Sail Through Summer with Ayurveda

I love summer. It is a short season in the Berkshires, and it never disappoints—long days by the water, warm nights under the stars, sunburns, bug bites, and slow digestion. I’m here for it all.

Summer Impact: Digestion

In Ayurveda, six seasons are described in the classical texts, each with distinct qualities that affect our bodies and minds. Summer naturally slows digestion. Imagine your digestive fire as a furnace: in summer, the internal thermostat turns down so the body doesn’t overheat. In winter, that same digestive fire burns stronger to help keep us warm.

The beautiful thing is that nature gives us exactly what we need to support our digestive capacity each season. Summer offers an abundance of easy-to-digest fruits and vegetables—cooling, water-rich squashes, melons, berries, and cucumbers. This is the season for simple grain salads, fresh fruit salads, and sun-kissed herbal teas.

If you have access to farm stands or farmers markets, enjoy what is local and seasonal. On the hottest, most humid days, avoid heavy, difficult-to-digest foods whenever possible.

Summer Cold Infusion

I love making cold-infused teas in the summer. They gently support digestion without overheating the whole system.

Place 1 teaspoon of whole fennel seeds into a 1-quart mason jar filled with water. Cover and allow it to steep overnight. Strain out the seeds and sip throughout the day.

Summer Impact: Skin

My skin definitely takes a hit during the summer months. As I get older, I find myself favoring shade more than sun, but I’m still outside a lot—hiking, walking, boating, and spending time at the beach.

Honestly, if I could go back in time and tell my younger self one thing, it would be to seek more shade and wear more sunblock. But here I am, nearing 50 and trying to stay nourished.

If you are soaking up the sun all summer long, keep a few skin supports nearby:

Aloe: Cooling and nourishing. Use it on bug bites, rashes, and sunburns. Read the ingredients carefully and avoid products with alcohol. Or better yet, keep a large aloe plant at home and slice open a leaf to reveal the soothing gel inside.
Sunblock: I’m not here to recommend a specific brand, but find one that works for you. Mineral-based options are often best. Apply generously. If sunblock is not your thing, wear sun-protective clothing, spend more time in the shade, or simply enjoy moderate sun exposure a few days a week to support vitamin D levels. A little sun is beneficial; too much is not.
Rose Water: Use rose hydrosol as a cooling facial mist throughout the day. Keep it in the refrigerator for an extra-refreshing experience.
Coconut or Sunflower Oil: Oiling the skin is especially important in dry, hot climates. Coconut oil is naturally cooling, though it can feel heavy for some people. I keep sunflower oil in my bathroom as a lighter summer moisturizer. Oil your feet at night to encourage restful sleep and rehydrate after long days walking on salty sand. If the weather is especially humid, you may prefer sticking with aloe alone.

Summer Impact: Energy

The Berkshires are bucket-list territory. Maybe you live somewhere similar where summer feels packed with activities, adventures, and places to revisit and savor.

At the same time, summer sun can quietly deplete energy reserves. Ayurvedic texts often describe summer as a draining season, and by late September you may notice that the enthusiasm and stamina you had in June have started to fade.

As you move through the season, remember to rest well. Find a shady spot for an afternoon nap. Go to bed before 10 pm to catch the deepest, most restorative sleep, which happens before 2 am. Go easy on caffeine and favor cooling teas or coconut water instead. Exercise during the cooler parts of the day, avoiding strenuous activity in the intense midday heat.

And for those of you who love summer—welcome to the best season of the year.

For those of you who struggle through summer, no worries. Fall is right around the corner.