In so many parts of the world, health isn’t something you “make time for” — it’s something you live.
In India, where my friend Vikram Bhonsle grew up, wellness isn’t a weekend project or a January resolution. It’s part of the daily fabric — woven into the meals you cook, the way you wake up, even how you wind down at night.
Somewhere along the way, we in the West have drifted from that. We’ve traded food as medicine for fast fixes, and morning rituals for morning rush. We’ve turned wellness into something you buy instead of something you are.
But in Ayurveda — the 5,000-year-old science of healing — balance is the point. It’s not about chasing extremes or following rigid rules. It’s about working with your body, your environment, and the season you’re in.
And right now?
Here in the Southeast, we’re in the season of Hot As Hades. The air is thick, the heat is relentless, and between back-to-school stress and business deadlines, we’re already running on fumes.
So when I sat down with Vikram to talk about his childhood, it felt like opening a window into a slower, steadier way of life.
“It wasn’t labeled ‘Ayurveda’ when we were kids,” he told me. “It was just life. My grandmother soaked seeds in water overnight, added turmeric to everything, used Ashwagandha in recipes. She never relied on modern medicine unless she had to — the kitchen was her pharmacy.”
Those simple daily habits kept his family healthy in the sweltering Indian summers, and they still hold up today — with science to back them up.
Here are 7 Ayurvedic-inspired ways to cool your body, calm your mind, and restart your wellness — whether it’s mid-year, back-to-school, or just time for a reset.
1. Start Cool in the Morning
(Ayurveda cooling foods) In Ayurveda, mornings are for grounding and calming — not spiking your system with heat or stress. In the summer Skip the boiling coffee first thing and opt for cooling herbal teas like mint, fennel, or tulsi (holy basil). These herbs don’t just taste refreshing — they help regulate your body temperature and lower inflammation. You don't want to skip the coffee? Then perhaps just consider focus on grounding and of course, hydrating first – which is my cardinal role – then finding a way to work in some cooling foods in here morning meal.
📚 Science says: Tulsi contains adaptogens that lower cortisol and support mental clarity (NIH).
2. Hydrate Like It’s a Ritual (Ayurvedic summer remedies)
Vikram remembers going to bed with seeds soaking in water — fennel, coriander, cumin — which his grandmother turned into a cooling morning drink. These seed waters help digestion, reduce internal heat, and replenish minerals lost to sweat. I know I just said hydrate, but I can't underscore this enough!
💡 My ADHD hack: Keep a visible pitcher of infused water on your counter so hydration becomes automatic.
3. Load Up on Cooling Foods (pitta-pacifying foods)
Think watermelon, cucumber, mint, coconut water, lightly steamed greens. Ayurveda calls these pitta-pacifying, meaning they reduce the “fire” in your system. They’re also naturally high in water and electrolytes, which keeps you from feeling drained. An extra bonus of this is that these foods are good gut beauty foods!
📚 Science says: High-water-content produce supports thermoregulation and reduces dehydration risk (Harvard School of Public Health).
4. Spice with Intention (anti-inflammatory Ayurveda spices)
Did you know Turmeric is Ayurveda’s golden child for a reason — its active compound, curcumin, is a powerful anti-inflammatory and brain booster. Black pepper increases its absorption by up to 2,000%.
“Every home I knew had turmeric in the kitchen,” Vikram said. “It wasn’t a supplement — it was part of the food.”
📚 Science says: Curcumin supports mood regulation and cognitive function (Frontiers in Psychology).
5. Cool the Mind, Not Just the Body (Ayurveda mindfulness practices)
Heat doesn’t just tax your body — it can make your mind restless, irritable, and unfocused. Ayurveda treats mind and body as one, so calming practices are as essential as cooling foods. Try breathwork, short meditations, or a gratitude list.
💡 ADHD tip: Start with 5 ( or 7) minute short stillness "sprints" - Set a timer, get comfortable and do your best just to breathe and be in Observation. Make it a game and keep the segments short to remove the overwhelm and barrier.
6. Make Lunch the Main Event (digestive health Ayurveda)
Ayurveda teaches that your digestive fire (agni) is strongest at midday, so that’s when you should eat your largest, most nourishing meal. Choose seasonal vegetables, cooling grains like barley or quinoa, and healthy fats for sustained energy.
7. Rest Before You Collapse (Ayurveda evening routine)
Don’t wait until you’re completely spent to recover. Ayurveda encourages early evening wind-downs: a cooling shower, a gentle walk, light stretching. These practices help your body shift from “go mode” to “restore mode.” The modern day version of this includes putting away any electronic devices at least an hour before bed.
Why This Matters Now
These aren’t exotic, complicated steps — they’re everyday practices that cultures around the world have used for centuries. The difference is, they never stopped weaving them into their lives.
We don’t have to reinvent wellness — we just have to remember it.
XO Chelsea
if you want to know more about my love for Ayurveda & want to "play the game" and learn about more healing herbs- check out my game of wellness