22/08/2024
Each season in Traditional Medicine corresponds to an element, with Summer being associated with FIRE🔥. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) aims to restore and maintain the balance of our body’s elements. When our bodies are in harmony, our organs function smoothly, and our minds are calm and adaptable.
The objective during the predominantly Yang season of Summer is to preserve and nurture our yin energy. Taking steps to stay cool in body and mind can help reduce excessive yang energy in the body. Summer is linked to the heart, joy, love, and warmth, yet, as per TCM teachings, an excess of yang energy can lead to various issues, such as:
Anger/irritability
Hot itchy skin conditions
Heart palpitations
Insomnia
Excessive talking
Anxiety
Excessive sweating
Luckily there are many things you can do to maintain a cool body and a clear mind:
Consume cooling spices and foods like watermelon, cucumbers, coriander, ripe fresh fruits, courgettes and other light foods. Avoid hot and dry foods such as fried and spicy foods. Limit alcohol and refined sugar.
In TCM, cold/ice foods should generally be avoided as they can deplete energy and slow down digestive function, hindering the body’s ability to expel excess heat.
Prefer herbal teas and cool beverages over ice-cold drinks, and limit coffee intake due to its pro-metabolic nature, which can be overly stimulating for some.
Activities to balance the Fire element of summer:
Balance the Fire element with Water, whether through swimming or cool showers (not too cold to avoid the body trying to warm up).
Exercise during cooler parts of the day to prevent overheating, including light yoga and gentle breathing exercises.
Wake early and spend time outdoors to optimize light exposure, benefiting brain function and hormone regulation.
Last but not least consider booking in for a Full Bloom Tuina massage, to improve energy balance by eliminating stagnation and enhancing qi flow.
Embracing these practices can help you stay cool during the lingering summer heat. Bookmark this post for a helpful reminder next year!