Signs of Pitta imbalance include:
-quick temper
-angry outbursts
-heartburn
-feeling frustrated because other people don't do things the "right" way
-trouble falling asleep at night
-anxiety related to your job
-acne
-skin rashes
-intolerance to hot environments
-perfectionism
-constant analytical thinking
-high blood pressure
-inflammatory conditions
-autoimmune disorders
Remember that you don't have to be a Pitta-dominant person to develop a Pitta imbalance. Here are ten things you can do to help balance Pitta:
1. Don't try to diagnose yourself when something seems "off". Pitta is the dosha of intelligence and learning. Pitta makes us believe that if we learn enough, we can diagnose and treat ourselves. Don't bother; we can't. Since it is impossible to evaluate yourself objectively, it is best to leave it at cultivating self-awareness. Educate yourself, collect a team of health professionals that you trust, and let them guide you. This approach results in less stress on your part, which in turn cultivates better health.
2. Favor vegetables over fruits, and avoid red meat. Favor whole grains, full-fat dairy, and fresh seasonal produce. Avoid raw, spicy, and pungent foods. Avoid protein shakes and powders - your body doesn't recognize these things as food.
3. Practice coloring pictures of animals, people, and places, using the "wrong" colors. Pandas can be purple and green, and it's okay to color outside the lines.
4. Do something that makes you laugh everyday, and don't take yourself too seriously. It's okay if sometimes you wear mismatched socks or forget to lint-roll yourself before work. Embrace your humanity.
5. Release control and practice trust.
6. Open up to new ways of perceiving and doing things. Other people have valid opinions and methods that you will miss out on learning if you always insist on doing things your way. If others request your advice or opinions, offer them. If not, let it be.
7. Learn to be okay with people assuming you don't know something, and don't correct them unless it is absolutely necessary. It usually isn't.
8. Donate money anonymously to the charity of your choice.
9. Learn to be still. Practice Yoga Nidra: this is a guided meditation practice. You can find CDs and YouTube videos easily online, or attend a class.
10. Sip tea made with 1 teaspoon each cumin, cardamom, and fennel seeds throughout the day.