How to Bloom in the Season of Yang
June 21 marks the summer solstice and the official beginning of the summer season, which is associated with the element of Fire. The chief organs of summer are the small intestines and the heart; and it's important to note that in Traditional Chinese Medicine, the mind and the spirit, as well as the heart, are ruled by fire energy.
As you might expect in this fiery time of year, the energy of summer is predominantly yang in nature. The long days of sunlight and warmth create an abundance of yang energy, making summer a great time for taking action - the kind of action that creates positive changes in our lives. To bloom like a flower in summer, cultivate joy and positivity in all aspects of your life!
Harmony and good sense
The strong yang energy of the fire element can easily move out of balance in the summer. When your mind is calm and you sleep soundly, know that your yang energy is harmonious. If you tend to feel agitated, manic or depressed or you experience regular insomnia, consider the possibility that you need to make adjustments.
One of the best things you can do to bring equilibrium into your life in the summer is to adjust your sleep schedule for the season. In summer you may want to wake up a bit earlier, take time to rest during the middle of the day (Yes - a siesta!) and go to bed just a little later than usual at night.
Use common sense when working outdoors or exercising. Avoid strenuous activities in the hottest part of the day, and be sure to drink enough water all the time, but especially when you're sweating. For those of you doing resistance training, tai chi or yoga, slow down and make your movements especially conscious. This will serve you much better than moving faster or adding more to your regular routine.
Food for Summer Health
Your body craves a lighter diet in the summer. This doesn't mean less food, necessarily - just less heavy and greasy foods. Fish and seafood are more appropriate than red meats. Pungent and spicy flavors can be especially pleasant on a hot day, along with cool, yin-energy foods to keep you in balance. Here are a few recommendations for cooling foods to add to your summer menu:
melons - most notably watermelon and cantaloupe
citrus - lemons, limes and oranges
cool and crunchy - cucumber, bok choy, Napa cabbage and snow peas
summer greens - spinach, watercress and seaweed
herbs - cilantro, mint and dill
A special note about watermelon: this delicious juicy fruit has long been a traditional snack for hot, thirsty travelers in Asia and the Middle East, and there's a good reason for that tradition. Watermelon juice is actually a great remedy for dehydration. It cools and cleanses the body of toxins and is a natural diuretic. Here’s a great recipe from Picture the Recipe for a watermelon salad that hits all the right summer notes.