Making the most of your summer

We have already experienced quite a few very warm sunny days this summer here in Melbourne, with more hot days forecast ahead. As a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Practitioner, I work with patients throughout the year and encourage them to live seasonally. This means giving them different lifestyle advice at different times of the year. Here are a few ideas for the summer period:

ACTIVITY Vs REST

As we experience the longest days of the year, it is natural for us to wake up
earlier in the mornings and stay awake later in the evenings than we do in
winter. Take advantage of the longer days by exercising in the mornings when
the temperature is cooler, and do more gentle activities in the warmer evenings
as you wind down towards bedtime. By being more active in the mornings and
relaxing in the evenings you will experience better sleep.

SEASONAL EATING

In summer there is so much beautiful fresh produce available to us. Nourish yourself by eating all the fresh fruits and vegetables as they come into season. In summer it feels more pleasant to eat cool and lighter meals (rather than the warm cooked hearty fare of winter).

I like to start my days with cacao chia puddings, or coconut yoghurt topped with fresh fruit and nuts this time of year. I eat a lot of different types of salads in summer, enjoying things as they come in throughout the season.

In Chinese dietary therapy the following foods are particularly nourishing and cooling during the summer months:

• salad greens

• cucumber

• tomato

• tofu

• apples

• pears

• peaches

• berries

• melons

• pineapple

• mango

• lemons

• limes

• mint

• coriander

• dill

• lemon balm

• lemongrass

STAY HYDRATED

On hot days it is important to stay hydrated and drink more fluids. I like to add fresh mint from the garden, or lemon or orange slices to cool filtered water in a jug and sip throughout the day. I prefer to drink lighter herbal teas this time of year such as green tea, mint / peppermint tea, lemon myrtle, lemon balm, lemon grass, rose, or chamomile tea.

THE ENERGY OF THE SUMMER SEASON

In summer the energy around us is expansive, warm, and joyous. You can experience this by observing nature around you, but you may also feel your energy increasing and you could feel naturally happier during this time. Summer is the perfect time to connect with friends and loved ones, spend more time outdoors, and enjoy fun times.

However, some people can feel too overwhelmed by the heat and activity, and if this is you it is important to set yourself time to stop and rest when appropriate. Meditation, standing or lying on the grass, Qigong, or walking on the beach are all great ways to calm your system down at this time of year.

In the acupuncture clinic at this time of year I often see patients with issues mirroring the movement of the season. Often in summer I can see a lot of cases of heat stroke, hot flushes, skin eruptions or dryness, allergies, and patients feeling burnt out or overwhelmed (especially in the lead up to Christmas).

By living in alignment with the seasons you can create better energy, health and feelings of balance within yourself. If you consider some of these suggestions hopefully they may feel natural/like common sense to you and be easy to incorporate into your week.

Wishing you a beautiful summer.

Dr Amanda Cox-Edwards (TCM) practices at Upwey Acupuncture in Upwey