As humidity and heat of the late summer swells, cicadas sing, the summer frenzy yields to a rhythm of activity and rest, many of us experience fatigue and digestive discomfort. Why is that? Let’s take a closer look at the Earth element, strongest in the late summer, and what it means for us from a Chinese Medicine perspective.   

Earth: The Element of Late Summer

Earth represents abundant nourishment, unconditional love, and thoughtfulness. This season asks of us–what are we ingesting, on a body-mind-spirit level, that truly nourishes us? Are we slowing down to savor our meals, are we eating whatever we can grab on the go?  Are we over-thinking things and fretting over problems? Are we able to relax enough to enjoy the fruits of our harvest in our lives? Are we engaging in self-care practices, or scrolling social media? The season of Earth invites us to slow down, take in what is truly nourishing, and be content and leisurely in our actions. 

In balance, this season of slowing down and savoring the fruits of our labor can be a gift before Autumn comes.  Out of balance, the Earth element, represented by the stomach and spleen/pancreas, becomes bogged down with “damp”, leading to feelings of heaviness, fatigue, and fogginess. Damp in Chinese Medicine can be thought of as indigestible aspects of our experience, whether it’s a difficult situation that we can’t quite process, ruminating thoughts, or byproducts of food that is difficult to transform into nutrition for our bodies. Damp can also be understood as resistance to change, and the emotion associated with Earth out of balance is Worry. 

Often the heaviness we feel in this season can be internalized, leading to slow digestion, bloating, irregular elimination, and overall lethargy. When we experience these symptoms, here are some things to consider so we can align with the strength of the Earth element:

  • Savor meals. Take time to eat while sitting relaxed, doing nothing else. Chew and enjoy the flavors of your food, allowing some time to digest. 
  • Set an intention. Consider what you’re ‘ingesting’, including what you are reading, watching, who you spend time with. Ask, is it nourishing?
  • Reflect. What brings “sweetness” to your life? Do you allow yourself time to enjoy the sweetness of life?
  • Eat seasonal food. This is food you can find at the local farmer’s market, that’s fresh from this season’s harvest. Along these lines, avoid greasy, spicy or heavy foods that are difficult to digest and extract nutrition from.

Our Favorite Tip for a Balanced Late Summer

Most of us spend a lot of time “in our heads”—planning, organizing, thinking, and worrying. This constant mental processing can impede digestive function, as the digestive organs can be drained by over-thinking in Chinese Medicine. A weak digestive system can make us feel foggy-headed, and an overanalyzing, worrying mind can impede our assimilation of food. Spending time outside of our mind chitter-chatter can help us to become more nourished, both literally and figuratively.

As this is not the most productive time of year for planning or starting new projects, allow the vacation season to linger a bit. Take day trips, leave Saturdays unscheduled, and find other leisurely ways to stay out of your head.

Don’t worry planners and thinkers, Fall, with its clarity and focus is around the corner.

With contributions from Brian Dougherty and Sarah O’Leary.