Today, Thursday, June 21 is the first official day of Summer!

This fiery season charges us like a battery. It keeps us warm and encourages activity. Yet, too much warmth and activity can burn our skin, cause dehydration, and even exhaustion.

Alas! A balance can be attained and maintained. Use these three tips to stay cool and well this summer season.

Enjoy Cooling Fruits, Vegetables & Teas

Balance the seasonal warmth by consuming foods and beverages that cool the body. Examples include salads, sprouts, cucumber, watermelon, lemons, limes, apples and other fruits. Feel free to eat these in abundance especially during and after a day in the sun.

Herbal teas are another excellent way to cool your internal system. A few of my favorite summertime teas are chamomile, chrysanthemum, peppermint and mint. I like to brew a large batch of tea over hot water or in the sun. Once the tea has brewed and cooled, I’ll refrigerator it to be enjoyed chilled.

The evening hours are also an excellent time to enjoy your freshly brewed herbal teas too. This simple ritual will send a signal to your physical body and mind that it’s time to cool down and slow down. Make sure your evening teas are caffeine free!

To avoid dehydration and extreme thirst, consume lots of electrolytes. Electrolytes are minerals that charge your body and help you to more efficiently absorb plain o’ water. For more on this topic, check out my post about my favorite thirst-quenching elixir. It’s one that I enjoy throughout the day during the hot summer months. 

Bonus tip: Take it easy on the iced beverages this summer. Excessive cold from iced beverages can damage our digestive system. It inhibits our digestive systems ability to completely break down, digest and absorb nutrients from our food. In between your iced beverages enjoy drinks at room temperature too.

Heal Injuries Quickly & Naturally

The summer season invites more activity. Whether it be around the house or cheering our kids on at sporting events. Due to high activity, we are more often prone to injury.

When accidents happen call your acupuncturist. I’m serious! We are trained to heal injuries. This includes strains, sprains, sore back, knees, trigger finger, and even concussions. The pain, swelling, and discomfort caused by injury are often greatly reduced after just one treatment.

If you’ve broken or fractured bone, I encourage you to visit the emergency room first. Once that treatment is complete, schedule an appointment with your acupuncturist immediately. Their care will aid in a quick recovery. Trust me on this. I know from personal experience.

A quick history lesson. Over 3,000 years ago in Asia, acupuncture and herbal medicine were the primary resource for recovery and care. This practice was particularly used during times of war. These medicinals helped the soldiers to heal faster and without invasive procedures!

Mind Your Heart

As you know, summer is the hottest time of year. The summers heat rightfully so lends itself to the be associated with the fire element.

While the weather around you heats up, mind your heart. Summers warmth will heat up your internal and external body’s more quickly. This means that your heart is also prone to work harder and faster during this season. Simple tasks will increase your heart rate and cause you to sweat more quickly. A day in the sun will heat you up and wear you down. Due to the cause and effect of summers heat, we want to take caution when overworking, exercising excessively, and even socializing excessively.

Your heart is directly connected to your circulatory system. Together they pump blood, supply oxygen, and nutrients to your tissues and your brain. When your heart is working hard more often than not, it will take away from somewhere else in your body. Let’s use an example to further explain:

You’ve spent the day working hard outside. Maybe you cut the grass, played with the kids or exercised. You’re hot, sweaty and thirsty. When you’re ready to take a break, you go inside for some lunch and a cool beverage. If you’ve done too much outside, you’ll continue to feel exhausted even after your break. The exhaustion may shift from feeling physically exhausted to feeling physically and mentally exhausted. You’ll likely need a nap or you’ll go to bed early.   

When we ask our heart to work hard it has an effect on our entire body, especially during the summertime. Mind your heart and the rest of your body by becoming aware of any excess that may be exhausting you. In the long run, it will tax other parts of your body.

Enjoy this fiery season! Remember to stay cool, well hydrated and to keep your heart healthy too.

Disclaimer: This information is intended for general reference only. It is not a replacement for professional health advice. The content in this post intentionally does not provide dosage information or possible interactions with prescription drugs or other medications. Please contact a certified health practitioner such as a physician of Oriental Medicine or Herbalist before considering use. To schedule an appointment with Malerie, visit the services page.