Seasonal Shift: Late Summer

A TCM Perspective on Seasonal Living

Traditional Chinese Medicine supports the art of a balanced lifestyle, tuning into the rhythm of natures cycles. Nature does not hurry, just as the seasons change, our needs change. There are times for action and times for rest, times for growth and release. By creating space to pause, breathe, and listen, we gain clarity about our next step. Our body is an ecosystem, everything is interconnected which influences our mind, body and energy. Our wellbeing thrives when we are nourished.

The Fifth Season

Energy: Neutral

Element: Earth

Colour: Yellow

Organ Yin : Spleen

Organ Yang: Stomach

Late Summer is the Fifth Season in Traditional Chinese Medicine. A transition as the heat of summer fades from warming yang to cooler yin. A neutral time of harvest, abundance and tranquility and processing.

When we synchronise with natures season and we are in balance we feel more grounded, stable, with strong stamina and when unbalanced we may experience digestive or weight issues, fatigue, overthinking, worry and feeling cold.

Seasonal Foods to Support Health

Some foods to add to your late summer plate include:

• Sweet, yellow + golden foods - sweet potato, carrot, corn, squash

• Soups + stews warming foods

• Herbs + spices garlic, ginger, onion, black pepper, cinnamon, nutmeg

• Root vegetables

• Cooked grains + legumes

• Cooked fruits nuts + seeds

• Fermented foods

Grounding Practices

When we slow down we notice more. Here are a few grounding practices help self care this season.

1 While the warmth of summer lingers, move the body outdoors and ground the feet on bare grass, hug a tree

2 Journal thoughts for 5 minutes at the start or end of each day

3 Yoga Nidra and Sound Baths help calm and relax body and mind and very low effort