Happy Summer Solstice Everyone! I don’t know about you, but I am grateful for the longer and warmer days and the colors of everything in bloom.

Summer is the season of the TCM Heart. This is more than just the physical heart functions of pumping blood like we think of from a Western perspective. 

In TCM, the Heart also has mental and spiritual responsibilities for the body as well. Mindfulness of supporting the Heart, has benefits for our overall health.

Summer Lovin’

Just like plants grow fast during the summer, people get more energetic and the body’s Qi and Blood become more vigorous than in other seasons.

Many  look forward to summer all year long because of the outward expression of expansiveness, movement and activity.

This is the most Yang of seasons and is ruled by fire. Hot weather gets people outside, improves moods and vitality is at its peak.

Making The Most Of the Season

With all of this fire and movement – think about treating this summer like a marathon and not a sprint. 

Remaining mindful of drinking plenty of fluids helps to control the heat – literally. Anger can be exacerbated by the heat so staying hydrated and as calm as possible is important for balance.

There is a reason in warmer climates people take siestas – rest during midday is beneficial. If your job doesn’t allow for this practice, try to wake earlier and go to bed earlier to balance your energy out.

All of the yang fiery energy needs balancing with yin to stay cool and hydrated.

Foods that are cooling and hydrating:

• Apricots

• Cantaloupe

• Watermelon

• Strawberries

• Lemon

• Cucumber

• Orange

• Aspargus

• Bok Choy

• Mung Beans

• Dill

• Mint

• Bean Sprouts

• Fish

• Duck

• Summer Squash

• Spinach

• Snow Peas

• Broccoli

Foods like red apples, grapes, pineapple have mild warm essence helping the small intestines process them improving organ function and metabolism.

This is in no way an exhaustive list, but do you see how some of the foods you naturally reach for in the heat at a BBQ are on this list?

Living in harmony with the seasons supports the mental, emotional and physical body for a long life of vitality and happiness.