Living with the seasons: Summer

The changes in the seasons constantly affect us, and our ability to cope with these changes impacts our health. The ancient Chinese acknowledge living our lives according to the seasons and its importance to our health. Summer is upon us and it’s time for growth and activity. Not surprisingly, summer falls under the fire element in Chinese medicine, and the correspondent organs are the Heart and Small Intestines.

Summer is the substance of life and has an outward energy. During this time, one might feel more compelled to be outside gardening, hiking, kayaking on Bow Lake, playing sports, and doing many other outdoor activities. Summer brings a tendency towards wanting to accomplish things and socialize with others. Summertime and heat increase circulation and our heart’s emotion – joy. Optimism might be in season.

In the Summer, our body heat tends to run closer to the surface, in order for the inside to be cooler. When exposed to too much heat, either from the environment and/or from foods, our bodies can easily overheat.

A person who has a tendency for excess heat tends to feel worse in the summer. One might feel tired, sluggish, impatient, have headaches, arthritis flares and hypertension. Avoiding greasy and fried foods, red meats, alcohol, sugar, caffeine and tobacco can help to better ride the season. In the summer, one may choose to eat lighter foods, including fresh vegetables, fruit, salads, grains, legumes, white meats, mung beans, watermelon and soybean sprouts. Chilies and curries are a good option to cause perspiration and cool the body. Mint, lemon balm, chrysanthemum, hibiscus, red clover, violet leaves, honeysuckle, borage, rosehips and green tea are all good options for summer drinks. In addition, hawthorn and longan nourish the heart and are also a good food for the season.

In Chinese medicine, moderation is key. Even though cooling foods are good summer foods, in excess they can cause poor digestion. Cooler foods are harder to digest, and too many of them can result in digestive issues. The same goes for iced drinks. Even though iced drinks are preferred by many in the west, they affect our body’s ability to maintain the hot caldron needed for optimal digestion, causing our digestive system to work harder. Our body must increase metabolic warmth in order to digest cold food and drink. If a person tends to feel cold, even in the summer, it is best to limit intake of cold foods and drinks, and eat cooked meals with spices such as ginger and cardamon, and drink warm teas.

Even though the summer’s outward energy draws us into being more active and doing more things, one should be mindful of overexertion and burn-out, to preserve our essence and reserves. For those who tend to have low energy, rest during the hotter hours of the day and take a siesta, eat well and moderate activity and exercise.

Dress for the hot weather, but keep in mind air-conditioned spaces. We live in a world of controlled environments, and big changes in temperature puts stress on the immune system. It is important to avoid sudden changes in temperature since they deplete our essence, metabolism and immunity. Take a sweater with you if you know you are going indoors into an in air-conditioned room.

By living with the seasons and being aware of our environment, while considering our individual needs, we maintain balance, protect our constitutional essence, and prevent illness. Take this time to be joyful with family and friends, the outdoors and the sunshine.

References:

Pitchford, P. (2009). Healing with whole foods: Asian traditions and Modern Nutrition. North Atlantic Books.

Tierra, L. (2003). Healing with the herbs of life. Crossing.