Summer, Season of the Heart

Our hearts and our heads seem to be in constant friendship or battle with each other. So often people feel they must chose with one and not both. Our hearts are a vital and important part of our physiological being, yet they also have a life of their own. The emotions that we feel from the left part of our chest our real and the bounce out of us strongly as if needing room for expansion.

In summer, the season of expansion, these sensations are often stronger and more urgent. In Chinese Medicine the Heart is related to the summer season and pathology sometimes emerges during this season because of this close relationship. The heart is most prone to symptoms of heat, which means sleepless nights, restless sleep, anxiety, palpitations, overexcitement, excessive talking, excessive dreaming and other symptoms. Our choices in our lifestyle and diet can help prevent or curb these symptoms when they arise.

SUMMER FOOD:

-Think cooling foods, yet limit raw fruits and veggies to 1.5 meals a day. Your digestion will thank you for keeping up with cooked food!

SUMMER SLEEP:

-later and less sleep is ok, but your body loves a good 11PM-7AM eight hour night.

SUMMER EXERCISE:

-Now is the season to train for something that takes a lot of energy, take advantage of the light and energy of the season to work for a marathon, bike race etc.

SUMMER CREATIVITY:

-the seasonal flow is expansive, use this time to get outside for inspiration and put that inspiration to action with the extra hours of daylight

SUMMER EMOTIONAL:

-feel the easy joy and enjoy the available lightness of being that matches the season. If depression and anxiety come to you easily they may knock on your door this season as well. If you need help with balance, come get a treatment or some herbs to keep on hand.

Happy Summer Everyone!