Each season brings its own kind of energy. Sometimes the body can get out of balance, especially when transitioning into another season, causing some unwanted issues. In this BLOG, we are going to discuss how we can be mindful and align with the energy of summer.
In this BLOG, we will discuss...
Emotions associated with Summer
Cultivating more joy
Finding Balance this Summer
Eating for the summer season
How do I know if my body is out of balance this season?
Practitioners of East Asian Medicine acknowledged the benefits of living according to the seasons, thousands of years ago. But what does it mean to align with the energy of summer??
When we align with the energy of summer, we are connecting to the emotions associated with summer and cultivating joy, gratitude, and love. We are eating foods that are available and appropriate for the season. We are getting out and connecting with others, as well as taking time for ourselves and practicing stillness to support balance.
Summer is associated with the Heart and the fire element in East Asian Medicine.
What does this mean?... read on
Emotions associated with Summer
In East Asian Medicine, every season is paired with a set of organs. Summer is the season belonging to the Heart and Small Intestine. We will discuss the Small Intestine's role in Summer later in this blog. The Heart and the summer season are associated with joy, love, and connection. This is the time to connect with others...
Have fun. Play. Laugh.
Get together and go out to eat with people you care about.
Engage in whatever activity you enjoy... golf, pickleball, water aerobics, a knitting group.
Spend time with others and incorporate things that make you smile and that bring you joy.
Think about it...
What do you do for fun?
Who do you enjoy spending time with?
Who makes you laugh and smile?
It's the season to laugh, have fun, and acknowledge your sources of joy, and give gratitude.
Cultivating more joy
One of the fastest ways to cultivate more joy is by acknowledging what we are grateful for. You can write a gratitude list every morning. You can go for a walk and reflect on what you are thankful for. There's not one right way to do it. Do what works for you.
Practicing gratitude helps shift our mindset and our body from a fight-or-flight state (sympathetic dominance) to a rest-and-digest state (parasympathetic dominance). From this more relaxed and easeful place, our bodies are capable of self regulating and healing.
The universe supports whatever frequency, energy, and intention we put out there. When we give thanks for what we have, the universe supports us by giving us more joy, more things to be grateful for.
To learn more about Understanding the Fight-of-Flight Response, check out:
Finding Balance this Summer
Keep in mind, the energy of fire and summer is yang. It moves upward. This is what gives us the energy to get out and be active, to play and have fun. While everything in life contains both a yin aspect and a yang aspect, most things are usually more yin or more yang. The energy of summer is definitely more yang. We honor the summer energy by playing, having fun, and connecting with others. It is also important to balance that fire energy with yin practices. During summer, incorporate things that are more yin in nature to prevent burnout or exhaustion. Yin is all about contraction, going inward, taking time for yourself, and nourishing.
We can get out and have fun, take joy in doing things we love. Just remember to balance all that fire fun and excitement with stillness and replenishing. Practice slowing down this summer. Practice mindfulness and meditation. This can help keep the body in balance.
Eating for the summer season
East Asian Medicine is all about balance to support longevity and create a good quality of life. Summer is associated with the Small Intestine, as well as the Heart. We tend to see an increase in digestive issues this time of year. Where there is imbalance, problems can arise. In summer time, there is an excess amount of heat in nature. To counter this heat, we incorporate more cooling foods. Things like cucumber, watermelon, berries, and green tea are all cooling and appropriate to eat in summer. Foods such as spicy, greasy, and fried foods, as well as alcohol, can create more heat in the body. These foods can exacerbate symptoms like itching, diarrhea, and feeling angry. Incorporating vegetables, fruits, protein, and healthy grains is recommended.
While salad is a 'go-to' for many people all year round, now is actually the appropriate time to eat salads. Not everyday, but occasionally. The extra heat in summer time supports the digestive system to be able to process cold, raw foods. Still incorporating gently cooked vegetables, primarily, is easiest for the body to metabolize and extract nutrients.
How do I know if my body is out of balance this season?
When we are not living aligned with the energy of summer, we may notice signs of excess heat. Some signs that there could be excess heat in the body and things are a bit out of balance can include:
digestive issues
feeling a sensation of being warm or hot
red complexion
painful urination
BM with strong odor
itching
feeling angry
excessive hunger
excessive thirst
If you notice signs of heat in the body, your body may need a little support to regulate and get back to homeostasis.
Acupuncture can help support the body to function more efficiently and uses a holistic approach to restore balance in the body.
Curious about Acupuncture?
Reach out for a free 15 minute consultation to discuss your personal health and wellness goals. Book directly by clicking the button below.
Comentarios