Living in Rhythm This Summer. How to Stay Balanced When Life Heats Up
Summer is a season of light, energy, and outward expression. But for many of us (especially busy women juggling work, family, and the constant shift in schedules) it can feel anything but balanced.
Maybe your routine has gone out the window, the heat is leaving you drained, or you're struggling to find a moment to yourself during these longer, hotter days. You’re not alone. Summer might look like the season of ease, but for a lot of us, it brings it’s own kind of stress.
In Yoga and Ayurveda, we’re encouraged to live in rhythm with nature. When we align our habits and self-care with the energy of the season, we feel more centred, nourished, and able to show up as our best selves. So if you're feeling a bit all over the place right now, here's your gentle invitation to come back into balance.
Let’s explore how to live in rhythm this summer, with practical, soulful practices that won’t feel like another item on your to-do list.
Why Summer Knocks Us Out of Sync
In Ayurveda, summer is governed by the Pitta dosha, made up of the fire and water elements. It's a time of intensity, heat, drive, and action and while that can be wonderfully energising, it can also lead to burnout, irritability, inflammation (both physical and emotional), and an overall sense of being “too much.”
Pair that with disrupted routines, more social invitations and hot, sleepless nights, it's no surprise many of us feel off-kilter during this time.
Tip #1: Soften Your Schedule
One of the most powerful ways to live in rhythm during the summer is to allow for flexibility, but with structure. Think of it as a “soft schedule.” Rather than clinging to the exact timing of your regular routines, can you give yourself anchor points during the day?
☀️ Morning: Wake a little earlier if you can, before the day gets too hot. Try starting your day with some gentle movement, like Yoga or spend a few minutes journaling.
🌿 Midday: Build in moments to pause, drink cool water, or even lie down for 10 minutes if your schedule allows.
🌙 Evening: Wind down with a calming ritual, this could be a short cooling Yoga sequence (see below), herbal tea, or legs-up-the-wall pose before bed.
A soft structure helps you feel held without the pressure of perfection.
Tip #2: Embrace Cooling Yoga Practices
Your body doesn't want fiery flows or long holds in the heat of summer, it’s craving softness, spaciousness, and relaxation.
Here are a few cooling Yoga poses you can add to your day, even if you only have 5 minutes spare.
Reclined Bound Angle Pose
This pose opens your hips and heart while gently cooling down your body. Support your knees with cushions if needed.
Legs Up a Wall Pose
This Yoga pose regulates your nervous system and brings the heat down from your head.
Seated Forward Fold
A forward fold helps you turn inwards and stretches your spine, while encouraging a reflective, cooling energy.
Sitali Pranayama (Cooling Breath)
A cooling Pranayama practice, that I love to use on a hot day! Curl the sides of your tongue inwards (if you can! Otherwise, make a small o shape with your mouth, as if you were sucking on a straw). Inhale through your mouth, feeling the cool air hit your tongue, exhale the warm air out through your nose. Try 5–10 rounds.
When practising Yoga in the summer, think of words like soften, yield, release. Summer is very high in Yang energy, so think about ways you can balance that energy out, by bringing more Yin energy in.
Tip #3: Ayurveda’s Wisdom for Summer Living
According to Ayurveda, balancing the fiery Pitta energy of summer means inviting in the qualities of coolness, calm, sweetness, and ease. Here’s how you can do that:
Eat for the season
Think cooling, hydrating foods like cucumber, mint, coconut, leafy greens, berries, and watermelon. Avoid too many spicy, oily, or fermented foods which can increase internal heat. Try to eat as locally and seasonally as possible, to ensure you are provided with all the nutrients you need, to stay well this summer.
Stay hydrated
Tea and Coffee can be quick dehydrating, so instead opt for room temp drinks or lightly cooled water with cucumber or mint.
Take moonlight walks
Moonlight has a cooling, calming effect on both the mind and body. Walking at dusk or after sunset can help you unwind (it’s also a more bearable temperature then too!)
Try self-massage with coconut oil
Abhangya is an Ayurvedic massage that is naturally cooling and calming. It doesn’t have to be with coconut oil, you could use your favourite moisturiser or even after-Sun.
Tip #4: Set an Intention Instead of a Goal
Summer invites us to be rather than do, but many of us feel pressure to make the most of this season, even when we're exhausted. Instead of setting goals, try setting a seasonal intention.
Here are some gentle prompts to reflect on:
What would it look like to slow down this summer?
Where am I burning out and where can I bring in more ease?
What brings me joy in this season?
How can I protect space for rest and reflection?
Try journaling with these prompts or simply take them into your morning walk or Yoga practice. Let your answers guide the way you structure your summer.
Tip #5: Make Time for Micro-Rituals
Your self-care doesn’t have to be elaborate or time-consuming. In fact, the most powerful rituals are often the simplest.
Here are a few quick ways to ground yourself this summer:
• Light a candle and sit quietly for 3 minutes in the morning
• Lie in Savasana for 5 minutes after work with your eyes covered
• Place your hands on your heart and belly, and breathe deeply before bed
• Keep a “cooling kit” in your bag (rosewater spray, peppermint oil, lip balm, herbal tea bag)
These tiny rituals anchor you when everything else feels unpredictable.
You Deserve a Summer That Nourishes You
The truth is, living in rhythm doesn’t mean doing everything perfectly. It means noticing the energy of the season and your own needs, and then responding with kindness and care.
You don’t need to overhaul your entire life to feel better this summer. Just a few thoughtful shifts can help you feel more grounded and at ease, try a slower, cooling Yoga Practice, some mindful breaths, a nourishing me or a cooling walk.
So if your summer feels messy or overwhelming, start small. Take just one cooling breath. Be mindful of where you are spending your energy. Enjoy these summer months, living in your own rhythm.
Join my calming and cooling Online Yoga Classes this summer! Find out more here