Hello, Summer: Welcoming Joy & Connection

Welcome Summer, Heart & Fire!

According to the solar calendar, May 6th is the first day of Summer. This movement marks the beginning of a process that will result in the perfect balance of the Summer Solstice on June 21st. In Chinese Medicine, a new ‘external season’ signals a new ‘internal season.’ The change of seasons always generates seasonal health conditions (which I observe in my clinic every single year) and opportunities for growth in body, mind and Spirit.

What’s Summer all about in Chinese Medicine?

The season is filled with abundant energy, long days and sunshine. This is the most yang time of year. Summer is about expansion, growth, activity and creativity. 

Element: Fire

Color: Red

Nature: Yang

Organs: Heart, Small Intestine

Emotion: Joy

The Summer is associated with the Element of Fire, and the organs of the Heart and Small Intestine. Fire is symbolic of maximum activity or greatest Yang; nature at its peak of growth, and the motion is upward.

The Heart is the Emperor of the body and is associated with Joy, or lack thereof. When it is in balance, our heart spirit radiates into the world and we have effortless control that flows from intuition; the mind is calm and sleep is sound. When the fire element is imbalanced, we may either lack joy (depression) or have an excess of joy (mania). Agitation, nervous exhaustion, heartburn and insomnia are other indicators of imbalance in this area.

The Small Intestine is all about sorting the pure from the impure by burning away the mundane, which empowers transformation. It also helps us communicate clearly in the world. Imbalance can look like indigestion or confused communication.

Now that it’s Summer, let your inner fire burn bright! It can propel you to tap into your deep knowing, create the new, destroy the old, and/or fly to heights you only imagined before. If you feel like you’re going too hard and burning out, remember to take it easy, drink or sink into water, quiet time, and eat cooling foods (see below for some food tips).

In terms of living in accordance with the Summer season,, here are some concrete Chinese Medicine tips for health:

You can go to sleep later than usual, while still waking early (less sleep is a-okay!)

Avoid getting angry or hold grudges, and uphold a joyful nature (smile even when wearing a mask)

Stay physically active and get your sweat on

You can have a more sex than usual, but be sure not to overindulge and deplete yourself (be safe, lovers!)

You can eat more raw and uncooked foods than usual, but remember not to overdo it and cool down your digestive fires too much (if you start to get loose stools or discomfort, reincorporate more warm and cooked foods)

Foods to incorporate into your Summer diet include melons, grapes, coconut, figs, cucumber, broccoli/cauliflower, spinach, avocado, eggs, crab, peppermint

By incorporating these guidelines, you’ll help to support your physical health and also safeguard against fatigue and illness in the upcoming Fall Season.

The change of Season is also an optimal time to receive acupuncture. Treatment enables you to transition more seamlessly, and helps your body, mind and Spirit acclimate to the new conditions and avoid illness.

* Art by Sarai Llamas, @saraillamas

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