In view of rising temperatures across the country, the Directorate General of Health Services, in coordination with the Ministry of Ayush, has issued a comprehensive public health advisory recommending traditional wellness practices to combat heat-related illnesses.

As heatwave conditions continue to prevail in several parts of India, the Ayush Vertical under the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, in coordination with the Ministry of Ayush, has issued a comprehensive Public Health Advisory on Extreme Heat/Heatwave for the current summer season. The advisory, released on May 18, 2026, provides detailed guidance for the general public, vulnerable groups, employers, workers, and participants in mass gatherings.

According to the advisory, infants, children, pregnant women, the elderly, outdoor workers, and individuals suffering from chronic illnesses such as heart disease and hypertension are particularly vulnerable during heatwave conditions and require special care and monitoring.

The advisory incorporates traditional wellness and preventive measures from various AYUSH systems. The Ayurveda section recommends cooling dietary practices, intake of hydrating beverages such as buttermilk, coconut water and lemon-based drinks, and use of traditional preparations including Nimbukaphala Panaka (lemonade), Amra Prapanaka (raw mango sharbat) and Chincha Panaka (tamarind drink) to help regulate body temperature during extreme heat.

The Siddha and Yoga sections advise the adoption of cooling refreshments and breathing techniques such as Sheetali Pranayama, along with gentle yoga practices to reduce heat stress. Sheetali Pranayama, a breathing technique that involves curling the tongue and inhaling through the mouth, is known to have a cooling effect on the body.

The advisory further encouraged people to include hydrating and cooling food items such as cucumber, watermelon, lime, musk melon, ash gourd and tomatoes in their daily diet during the summer season. Citizens have also been advised to regularly follow weather updates issued by the India Meteorological Department and take necessary precautions during heatwave alerts.

The advisory urged citizens to remain alert for symptoms of heat-related illnesses such as dizziness, headache, nausea, altered mental status, high body temperature, dehydration, seizures and loss of consciousness. Heatstroke has been identified as a medical emergency requiring immediate medical attention, with the advisory recommending prompt use of emergency helplines 108 or 102 in severe cases.

Mental health helplines across India report a 90% increase in anxiety-related calls during summer 2026, with heat-induced stress affecting productivity, relationships, and sleep. Psychiatrists now recommend five natural stress relief hacks rooted in traditional Indian practices that work without medication side effects.

Key Details – The Heat-Anxiety Connection

Heat increases heart rate and cortisol levels, triggering the body's stress response even without psychological triggers. Dr. Umesh Prakash from   explains that summer temperatures above 38°C activate the same neural pathways as actual threats. Traditional stress management techniques are uniquely suited to counter this physiological response.

Natural Hack One – Chandranadi Breathing for Cooling

Close the right nostril with thumb and breathe only through the left nostril for 11 minutes. Left nostril breathing activates the parasympathetic nervous system, lowering heart rate by 10-15 beats per minute. This technique specifically counters heat-induced sympathetic activation. Practice when feeling first signs of summer irritability.

Natural Hack Two – Brahmi Leaf Under Tongue

Place two fresh brahmi leaves under the tongue for 15 minutes before swallowing. Brahmi contains bacosides that reduce cortisol production by 35% within 30 minutes. Leaves absorbed sublingually enter bloodstream faster than any pill. Available at most nurseries and herbal stores for ₹50 per plant that grows indefinitely.

Natural Hack Three – Evening Walk on Bare Earth

Remove shoes and walk slowly on natural ground (grass, mud, or sand) for 20 minutes after sunset. Direct contact with earth, called earthing, transfers negative electrons that neutralize stress-related free radicals. Studies show earthing reduces cortisol by 50% and normalizes circadian rhythms disrupted by summer heat and artificial light.

Natural Hack Four – Jaggery Cardamom Chewing

Keep a small piece of jaggery with crushed cardamom in your mouth for 10 minutes. Chew slowly without swallowing. Jaggery provides glucose that stressed brains consume rapidly. Cardamom's aroma activates the limbic system's calming pathways. This sensory technique interrupts anxiety spirals within two minutes of starting.

Natural Hack Five – Five-Minute Journaling Before Bed

Write three things that went well today and one emotion you feel without judgment. Do not write problems or solutions. This practice, adapted from ancient Indian swadhyaya tradition, rewires the brain's negativity bias. Summer heat magnifies minor irritations into major stressors. Structured positivity practice reduces this magnification within two weeks.

Official Statements

"Medication treats symptoms but not the heat-stress response," says Dr. Alka Saxena, . "These natural techniques address the physiological pathway from heat to anxiety. In our outpatient department, patients practicing these methods reduced anxiety scores by 65% without medication."

Impact Analysis

India's anti-anxiety medication market grew 40% in summer 2025, with concerning dependency rates. Natural stress management costs nothing after initial learning and has zero side effects. Mumbai-based corporate wellness program introduced brahmi leaves and earthing breaks, reporting 50% reduction in stress-related absenteeism within three months.

What Next

The Ministry of Health will include natural stress management in workplace mental health guidelines starting June 25. Try left nostril breathing for 11 minutes when you feel summer irritability rising. Within five minutes, you'll notice your heart rate slowing and your mind clearing.

Foot Soaking: The Forgotten Summer Hack That Works Instantly

Simple Practice Cools Core Temperature in Under Ten Minutes

While air conditioners remain expensive, a bucket of cool water provides an equally effective natural health hack for beating summer heat instantly.

The Science Behind Foot Cooling

Feet contain specialised blood vessels called arteriovenous anastomoses. These vessels allow rapid heat exchange. Cooling feet directly lowers whole body temperature.

Step-by-Step Cooling Protocol

Fill a bucket with cool tap water. Add no ice unless temperature exceeds 40°C. Immerse feet up to ankles. Remain seated for 10-15 minutes. Repeat as needed.

Comparison to Other Cooling Methods

Research shows foot immersion cools the body three times faster than drinking cold water. It also avoids the digestive shock that cold beverages can cause.

Best Times to Practice This Hack

Mid-afternoon provides maximum benefit when body temperature naturally peaks. Post-exercise foot soaking accelerates recovery. Before bedtime foot cooling improves sleep onset.

Traditional Wisdom Meets Modern Science

Ayurveda has recommended pada abhyanga and foot cooling for centuries. Modern thermal physiology research now confirms these ancient practices work perfectly.

Accessibility for All Income Groups

Unlike air conditioning, foot cooling requires no electricity or expensive equipment. Every Indian household already has a bucket and access to water.

Next time summer heat feels unbearable, try this simple hack. Soak your feet in cool water for ten minutes. You will feel the difference within minutes without any side effects.