TCM Tips to Stay Cool & Hydrated this Summer.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Summer is associated with the Fire Element, the Heart, and the Feelings of Joy and outwards expression. The goal during the Summer is to support to body’s natural ability to regulate heat while protecting fluids and energy.

Eat Cooling & Hydrating Foods: Favor foods that help clear excess heat and replenish fluids such as watermelon, cucumber, celery, coconut water, mint, crysanthemum, mung beans, pears, melons, green tea.

Move with the Season: Summer is a yang season-active and expansive. It’s easy to over exert ourselves resulting in depletion of fluids and qi. Consider: Staying cool by swimming, gentle movements like qi gong or restorative yoga, and exercising during the cooler parts of the day.

Stay Hydrated & Avoid Creating Internal Heat: Limit foods that create excess heat, especially if you’re already prone to feeling warm and have a fire constitution. Avoid excess alcohol, caffeine, spicy foods, excess sugar, red meat, and fried foods.

Prioritize Rest & Relaxation: The heart is associated with the emotion of joy & excitement. Too much can injure the heart. Excess stress, overstimulation, and lack of sleep can contribute to internal heat leading to depletion of yin and fluids. Prioritize naps this Summer, time in nature especially water, meditation, and time to do nothing.

Summer is an expansive and exciting time!

Key issues during Summer is dehydration, unsettled blood due to heat, and mental instability. In TCM, the heart is home of the spirit, and blood houses the shen/mind. Hence why supporting the blood is so essential in TCM to our overall health and well being.

Maintain balance this Summer with continual hydration & balancing excitement with rest!

Cheers!

Jenny