Three weeks ago things felt a little differently around here. I actually remember thinking what a mild spring we’d had. It was about that point I checked the weekly forecast and sure enough. The spring would officially end on the next Monday and transition into full-blown face-melting summer. One minute we’re enjoying a light breeze and some bluebonnets, the next we’re opening the car door with oven mitts.

Thinking back you might have noticed:

• Your sleep has gotten lighter, or maybe you’re waking up at 4am with a to-do list in your head
• Your skin feels warmer or reacts more easily
• You’re feeling sharp—mentally, emotionally, maybe even with your tone of voice
• A general “too muchness” in your head or belly

Those are all somatic signals that Pitta—the fire dosha in Ayurveda—is ramping up and that you may need to bring a little more balance into your routine.

So… what is Pitta, exactly?

In Ayurveda, Pitta is the energy of fire and transformation.

It governs metabolism, digestion, focus, drive, and ambition.

I love it. In fact, it’s one of my dominant doshas.

It’s the part of you that gets things done, tells the truth, solves problems, and organizes that drawer no one else dares to open.

But high Pitta? That’s a different story.

When fire takes over, it’s intense and left unbalanced can cause a cascade of challenges. Imbalances might feel like:

• Overheated or flushed
• Easily frustrated, critical (including self-critical)
• Hangry (the classic)
• Burning indigestion or acid reflux
• Perfectionistic, over-controlling
• Prone to headaches or skin irritation

Pitta Times of Day (Ayurvedic Clock Style)

Ayurveda also maps Pitta energy to certain times of day:

• 10am–2pm → Digestive fire is strongest
• 10pm–2am → Mental fire kicks in (and that second wind is real—best not to chase it)

Keep a journal just noticing how your energy shifts throughout the day and overtime. If you’re pushing hard through these windows without enough rest or grounding, Pitta will eventually make itself known. Usually through tension in your muscles, sarcasm as a love language, or inexplicably rage-texting your partner because they didn’t preheat the oven.

Balancing High Pitta: Less Fire, More Flow

Here’s how to bring the heat down—without losing your edge.

Slow your roll (literally): Opt for grounding yoga practices over power flows. Think: forward folds, gentle twists, long exhales. Skip the HIIT for a minute.

Favor cooling, hydrating foods: Coconut water, cucumbers, mint, sweet fruits, basmati rice. Lay off the spicy salsa and triple-shot espresso (you knew that was coming).

Try bitter + sweet tastes: These balance fire. Think leafy greens, aloe, fennel, rose tea, or even a spoon of raw honey.

Somatic cues + breathwork: Place one hand on your low belly, one on your chest. Inhale slowly through the nose, exhale through pursed lips. Feel the softening. Bonus points if you do it in the shade.

Skip the scroll at 10pm: That Pitta fire wants to finish a project at midnight. Kindly decline. Dim the lights, turn off the decision-making, and go take an ice bath instead.

Pitta is powerful—but it needs to be paired with softness.

If you’re feeling the seasonal shift and finding yourself just a little extra, welcome. You’re not off track. Your body, your mind and soul are just trying to keep up.

Lean into simple, soothing routines.

Don’t underestimate the power of a cool cloth, a quiet room, or a deep breath taken before responding to the next political post you see.

Because balance doesn’t mean extinguishing your fire. Just tending it with a little more care.

Catch you between the chaos and the calm.

Like this? 👉 Follow @retreatforward for more Ayurveda-meets-modern-life tips and somatic tools that don’t require incense or enlightenment. Just small shifts, more choice, done consistently.