These languid, sultry summer days were first labeled “dog days” by the Greeks. The ancient belief was that when the “Dog Star”, Sirius, the brightest star in the Canis Major constellation rose at the same time as sunrise, hot weather was guaranteed. This was seen as a time of turmoil, when things went awry: dogs went mad, food spoiled, floods occurred, and disease spread.
Photo by Alejandro Lopez
Shakespeare references this singular time of the year in Henry VIII, “The dog days now reign” and in Romeo and Juliet, “For now, these hot days, is the mad blood stirring.”.
In Ayurveda (an ancient Hindu medicinal practice) summer is the season of fire, or pitta.
Pitta is a fast moving, transformational element that oversees digestion, metabolism and energy. It guides our biochemical reactions. It is important, when the days become long and hot, to pay attention to pitta and not create imbalance by aggravating the fire element.
Here are some easy-to-use tips for keeping pitta in balance.
Diet
Choose cooling foods. Cooling foods include milk, ice cream and butter. Check that the product is free from added hormones. Avoid or limit yogurt, cheese, miso, tempeh and alcohol (these fermented foods are aggravating to pitta). Coffee is an acidic beverage that increases pitta, so limit your intake or add a good quantity of milk.
Sweet foods (such as grains, potatoes, yams, and carrots) are also cooling. Avoid sour foods (vinegar, pickles) and acidic fruits (tomatoes, oranges, grapefruit, pineapple). Bitter (dark leafy greens) and astringent (legumes, cranberries, walnuts, and rhubarb) foods are helpful.
Avoid chili peppers and cayenne pepper. No need to increase your fire during the blazing summer days, and hot foods can lead to an even greater imbalance, e.g. when we grab an icy cold drink like beer to quell the spicy kick.
Remember to drink liquids (not too much, around 6-8 cups a day) at room temperature. The tendency is to go for the cold but that just unbalances the digestion.
This might be the time to consider trying out a vegetarian or vegan diet since meat is considered both heavy and acidic.
Exercise
The best time to exercise during these dog days is early in the morning. Flowing, balancing activities like restorative Yoga, Tai Chi, and Qi Gong performed outside with bare feet on soft grass are very nourishing. Avoid doing physical work or exercise in the midday sun. Also, be attentive to staying out of windy, blustery areas.
Photo by Duncan Stonebridge
Home
It is a good idea to make sure clothing and bed linen are light and fresh. Changing out dark fabrics for lighter ones, heavy rugs for brighter, and switching incandescent bulbs for fluorescent (whiter light) can be wonderful, simple ways to insure a calmer time during the hot days.
Adding some water features to your home often helps achieve balance. Try getting a desk top fountain or a lovely translucent glass bowl in a watery hue like aqua or sea green.
Fresh flowers and well-maintained houseplants can contribute reviving energy to your home or office.
De-cluttering is very beneficial. Removing, old, worn, or unused items from your environment will lift your spirits and contributes to a free-flowing Qi.
Qi or chi is held by the Chinese to be life force or life energy; the literal translation of Qi is breath. It is important to keep Qi moving, free-flowing. Stagnant Qi creates blockages and, for example, in the body stagnant Qi can be seen as pain, stiffness, or other imbalances.
And don’t forget to open your windows and doors in the morning and evening to move the air. Like the energy in our bodies, the air in our homes can get stagnant too. Move your home’s Qi.
Mind/Spirit
Remember to take time to meditate, listen to soothing music. Gently dedicate yourself daily to cultivating patience, and an even temper.
Give yourself a simple self-massage with olive, sunflower, safflower or coconut oil. Or visit a massage therapist. Remember, the energy of the practitioner is an important part of the experience, so make sure you chose someone who is calm, peaceful and unruffled.
Dō-in is a practice of self massage that incorporates meridian stretching and breathing techniques. Michio Kushi, the macrobiotic author and teacher, wrote an excellent book called The Dō-In Way that explains this gentle exercise.
Anger and criticism, both self-directed and towards others, sarcastic humor, and a demanding, overly judgmental attitude are all unbalancing choices.
Don’t overwork yourself. Make sure you have leisure time, and keep the concept of life/work balance in mind.
Photo by Nathan Siemers
In these simple ways you will make sure your “dog days of summer” are fun, easy and enjoyable.
Further Reading
- The Dō-In Way by Michio Kushi
- Qi Gong for Beginners: Eight Easy Movements for Vibrant Health by Stanley D. Wilson
- The Harvard Medical School Guide to Tai Chi: 12 Weeks to a Healthy Body, Strong Heart and Sharp Mind by Peter Wayne
