The In-Between Season: Late Summer Ayurvedic Tips

Late summer doesn't announce itself dramatically the way other seasons do. There's no crisp air or dramatic shift in light, but there is a subtle unraveling of the heat that's been building since June, and underneath it, dryness and restlessness beginning to stir. 

In Ayurveda, this is the handoff between Pitta and Vata season, and it's one of the trickier transitions to navigate because your body may be dealing with both at once. Let’s dive into the symptoms associated with an elevation in either dosha.

 

Lingering Pitta

Even as the season turns, residual heat can show up as:

• Irritability or a short fuse that feels disproportionate to what's actually happening

• Skin flare-ups — breakouts, rashes, or existing conditions like eczema getting more reactive

• Acid reflux, diarrhea, or a stomach that feels "hot," especially after meals

• General inflammation — joints, sinuses, or a sense of being internally overheated even when it's not that warm out

If this sounds familiar to you, trust your instincts: keep cooling. Favor sweet, bitter, and astringent tastes and stay generous with hydration. 

These signs could also be pointing to overworking during the most intense heat of the year. It may be your body’s way of telling you to slow down, rest, and recharge before we switch seasons again.

Early Vata Creeping In

At the same time, watch for the first signs that dryness and irregularity are moving in:

• Skin that's suddenly drier or flakier, even in spots that were fine a few weeks ago

• A low hum of restlessness — trouble sitting still, mind jumping between things

• Sleep that's lighter or more broken than usual, even without an obvious cause

These are easy to miss because they're subtle, and easy to misread because they can look like "just being tired" or "just stress." But catching them early is the whole point.

A little grounding now prevents a lot of scattered, dried-out Vata season later.

For those who are feeling excess Vata, now is the time to focus on warm, building foods, such as root vegetables, ghee, soups, and maybe even some good quality meat.

The Adjustment Period

If you are feeling some symptoms of both Vata and Pitta, the trick to this in-between window isn't picking a side. It's holding both at once.

Keep some Pitta-pacifying habits (cooling foods, avoiding excess heat/sun, calming the mind) while starting to introduce grounding, moisturizing practices (warm oil self-massage, more cooked and less raw food, steadier daily rhythms)

Ayurveda is always about tuning into your own bodies needs, and trying to align with the seasons as much as possible.  Pay attention to your own signals rather than a fixed calendar date — some years Pitta lingers longer, some years Vata arrives early. The most important thing you can do is find your own version of balance.

If you are struggling with chronic symptoms, we are here to help! Reach out to us by email, phone, or use our website to book an appointment. Health is the ultimate wealth.

08/15/2026