Summer – Befriending the Fire

A time of Energy and Vitality

Summer represents the outward expression of energy. It is the most Yang of the seasons and is ruled by the Fire element. The colour is red, the emotion joy, and it is a time for growth, expansion, light and abundance. It is the manifestation of all we have been cultivating throughout the Spring. Many look forward to summer all year round. The weather is hot and the sun is out, improving people’s moods. People are drawn outdoors to participate in the activities they have been longing for all winter. Plants grow quickly, people are full of energy and the body’s Qi and vitality are at their peak.  

When the Heart is Balanced

Summer in TCM is the season associated with the heart and the small intestine meridians. Physically, when we are properly balanced, the heart circulates oxygen rich blood throughout the body, and assures proper assimilation in the beginning stages of digestion in the small intestine. When the heart is balanced, the mind is calm and we sleep deeply and wake rested.

When the Heart is Out of Balance

When the heart is out of balance we may lack joy (which manifests in depression) or have an excess of joy (mania or manic behaviour).  Some indications of a heart imbalance are nervousness, insomnia, irritability, heartburn and confusion, red complexion, poor memory, ulcers on the tongue and speech problems.

As the heart is connected to our spirits, summer is the best time to heal emotional wounds that we have carried with us from our pasts. Healing these wounds frees up space that we can fill with love, joy and happiness and ensure that we will not carry our old hurts with us into the future.

Well-being Focus for Summer

In summer, our work, play and relationships should be filled with joy, passion and laughter. They should instil in us a feeling of happiness and delight. It is a time of living our lives fully. This is how we know that the heart energy is balanced within us.

Summer then, is a time to cultivate the Yang energy while making sure that it does not come to excess. With the heart, mind and spirit being ruled by the fire element, we should give priority to these important aspects of ourselves. This is a time to nourish our spirits, realize our life’s potential, finding joy in hot summer days and warm summer nights.

Tips to help you make the most of the summer season

• Drink plenty of water and other fluids.
• Wake up earlier in the morning.
• Go to bed later in the evening.
• Rest at midday.
• Add pungent flavours to your diet.
• Eat in moderation. Over consumption of any food, especially cooling foods, can lead to indigestion, sluggishness and possibly diarrhea.
• Do not leave your food out for too long. The hot weather tends to increase food spoilage.
• Stay away from dairy, heavy, greasy, and fried foods.
• Refrain from anger. Keep calm and even-tempered. (Anger causes and exacerbates heat!)

Summer Food Choices

1. Adapt by eating local and seasonal: Summer is about abundance, and this is definitely the case with foods. Fruits and vegetables abound in summer, and we are lucky to have a multitude of choice when it comes to what we eat. But, beware: It is best to eat seasonal and local foods to assist your body in adapting to each season. A good tip is to ask yourself, could you grow this in your backyard? If the answer is “yes,” then enjoy. If not, then resist the temptation and look for an alternative that can be grown closer to home!
2. Stay cool and hydrated: Because it is the season of maximum yang, it is important to stay cool and hydrated. Eat cool Yin foods that are moistening to balance or clear the heat. Foods that clear heat can reduce toxins and help to generate body fluids. Generally, most vegetables and fruits are cooling, eating them raw makes them cooler still, and many seafoods are also cooling in nature.
3. Minimise cold foods: In our fast food culture, it is tempting to consume cold, congesting foods (such as icy drinks and ice cream). According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, eating these foods introduces coldness into the system. Our digestion is weakened when summer heat is combined with too much cold food. The coldness creates contraction, which stops perspiration and traps heat inside and interferes with good digestion. It is like throwing water on a fire – and that’s exactly what happens to our digestive ‘fire’.  Remember, the heart’s element is fire. A fire can burn too brightly or fizzle out if it is not monitored.

Beneficial Foods for Summer