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

We all know what it’s like to endure a “Baltimore summer.” Hot and humid days remedied by secret swimming holes. But this is no ordinary summer. Get to know Summer in the time of Covid to better understand yourself and others. 

Summer: a season of joy.

Summer is a time to nurture our creative energies and enjoy the abundance that surrounds us, as well as “the fruits of our labor.” The extra hours of sunlight give us a boost for projects we’ve likely been putting off. But it’s also the Fire element, which rules the summer season, that gives us extra fuel and illuminates our inner being as well as our external world.

Summer is the season of growth and maturation. With ripe and picked crops, now it’s time to enjoy our bounty and share our abundance at outings. It’s also a time to get outside and enjoy recreational activities, gather at parties and barbecues, and walk with friends. Summer is truly the season about connecting with our community.

However, with so much potential activity, it’s important to find a balance between action and being. And as this is the most yang time of year, adding yin activities so that you don’t “burn” yourself out is a must. Try spending time outside and/or in nature: sit on your porch, swing in your hammock, relax on the beach, wade in the water, or camp outdoors. Allow the earth to nourish you and recharge your battery pack.

The Fire element.

According to TCM, the Fire element is considered to be the spark from which all life derives. Associated with the emotion of joy, when one’s Fire is in balance, there’s an overflowing enthusiasm for life. However, an excess of Fire can create hyper-excitability and restlessness. A deficiency of Fire can lead to depression and apathy. 

Symptoms associated with imbalances in the Fire element include the following:

  • Excessive perspiration or lack of perspiration
  • Rashes, hives, or hot skin eruptions
  • Sleep disturbances, insomnia, and restless sleep
  • Palpitations or an irregular heartbeat
  • Restless, agitated, or explosive energy
  • Inappropriate laughter
  • Anxiety, irrational fears and phobias

Pandemic days.

As if finding balance within the excessive summer heat isn’t enough, these days feel particularly layered, heavy and difficult as they counter summer’s essence:

Joy. We wear masks on our face to protect ourselves and others, and in doing so hide our joy. 

Community. We create space through social distancing, and when there’s not enough space to do so, we’re divided by plexiglass. We’re seeing our friends and family less as we know any sort of gathering is risky. And instead of meetings, we take Zoom calls. All of which hinders our ability to connect with others.

Activity. We’re holding off on outdoor recreation and vacation as we take extra precautions with travel. Even “staycations” are tough as businesses take extra precautions in offering goods and services, creating more demand and less availability. Such restrictions interfere with our typical summer plans and activities.

If you’re feeling dissatisfied, stressed, anxious, or overwhelmed – no wonder! But there are things you can do to lean into the season during the time of Covid.

A few tips to help be in balance with the Summer season.

To do:

  • Drink lots of water and other fluids.
  • Wake early, retire later, rest at midday.
  • Add pungent flavors to your diet.
  • Refrain from anger, keep calm and even-tempered (anger is a hot emotion, stay calm and chill!).
  • Get outside and be in nature.
  • Channel your creativity: take up an old hobby or start a new one, make improvements at home, even if it’s just bringing an old chair back to life.

To eat:

  • Fruit:  Apple, lemon, kiwi, watermelon, orange, pear, pineapple, tangerine
  • Cooling foods: Cucumber, Belgian endive hearts, spinach, tomato, salads, yogurt, wheat, barley, fish, rabbit, mint, dill, cilantro
  • Drinks: Lots of water, watermelon juice, green tea (“it disperses summer heat and can expel toxins, cool the heart fire, calm the mind, remove heat from liver and gallbladder, and relieve stomach and lung.”)
  • Combos: Mint and Chrysanthemum both aid in cooling the body and skin and also mildly supports liver function. If you are feeling adventurous, you could combine these as a tea and add a pinch of honeysuckle to create a lovely floral tea to keep you cool.
  • Avoid: Hot and dry foods such as coffee, excessively spicy foods, ice cold foods like ice cream since they cause the digestive system to slow down

And of course, now more than ever, in these pandemic summer days: get acupuncture to keep your yin/yang and the Fire element in check. If you’re feeling the heat, quiet your fire in one of our clinics or at a pop-up event. We’re here for you. Book here.

Credit:

Summertime! Chinese Medicine and the SummerSeason by Acufinder

Staying Healthy in Summer According to Chinese Medicine by the American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine at CIIS

Summer by Chinese Medicine Living