Taking time to observe the natural cycles of the earth can give one great insight into the health and wellness of one’s own body. As we enter the summer months, we need to take care to recognize how this period of heat affects our internal balance and modify our daily habits with the aim of building more vitality.
In TCM, the Summer Solstice is the most yang day of the entire year. This is because as the longest day, we are exposed to more sunlight. If one looks at the continuum of yin and yang, yang is related to light, energy, warmth, and movement. Whereas, yin is related to darkness, substance, cold and solidity. During the annual cycle, the world naturally shifts from yang to yin and back again in a constant flow. This natural cycle also effects the human body as we find ourselves staying up later, waking early and wanting to be more active in the summer months.
The Summer Solstice also marks the time period connected to the fire element. The organ systems related to fire are Heart and Small Intestine (as well as Pericardium and Triple Burner). The Heart is considered the emperor of the body and is thought to house our mind and spirit. It is connected to the emotions of joy, elation, compassion, and loving-kindness. Yet, when out of balance can be seen as mania, anxiety or nervousness. Its sensory organ is the tongue, and it is related to laughter. As the main organ of the circulatory system the color related to fire and the Heart is red (think of blood). The taste associated with fire is bitter.
These hot summer months can bring joy, play and deep connection with loved ones when in balance, but out of balance a person may find themselves feeling a bit manic as we try to accomplish more during these longer days. One may also find themselves prone to heat-stroke, insomnia, dream disturbed sleep, and tachycardia (rapid heart rate). Take time to enjoy friends and loved-ones, but make sure not to burn the candle at both ends.
Daily practices that nourish the heart-fire are waking early and working in the garden. Join a singing group or attend a concert (Or just sing out loud! If you are shy do it in your car or in the shower). Cool excess heat by spending time at the river or going rafting. Make sure to build time in your day to take a siesta. Nourish creativity, and embrace your inner child by finding time to play.
While the summer months are most connected to the fire element, because this element is at its zenith, it is a common practice to nourish and strengthen the opposite element of water to create a healthy balance. This makes common sense when you think about it. Our bodies are already in a state of extreme yang during the summer, so to bring balance we must cool the body and strengthen the yin. This can be accomplished by eating and drinking cooling foods. Being well hydrated is essential during the summer. Furthermore, while TCM does not usually encourage eating energetically or physically cold foods, which are thought to weaken the organs related to digestion, summer is the one time when these foods are encouraged.
Salads, raw fruits and veggies, especially tomato, watermelon, strawberries, and cherries (which are all red and therefore beneficial to the heart) can be consumed with abandon. Green tea (on ice if you wish) is a great way to cool and open the heart, and it aids digestion. Adding cucumber, mint and chrysanthemum to water can also cool and refresh. Other foods that are considered energetically cooling include apples, endive, fish, dill, cilantro, barley, and spinach.
It is also important to make sure not to create too much heat in the body during these months as that can lead to deficiency of yin (adding too much heat in the body will damage the bodies natural sources of cold and substance). So make sure to avoid too many bitter, hot or spicy foods such as coffee, lamb, game meat and chile. Cooking methods to avoid are barbequing (yep, you read that right- while this is a common practice during summer months, the high heat of barbequed foods is thought to create far too much heat during these already warm days), soups or stews. Instead opt to eat lightly sauteed or steamed veggies and ceviche. Or take advantage of the only season where TCM condones the ingestion of raw food, and eat fruits and veggies right out of the garden.
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