Yang is in Full Swing: 3 Energy Alignment Tips for Summer
Yang is in full swing! Summer is the Fire phase of the 5 element cycle of Yin and Yang – Fire, Earth, Metal, Water and Wood.
Each phase has corresponding organs in the body. Summer is the season of the heart and small intestines – the Yin and Yang of Fire. The small intestine breaks down the food we consume and transfers it into the blood, and the heart circulates this energy around the body.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the heart is home to our thought energy, so the alignment of the heart and small intestine will affect how you feel emotionally.
The Fire element increases energy, expansiveness, movement and activity. Summer is a time to nourish the spirit and focus on finding joy in the small things. It’s also a time to go outside and socialise!
When our Fire energy is balanced, we feel calm, energised and joyful. But with every Yin and Yang phase, imbalances may occur, which will affect you in different ways.
How do you spot a Fire imbalance? Here are the signs.
Signs of Fire imbalance:
Restlessness
Anger
Insomnia
Depression
Mania
Energy depletion
Headaches
Brain fog
Rashes
Dry nasal passages
Inflammation
Constipation
How to stay balanced over summer
Want to balance your energy during the summer? You can stay aligned with nature and your body's natural flow by making a few adjustments.
1. Honour the boost in energy
We experience a boost of energy during the Fire season, so make the most of it! Honouring a change in your energy will actually supercharge you for the season.
Energy-boosting tips:
Spend time outside
Catch up with friends and family
Increase your heart rate with cardiovascular exercise
Do activities that bring you joy
2. Eat more cooling foods and drink during Fire Season
In TCM, foods have energy properties. Cooling foods are suggested during Fire season to cool down the heat in organs and replenish body fluids. Cooling foods don’t necessarily have to be cold, the cooling happens during digestion.
Cooling foods:
Apple, lemon, kiwi, melon, orange, pear, pineapple and tangerine, cucumber, spinach, tomato, yogurt, wheat, barley, black and green tea, mineral water, mussels, rabbit, duck, seafood, mung bean, mint, coriander, seaweed and sprouts.
Cooling drinks:
Filtered water (room temperature is best), Pu-erh tea, chrysanthemum, peppermint teas, green tea (disperses summer heat, expels toxins, cools the heart fire, calm the mind, removes liver and gallbladder heat and soothes the stomach and lung).
3. Stock up on seasonal produce
The earth produces foods at particular seasons for a reason – our bodies need them. Try eating as many seasonal foods as possible. Summer is the perfect time for fresh fruit and veg, particularly in fresh salads.
Seasonal fruit:
Apricot, avocado, banana, strawberry, royal gala apple, rockmelon, cherry, currant, grape, honeydew melon, passionfruit, pawpaw, watermelon, nectarine, lychee, mango, mulberry, nectarine, Valencia orange, peach and plum.
Seasonal vegetables:
Avocado, climbing beans, beetroot, broccoli, cabbage, capsicum, carrot, celery, corn, cucumber, daikon, eggplant, leek, lettuce, okra, onion, parsnips, peas, potatoes, pumpkins, radish, silver beets, spring onions, sweet corn, tomato, turnip and zucchini.
Seasonal herbs and spices:
Basil, chervil, chilli, chives, coriander, dill, garlic, ginger, lemongrass and mint
Bonus tip: Avoid these foods
There are certain foods that will slow you down and cause disharmony in your Fire organs.
Try to avoid the following:
Dry foods, coffee, acrid spices, goat, lamb, greasy food, and anything ice cold which can abruptly disturb the stomach’s digestive energy.
Keep tabs on your energy levels during summer. If you’re feeling low in mood or restless, see what you can change, or seek out advice from your acupuncturist.
Do you feel imbalanced? We can help rebalance your body flow and align you with the season. Book your acupuncture appointment today.