Take precautions and avoid suffering during summer

The summer season has begun. In this period, people suffer from an increase in body temperature, excessive sweating, depletion of energy, fatigue and more. Due to the rise in temperature, there have also been instances of people collapsing (due to heatstroke) and even losing their lives. To stay away from various summer-related ailments, everyone needs to take the following precautions.

1. Drink adequate amount of water or fluids throughout the day. If the urine is dark in colour, understand that you need to drink more water. Do not wait until you feel thirsty. Avoid drinking refrigerated water. Drink a glass of water before stepping out of the house in the morning. While going out, carry your own water bottle.

2. Do not drink a large quantity of water at one time; instead, sip it slowly. After returning from the heat, do not drink water immediately. Sit calmly for 5 to 10 minutes and then drink water.

3. Drinks containing sugar may be consumed; however, beverages with excessive sugar are difficult to digest and should preferably be avoided. If possible, include buttermilk or panha (Drink made by boiling raw mango) in the daily diet. Drink lime water or similar drinks prepared using cool earthen-pot water, or drink cool earthen-pot water infused with fragrant substances such as Vala (Vetiver), Rose, Parijat (Night-flowering Jasmine), etc.

4. Avoid eating outside. Do not consume excessive foods that are astringent, spicy, bitter, or extremely sour.

5. Wear loose-fitting, light-colour, and lightweight clothes (preferably cotton).

6. Stay indoors or in shaded places when the sun is strong.

7. As far as possible, avoid going out between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. To avoid the intense rays of the sun, wear goggles. Use an umbrella or a cap that provides shade from all sides. If a cap is not available, tie a large white handkerchief around the head and ears.

8. Some people have to go out or travel for the satseva of spreading Spirituality or other reasons. To avoid suffering due to heat, men should keep an onion in their pocket and women should keep one in their purse. Since onion absorbs heat from the body, it dries up in 3-4 days. Discard the dried onion and replace with a fresh one.

9. If facilities such as a cooler (air-cooling equipment) are available to maintain coolness in the environment, use them for a few hours during the day.

10. Staying awake late at night increases the Pitta (Bile) and Vata (Wind) doshas in the body. Therefore, avoid excessive night vigil. (This precaution should be observed in all seasons.)

11. Since excessive sweating takes place during these days, fatigue sets in quickly. Therefore, keep the intensity of exercise low.

12. Special care should be taken, based on the above points, for children below 1 year of age and for individuals above 65 years.

– Vaidya (Mrs) Sharvari Amogh Joshi, Valpoi, Sattari, Goa. (4.2.2026)