So sometimes in the summer, you feel puffy, or heavy, or swollen. Or maybe you get a bit of a headache with dizziness. Why does that happen? In Chinese medicine, summer heat invasion occurs when the hot exterior temperature affects your internal environment. When it's hot and also humid, the condition presents as summer heat and dampness.
The idea here is that there is a physiologic impact when the outside environment makes it difficult for your internal systems to calibrate and remain in balance. When it is hot out, that impact is called summer heat or summer heat and dampness. Your physiology responds to the stress of hot internal temperatures by trying to cool down and re-regulate which results in the manifestation of some undesirable summer symptoms.
You may feel dizzy, heavy, have fullness in your chest, feel swollen, get a headache or even nausea. Your body can feel too warm and your face might get red, and the sweat....there's usually profuse sweating. Of course, if these symptoms become more severe and there is concern about heatstroke, you should contact your physician. But if on the mild side, there are some great ways to help yourself feel better and also ways to help prevent this feeling to begin with...because let's face it....none of those symptoms sound pleasant...especially in the summer!
Here are some foods and drinks that can help treat or prevent summer heat from knocking you out of balance:
o watermelon
o mung beans
o coconut milk and water
o cucumber
o mint
o chrysanthemum
o warm green tea – yes warm, the heat of the tea helps you sweat, which helps your body cool down. If you drink ice cold liquids, your body creates more heat for digestion which further warms you up.
And here are some things to avoid that will help prevent this too hot syndrome - moderation is key here...I'm not telling you not to eat your favorite bbq summer foods...just suggesting you do it mindfully, meaningfully and in moderation. Maybe try some meatless Monday grill nights...see what you can do with all the awesome fresh summer veggies.
o greasy or fried foods
o bbq meats
o dairy especially ice cream
o alcohol
o overeating
o eating while standing or moving
o exercising during the hottest time of the day
I'm Amy! I'm an acupuncturist, herbalist,
registered nurse and expert in anxiety and women's health.
**All information and resources found on balancedstonewellness.com are based on the opinions, experience and research of the author unless otherwise noted. All information is intended to motivate readers to make their own nutrition and health decisions after consulting with their health care provider...even if that provider may be the author ;)