We are in a time characterised by expansion, movement, and heat. You’ve likely noticed a shift in your own rhythm lately – perhaps your social calendar is feeling more full than usual, or you find yourself wanting to stay awake long after the sun goes down because there is ‘a lot going on’ and it can feel difficult to find genuine deep rest among all that’s happening in the world. This time of year in Australia brings a lot of joy of course, too. The Heart, in particular, thrives on joy and connection, but it is also sensitive to excess. If we over-stoke our fire without time for cooling down, we risk burnout, restlessness, and depletion.
The concept of ‘mini yin’
With the sun setting later, the temptation to push through with late nights is strong. Especially if you’re in Melbourne and have been captivated by the Australian Open lately! However, frequent late nights can deplete the body’s Qi and make it difficult to nourish our Yin – the cooling, restorative essence of our being. To balance the high-octane energy of this time of year, nourish the ‘mini yin’ time of early afternoons with a nap or a siesta; in TCM, this is seen as a smaller version of our nightly sleep, helping to reset energy levels and ensuring a deeper, more restorative rest once you finally do hit the pillow.
Cooling versus heating versus ‘warming’
When it comes to what we eat, TCM will teach us that, even when it’s warm outside, we don’t want to over-do it with the ‘cool’ and raw foods like salad and fruits. It’s more about finding that ‘Goldilocks’ zone of ‘just right’ - in this case, gently warming foods that aren’t too hard to digest. You might find that heavy stews and spicy curries don’t appeal to you during a Melbourne summer. While we want to stay cool, a switch entirely to raw salads and ice-cold drinks can be too dampening for our digestive fire if we’re not careful. Too much raw food can actually weaken a sensitive digestive system. If your digestion feels a little sluggish, try lightly cooking your summer fruits and vegetables. Food that is cooked in water and contains water is always welcome in the world of TCM! Since we lose more fluids through higher levels of activity and warmer weather, meals prepared with water help maintain hydration levels. When it comes to beverages, remember that alcohol is inherently heating and drying. To keep your Heart happy, try balancing to be mindful of how much alcohol you consume (if any) and balance out the boozy beverages with plenty of hydrating drinks in between. Refreshing drinks are a lovely part of summer, but they’re even better without the inflammatory heat that alcohol brings.
Mindful movement and ‘sun smart’ fun
This is a great time of year for social movement. Instead of automatically opting to meet friends at a bar or coffee shop (coffee is also considered heating and drying to the body, in TCM), consider a walk during the “golden hours” of the early morning or late evening. Swimming, dancing, or hiking in nature are wonderful ways to honour the Fire element’s need for movement while staying connected to the earth. Remember to protect your physical body. Natural, zinc-based sunscreens and light, breathable fabrics allow you to enjoy the yang energy of the sun without suffering the depleting effects of a sunburn. By pacing yourself and embracing moderation, you can enjoy a summer that is joyful, social, and – most importantly – balanced. And your fun ‘yang’ moments of late summer will be made all the more enjoyable if you can sneak in that afternoon nap or a quiet night in here and there.