There is an imbalance in Chinese Medicine we call, “Lack of Joy.” The imbalance can be seasonal and is more commonly experienced in the summer months. The name says it all: ‘lack of joy.’ One can feel flat, disconnected and, at times, downright sad. This experience can feel incongruent with the seasonal shift. Winter is over, shouldn’t the blues have lifted? Everyone else seems happy? Why aren’t you happy?
If any of this feels familiar, a seasonal acupuncture session can be a lovely way to help open a tight chest and empty a burdened mind. In addition, consider the following to move towards a more content summer.
Here are 6 Ways to Lighten Summer Sadness
Forget to hibernate this past winter? Or perhaps you’re running on an empty tank after so much change and angst this spring? Fatigue can be cumulative. A rested person is creative and playful.. If you’re feeling generally run down and apathetic, it’s not too late to catch up. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, we think of summer as a mini-winter in which we can sneak in little hibernations such as an afternoon nap or the ability to sleep in with lighter schedules.
Connect. In most traditions, feeling connected to others and part of a community is as important as food, air and water. Ever notice how you feel “full” after an evening with friends? Or after long stretches of work? Or when you spend a long period of time with a new-to-you person? Make it a priority to be with loved ones who know you well. It’s good medicine in the summer months. And, never underestimate the potency of a good phone call or letter in the mail.
Enjoy your coffee and beer. Both coffee and beer in small doses can be a great summer tonic. Their bitter taste has a medicinal property and is best tolerated in the summer months. That said, more than one a day and these beverages will have a very different effect causing dizziness, headaches, insomnia and anxiety. Water often and a beer on Fridays is a good rule of thumb.
Pleasure vs. Joy. If you’ve been feeling joyless, it may be helpful to point out that joy is a big emotion – some might say it’s reserved for ‘big life moments’ such as the minutes following the birth of a baby or the completion of a long-term personal project. Pleasure on the other hand comes daily, even hourly, in the shape of an awesome sandwich, flowers in bloom, or getting a card in the mail. Pleasure can be generated with relative ease. Go for pleasure.
Get distracted. Think about office environments you’ve worked in – longer lunches, shorter days and more time around the water cooler are not uncommon in the summer months. We naturally start to lose focus and become more distracted in the summer. Too much work and not enough play can weigh us down. Enjoy less structure this season and welcome more diversions.
Acupuncture, of course. Acupuncture can help address constitutional imbalances that lead to certain seasonal mood swings. In fact, getting acupuncture at least once a season is not only a great tune-up, but helps bring alignment with the season’s rhythm and flow.
