Summer Staples

As the weather gets warmer, it might seem harder to stick to your routines or even just to make it through the day. Here are some our summer ideas:

Cooling and calming recipes

• Batching iced tea (lemongrass, peppermint or rose teas are often considered “cooling” in TCM)

• Fruit popsicles, smoothies or yogurt parfait bowls

• Limiting the intake of “warming” foods such as alcohol, highly processed, spicy, or fried foods can be harder for the body to break down, and process out of your system.

• Staying hydrated with coconut water, fruit juice, iced herbal teals or just water!

Adjusting your movement routines

• Transitioning your movement to evening or early morning or if possible doing it inside can be helpful ways to keep your habits

• Doing movements such as walking, yoga or swimming that promote circulation can also help to regulate body temperature, and prevent overheating.

Creating or rediscovering indoor habits or hobbies

At Home - Crafting, knitting, writing, content creation, learning an instrument or language, reading, indoor gardening, origami, scrapbooking

Out of the House/ Social - Going to the movies, museums, trying new coffee shops, thrifting, indoor rock climbing, attending a pottery or painting class

While the weather and your mental health may seem unrelated, using these (or any other adjustments that work for you) to deal with the heat can help you maintain the habits or attitudes that do directly contribute to your mental health. Personally, I find that I am always more prone to exhaustion, anger and stress when I feel overheated, and using some of these suggestions helps me to regulate these feelings. If you find yourself experiencing an irregular number of or overly intense hot spells, or if you feel as though something may be wrong please seek medical advice.