurveda suggests spending time outdoors (under the moon) at night during summers, informed Dr Savaliya. “Spending time outdoors at night (especially under the moon/ sleeping facing the moon) during summers relieves the exhaustion caused during the day. Moonlight cools the mind and body, and helps you have sound sleep. So, prefer natural moonlight over ACs and coolers to stay cool at night, if convenient,” she added.

However, Dr Vatsyayan said that this advice is not practical in this day and age. “Moonlight has a cooling effect on the body, but in modern days there is so much pollution, noise and less greenery outdoors — all of which can disturb sleep. Instead, try to make your bedroom as cool as possible. Wear loose fitted and breathable clothes at night.”

Vessels like earthen or clay pots have cooling properties. (Source: Freepik)

Drinking naturally cooled water and drinks

Ayurveda suggest drinking water that is naturally cooled by storing in mud/clay/earthen pots. “Water infused with lotus, rose, vetiver, mint, coriander is also advised during summers to beat the heat, prevent sunstrokes and stay cool naturally,” said Dr Savaliya.

Additionally, she mentioned that Ayurveda also suggests sipping on natural cooling drinks/sharbats like bilva (bael), fennel, mint, coconut water, sugarcane juice, sattu, gulkand and eat juicy cooling fruits like grapes, watermelon, pomegranate to stay cool.

Agreeing with this, Dr Vatsyayan noted that vessels like earthen or clay pots have cooling properties. “Moreover, drinking water stored in these pots also helps maintain the pH balance in our bodies as clay is alkaline in nature.”

She also advised to drink aam panna during summers to prevent sunstrokes as it rich in minerals like sodium, magnesium and potassium, which helps balance the electrolytes in the body. “Additionally, it is enriched with cooling spices like cumin, fennel, pepper and kala namak, which provides energy,” Dr Vatsyayan concluded.

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