Summer time is finally here in New England . . . and with it those hazy, hot, and humid days that seem to sap the energy right out of you. In Chinese Medicine we look at the climactic factors of Summer-Heat and Dampness, and how they can affect the body.
Summer-heat tends to injure the Yin of the body. This can lead to symptoms of aversion to heat, sweating, headache, thirst, dark urine, and dry lips. If symptoms become severe it can lead to delirium, slurred speech, and unconsciousness, or basically as we call it in Western terms, heat stroke.
Summer-heat is more often combined with Dampness in our New England summers. The addition of Dampness can lead to symptoms of sluggishness, heavy feeling limbs, fuzziness in the head, nausea, poor appetite, low energy, and dizziness. Just imagine a hot muggy day when the air feels thick, and I’m sure you have experienced these symptoms.
Here are some tips to help you feel more comfortable in the summer months.
- Stay hydrated: We all know this one, but it’s better to drink room temperature or slightly cool beverages. Too cold can damage digestion leading to loose stools and discomfort.
- Try taking a nap in the afternoon: We actually need less sleep in the summer time. This is the time of Yang energy and more daylight, so it’s natural to rise earlier and stay up later. But a little siesta mid-day, during the hottest part of the day, can help to revive us.
- Exercise: it’s always good to move the body! Try to get out for your daily exercise early in the morning or later in the evening to beat the heat.
- Eat cooling foods: I’m not talking about ice cream . . . I’m talking about foods that have post-digestive cooling effects on the body. Examples of these foods are: watermelon, lemon, cucumbers, mint, radish, lettuce, broccoli, seaweed, and mung beans. Avoid dairy, sugar or icy cold foods; these can damage your digestion and lead to more dampness in the body.
- Minimize your exposure to air conditioning: Your body is great at self-regulating its temperature, but it needs time to adjust to seasonal changes. Going in and out of an air conditioned space never lets your body adjust. Embrace the heat and it won’t feel so bad.
- Get acupuncture: Acupuncture is great at helping your body to regulate and stay in balance. It helps your body to function well in any season!
To experience the benefits of acupuncture and Chinese medicine, contact me for an appointment today!