We are finally in the full swing of summer and I was blessed to spend last week in a cottage by the Great Peconic Bay. With no AC or indoor shower it became clear just how far our routine has strayed from the rhythms of our natural environment. I saw this contrast most in my two year old. In the city she leads a regimented life – sleeping from about 8 pm to 7 am with a short mid day nap of about 90 minutes. Near the bay however, she woke with the sun (at about 6AM) eager to sing with the birds and wouldn’t go to sleep until the sun began to set at 9 or so. During the heat of the day she took an epic, 4 hour nap. This schedule was inescapable because it was dictated by our closeness to nature. It showed me just how artificial her city routine actually is.
Similarly, my days in the city barely change when summer comes. The only difference is that the indoor spaces I live and work in are actually colder now then in the dead of winter! How is it that I crave chicken soup when it is 90 degrees outside? Because my office thermostat is set at 70!
Most of us cannot change this reality of urban life. However, now is the perfect time to examine our daily routines and make sure our choices are serving us well.
- Are you getting enough time outside?
- Enough sleep?
- Do you feel energized throughout the day?
- Is your digestion regular?
If the answer to any of these questions is no then it is time to make changes.
A Few Simple Ways to Stay Healthy In Summer
Get outside and sweat
The key to staying cool in summer is to get hot. Sweating opens the pores and lets off excess heat. Gentle exercise is an ideal way to avoid the heavy stagnant feeling that often comes with heat and humidity.
‘In order to live in harmony with the energy of summer one should, like in spring, sleep when night comes and get up early. Enjoy the sunshine and sweat in order to let go of excess yang energy and avoid stagnation. “Be keen on the exterior,” in order to stay healthy in Summer.’
-Huang Di Nei Jing
Get outside and work up a healthy sweat at least once per day. Then give yourself time to cool down naturally before entering your air-conditioned home or office. This simple bit of thermoregulation will help avoid nasal congestion and summer colds.
Make your home a shady spot
Even the hottest day is bearable in the shade. While sun is yang, shade is yin in nature. Spending the summer days in the shade helps protect the yin and keeps you from getting dehydrated. Keeping your lights dim or your curtains lightly drawn in summer will keep you and your home cool while saving money and energy. Beware, airconditioning is “cold,” while the shade is gently cooling.This is a subtle but significant difference. for too much artificial cold can also cause summer cold and allergies
3)Do not over-cool your home Try to keep your house no more then 10° – 15° cooler then the temperature outside. ConEd recommends that you keep your AC set to 78°.
4) Swim in the ocean at least once this summer
The ocean is nature’s antidote to summer heat. The salty water associates with the kidney organ which is the yin counterpoint to summer’s heart fire. Salt not only drains damp and relieves water retention beneath the skin, it also protects you from dehydration by strongly optimizing kidney function. Lakes and watering holes are great too, especially if they are shaded, but nothing is as profoundly cooling and nourishing in summer as a swim in the ocean.
Foods To Keep You Happy & Healthy All Summer Long
Eating raw food is generally not recommended however raw or lighty cooked vegetables are in the spirit of the season. In summer, the rule of thumb is to keep your foods fresh and light, avoid fried foods, and eat meat sparingly.
Watermelon: Watermelon is a Chinese herb used for curing summer heat diseases. Aside from being sweet and delicious, watermelon is also a good source of potassium–a key nutrient for maintaining electrolyte levels–and a good source of vitamin A and C.
Sprouts: Sprouting makes beans and legumes more digestible without the need for traditional cooking. Also, many sprouts have the additional benefit of draining damp and preserving yin. Mung bean sprouts are the perfect summer sprout because they clear heat and drain damp while preserving the yin. They are also a good source of dietary fiber, protein, thiamin, niacin, and vitamin B6.
Bitter Greens: Bitter vegetables, particularly greens are great for draining excess fluids from the body while promoting essential fluids to move more efficiently. Now that they are all in season, load up on leafy greens either raw or lightly steamed.
If you have any questions about whether acupuncture is right for you please feel free to contact me for a consultation.
Enjoy the summer!
Ayla Yavin MS LAC
