Summer is expansive.
The days are long. The energy is high. The schedules are full – and for many people, it’s a season that brings more pressure than peace.
Whether you’re managing kids out of school, navigating social obligations, or just trying to keep up with the heat – your nervous system might be feeling it.
In East Asian medicine, summer is the height of yang energy and associated with the fire element: outward energy, movement, connection, and joy. But fire without balance can burn too hot.
When that happens, you might notice:
- Racing thoughts or trouble sleeping
- Feeling emotionally reactive or overstimulated
- A crash in energy midday
- Anxious tension in the chest or gut
- Sweating, heat intolerance, or night sweats
If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. And you don’t need to push harder or run away from it.
You need regulation – the kind that’s rooted in rhythm, rest, and small supportive choices.
What Regulation Looks Like in Summer
East Asian medicine reminds us that health is rhythm. It’s not about being “on” all the time – it’s about matching the season with intention. In summer, that means finding ways to cool and calm the system while still embracing lightness and joy.
Here are a few of our favorite tools:
Cool the Fire with Nourishment
In East Asian Medicine, certain foods help balance the heat of summer and nourish the Heart (which governs the mind and emotions).
Try:
- Cucumber, watermelon, mint, and mung beans to clear heat
- Chamomile or chrysanthemum tea for calm
- Avoiding too much caffeine, alcohol, and spicy food when feeling overstimulated
Acupuncture for Nervous System Reset
Acupuncture helps regulate the autonomic nervous system, support adrenal function, and promote parasympathetic (rest-and-digest) activity. It’s especially helpful when you’re:
- Wired but exhausted
- Waking at night with a racing mind
- Feeling edgy, agitated, or emotionally overwhelmed
Regular acupuncture during summer can help your body adapt to seasonal shifts more gracefully.
Honor the Yin: Rest, Ritual, and Recharging
Even though summer is yang in nature (light, active, outward), we still need yin (cool, calm, inward) to stay balanced.
Simple ways to bring in more yin:
- Screen-free time at night
- Gentle movement like walking or yin yoga
- Cooling baths or foot soaks before bed
- Sleep support herbs (like passionflower, reishi, or magnesium glycinate; we like Cortisol Manager by Integrative Therapeutics)
Micro Moments of Grounding
Regulation doesn’t have to be a grand gesture. In fact, the body responds best to consistency.
Try:
- 3 deep breaths with your feet on the ground
- Eating lunch away from your screen
- Saying “no” to one more thing when your plate is full
- Taking 2 minutes to step outside and feel the sun
These small pauses can retrain the nervous system toward safety and calm.
When to Reach Out
If you’re feeling tired but wired, overwhelmed by heat, or just not like yourself – it’s okay to ask for help. Acupuncture, herbal medicine, and simple daily strategies can help bring your body back into balance.
And if summer has you feeling scattered, inflamed, or emotionally off-kilter?
That’s your body asking for a reset..
Let’s create a summer that feels sustainable.
You don’t need to escape. You just need a plan that supports your system.
Schedule your next acupuncture session →
Schedule a complimentary 15-minute consult with Dr. Graves to explore a natural, functional health plan. Call us at (303) 688-6698 or book online.
Dr. Adam Graves, ND, LAc, owns and operates Colorado Naturopathic Medicine & Acupuncture is a holistic wellness center near me if you live or work in Castle Rock, Lone Tree, Parker, Larkspur, or along the front range.
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