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Seasonal Wellness for Summer

“The master gives herself up to whatever the moment brings…”  Lao Tzu

 

Summer is full upon us and brings with it much heat, light, expansion, energy and activity.  All this stimulation is punctuated with laughter, fireworks, and social interaction.  Now is a great time to engage our spontaneous action in order to fully live in the moment.  In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Summer is the season of Fire.  Fire is alluring and helps us cultivate, charisma, spirit and magic.  Summer is the season that sets our hearts on fire and  reminds us to live life to the fullest.

Our bodies are mostly water, and this time of year it is especially important that we stay hydrated.  Drink plenty of pure, clean water.  A good guideline is one ounce of water for every two pounds of body weight/per day.  So, a 160 lb person needs 80 oz of water just to maintain hydration under normal conditions.  For every 20 minutes spent in the sun, drink an additional 8 oz of water.  Drink more if you are very active, sweating profusely or consuming dehydrating substances, such as coffee, soda, alcohol, tobacco or excessive sugar or salt.  If your urine is less than almost clear, you could probably benefit from more, good quality, water.

Diet can play an important role in hydration.  In Staying Healthy with the Seasons, author, Elson Haas M.D. writes,

“In summer it is especially important to consume more liquids, and raw, fresh fruits and vegetables, salads and a lighter diet in general.  It is a good season to experiment with special diets such as fasting, or a raw food diet.”

 

Paul Pitchford suggests the following in his book, Healing with Whole Foods:

“Use plenty of brightly colored summer fruits and vegetables and enjoy creating beautiful meals – make a dazzling display with the colors of the food and design a floral arrangement for the table.   Cook lightly and regularly add a little spicy, pungent, or even fiery flavor.  When sautéing, use high heat for a very short time, and steam or simmer foods and quickly as possible.  Use little salt and more water.  Summer offers abundant variety and the diet should reflect this.”

                                

Here are some other ideas for staying well this summer.

• Sleep outside or with a window open and listen to the sound of crickets.
• Spend a warm summer evening in the garden. (If you don’t have a garden of your own, borrow one.)
• Go swimming in the middle of the night.
• Love everyone, especially yourself.
• Rediscover your magic.
• Laugh!
• Open your eyes wide and watch the world around you.

 

Focus:     Action, Activity, Spontaneity,  Love of self/others, Laughter, Magic, Connection, Socializing, Spirit

 
                     Summer Wellness Affirmation:

 “I know who I am; I am full of joy, gratitude, worth and love.”

                                                                         Be Happy,   Be well...