In the United States, many see the summer solstice as the beginning of summer. However, as far as seasonal energies go, this is really the pinnacle of summer energy. Consider yin (dark, feminine) and yang (light, masculine) energy. The summer solstice marks the longest day (yang = day) of the year and the shortest night (yin = night). Therefore, the summer solstice is the height of summer and yang / fire energy.
Our body works in conjunction with the daily, monthly and yearly cycles. We are healthiest when abiding by nature’s cycle. The most basic rule being stay active during the day and sleep at night. During the summer’s increase of yang energy and sunlight, we may find ourselves waking up earlier and staying up later, enjoying bright bursts of spontaneous activity, going out and socializing more. This is all normal and in harmony with the season. However, all of the extra light and activity can cause disturbances in sleep quantity and quality.
When treating imbalances and disharmonies in the body, East Asian Medicine believes in the benefit of a seasonal treatment approach. Treatments may vary based on time of year, because the body is affected by the world around us, and in turn, is a reflection of its environment. Seasonal acupuncture “tune ups” are commonly given to boost and support the body, getting it ready for the future season(s) to come.
Summer nutrition can also help balance the body. Generally speaking. East Asian Medicine is not supportive of fad diets and health trends. Instead, it relies on sensible, tried and true methodologies to support health, based on the season and a person’s health. Cooling, yin foods help to keep the body in balance, so it is prepared for the season ahead. During the hot summer months, we are naturally drawn to eating more raw food, which is great if you have a robust digestive system. Unfortunately, for many with a weaker digestive system, too much raw food is not a good idea and can leave them feeling bloated, gassy and generally uncomfortable. Lightly steaming, stir frying or grilling your veggies is preferable. If you have salad as a meal, try adding some warm protein over the top of your vegetables or add spices or a dressing that adds some heat.
Some examples of cooling, yin foods include watermelon, apples, apricots, lemons, kiwi, oranges, pears, pineapple, tangerines, cucumbers, spinach, tomatoes, wheat, barley, mint, dill, arugula, whole grains, asparagus, bamboo, bok choy, broccoli, cabbage, corn, white mushrooms, snow peas, summer squash, seaweed, mung beans, cilantro, kale, Swiss chard, bananas, radishes, celery, zucchini, dandelion greens and bitter melon.
When things heat up, slow your roll with the ice cold beverages and treats. Ice only feels satisfying in the moment, as your body needs to expend a lot more energy to heat up and digest your food, which can cause sluggishness, slower digestion, bloating and a general heaviness. Instead, drink watermelon juice. green tea, chrysanthemum tea. mint tea, coconut water or room temperature water infused with lemon, cucumber and / or mint.Since summer is the time of the most yang, we typically seek to balance the inner yang by boosting our yin energy. Believe it or not, the best time to treat your winter illnesses is during the height of yang, in the summer. Strengthening and balancing the body energy in summer leads to less colds and flu in the upcoming winter season. A buildup of excess yang caused by summer heat and more frequent activity feeds on body fluids and burns up yin. So extra effort must be made to build up and maintain body fluids and yin in summer to disperse, diffuse and balance the yang. People tend to get sick in fall and winter due to the loss of yin and fluids that occurs in summer. If we can keep our bodies in better balance throughout the summer, less colds and flu will result in fall and winter. And staying in harmony with the seasons overall can help prevent disease.
There are four common issues that occur during the summer months that acupuncture can help with greatly: allergies, skin rashes, insomnia and pain relief.
1. Allergies – The increased pollen levels present throughout the summer months often cause our immune systems to react. You may turn to antihistamines for relief; however, acupuncture can help stimulate the lymphatic system without the side effects that may occur with medication.
2. Skin Rashes – Heat rashes, bug bites or sunburns can make summer unbearable. You don’t have to suffer any longer because acupuncture can help with those ailments. By stimulating the lymphatic system, it enhances blood flow and allows toxins (e.g., mosquitos or poison ivy) to be released from the skin.
3. Insomnia – If your sleep schedule is unpredictable in the summer months, you may be dealing with insomnia. As the days get longer, you are most likely filling your time with outdoor activities that can potentially disrupt your sleep patterns. Acupuncture can target mind and body disturbances to help balance your sleep patterns.
4. Pain Relief – During the summer, you might take every opportunity to travel and explore different places, which could leave you feeling worn out. You may be encouraged to engage in activities that you normally don’t do during any other time of the year, such as jet skiing, swimming or hiking that can strain muscles you don’t regularly engage. Acupuncture can stimulate blood flow and heal the entire body, especially the sore areas.
So get out there and enjoy all the yang energy that summer has to offer, but remember to maintain balance to the best of your ability. And if you need a little extra help, schedule an acupuncture appointment or two.