Full on Summer, the Fire Element for Your Mind, Body and Spirit!
One thing I love about Chinese medicine is that, like all ancient traditions, it is connected to the natural rhythms of nature and helps us to remember to embrace our current season. We are not just living in nature, we are nature itself. Thus, observing what’s happening in nature at any moment will give us direction to take care of our own vessel; body, mind and spirit.
Summer is the season of the Fire Element, fire is hot, so heat will be a theme to balance here. But what else- maybe more subtle? Fire is illuminating, connecting- our oldest ancestors would sit around fires and story tell, I think something we are still drawn to doing. Thus, it’s currently a great time to connect to others, share stories and network. Fire provides light, it reveals the truth we hold in our hearts. Fire is connected to the heart, our spirit. Is our heart informing our mind or mind dominating our heart causing anxiety and restlessness? The true heart is always present, and when we are present we are not overly wrapped up in our thoughts and mental projections. Slowing the heart-rate through certain breathing techniques can change your nervous system and the content of your thoughts to be calmer. You can even learn to lower your blood pressure through heart-centered gratitude breathing. Check out the Heart Math Institute for a lot more info on all of this, very amazing!
Summer is also a time of beauty and abundance, qualities easily seen by looking at fire. The plethora of flowers are blooming, the fireflies are alight, outdoor events and gatherings are in numbers, and farmers markets are full of fresh veggies. Have you allowed yourself to take in this abundance with the feeling of gratitude? Gratitude is always there, even amidst life’s challenges and overwhelm. Gratitude fosters JOY - another quality of this element, and allows us to fully receive what is freely being offered.
And what happens when we let fire go uncontained? We burn out, we fizzle out. Too many obligations and not enough rest and recharge time equals a dry, parched spirit. So remember, the element that balances Fire? Water! Douse a little water on your Fire this season by cooling off at actual bodies of water, drink enough water, and also spend time alone, doing things that feel restorative. Water is connected with the mystery, the universe, and to find that peace we need to be still at times. So while the Fire of this season will naturally bring us out, just remember it is also nourishing to seek a little solace indoors and in quiet as well. Even just a few minutes deep breaths and eyes closed sprinkled throughout the day goes a long way. Like a sign in my office says, “healing is a practice of pause”. A great thing to keep in mind this season!
On a physical level this season is a great time to work on the physical body in any of the areas listed above:
heart health- blood pressure, cholesterol
digestion- food sensitivities, IBS
metabolism and/or temperature regulation
hot flashes
insomnia and sleep
menstrual cycles/womb work
On an emotional level the areas of this season that are ripe for extra nourishment are:
anxiety
overwhelm- so much to do and so little time!
restlessness- heat anxiety ;)
any grief or heart pain
daily decision making/indecisiveness
discernment
connecting to others, relationships, intimacy
feeling joy!
A few things you can do to keep in balance with this fiery season:
heart math breathing- gratitude breathing in and out of heart center
drink lots of lemon water, water balances fire
spend time outdoors near water, dip your feet in and cool off!
enjoy the fruits of summer! farmers markets, fireflies, friends
get out of your comfort zone and do something novel
go to bed by 10pm, balance activity with rest
eat lots of the fresh veggies readily available
introvert time to read, meditate, stargaze and other “water activities”
rest, rest, rest and play, play, play in equal parts ;)
acupuncture! there are points sooo many points to balance Fire!