Summer is well underway and it is a hot one!
Chinese medicine teaches us to live according with the seasons. What can we do now to optimize our health for this summer?
ADJUST YOUR SLEEP SCHEDULE.
Adjusting your sleep schedule with seasonal changes can help ensure you have the most energy throughout your day. You can do this in the summer by taking advantage of the later days and staying up later than usual, and rising earlier than usual. A nap or meditation in the afternoon can help you sync to this schedule adjustment.
EAT SEASONALLY.
Aim for a light, cooling, nutritious and seasonal diet that is bright colored and hydrating. Some great foods for the summer include: Lettuce, watermelon, cantaloupe, apricots, apples, bananas, zucchini, snow peas, mint, citrus, tomatoes, peaches, bok choy, corn, and strawberries. These are foods of the season- they are plentiful! Incorporating these into your diet will help offset any extra summer heat your body may accumulate.
HYDRATE.
Offsetting the heat with water is absolutely essential for staying healthy in the summer. Keep your electrolyte balance in line by adding a pinch of sea salt or trace minerals to your water. Watermelon juice is also a delicious way to hydrate and detox the system.
STAY BALANCED.
Summer corresponds with the Heart and Small Intestine organ systems. Symptoms like poor memory, anxiety, agitation, insomnia, UTIs, heartburn, or depression might indicate imbalance of these organ systems this time of year. Acupuncture can help the body regulate and help your body get back in sync naturally.