Embracing Summer: Staying Cool, Balanced, and Nourished
Written by Julia Turner
As the heat of Summer unfolds, we step into the season of the Fire element in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Summer is the most Yang time of the year, outward, expansive, and full of energy, mirroring the height of growth in nature. But just as the sun blazes brightly, we, too, can burn out if we don’t find the right balance. This season is all about joy, connection, and nourishing your Yin energy so you can move through summer feeling vibrant without tipping into exhaustion.
Why Summer Matters for Women’s Health
The energy of Summer mirrors the ovulatory phase of your menstrual cycle. Just as nature is at its peak, vibrant and expansive, your body is in its most outward and connected state. When in balance, this phase brings feelings of joy, confidence, and radiance, as your energy is naturally high, and your ability to connect with others deepens. It’s a time of celebration, where you can harness this energy to nurture relationships, share your gifts, and bring projects or ideas to life. How are you embracing this natural sense of abundance and connection in your own life?
Summer’s Fire energy is linked to the Heart in TCM, which governs joy and emotional balance. When this energy flows freely, you feel content and grounded. However, when it’s excessive, it can manifest as restlessness, overwhelm, or scattered focus. Emotions like excitement or even overstimulation can leave you feeling drained if not balanced, that is why excessive Joy is seen as the challenging emotion that correlates to the heart. What brings you true contentment in your life, and how can you nourish it in a way that feels sustainable and grounding? Summer invites you to connect with your spirit, live fully in the moment, and ask yourself if you’re honoring the things that truly light you up.
In Chinese Medicine, the Fire element governs the Heart and Small Intestine, both physically and emotionally. The Heart houses the Shen (your spirit), which reflects your mental clarity, emotional balance, and ability to be content in your life. However, when this element is out of balance, it can manifest as:
Overheating (feeling flushed, night sweats)
Sudden emotional overwhelm/outbursts or restlessness
Insomnia, racing thoughts, or scattered focus
Menstrual imbalances, heavy or very light periods, PMS, bright red blood, diarrhoea before and during menses, cramps.
If you’ve been feeling depleted, irritable, or unable to slow down amidst the summer’s intensity, you’re not alone. Summer’s heat can drain your vital Yin energy, the cooling, calming, and nourishing force within your body, leaving you feeling emotionally and physically spent. It can manifest as signs as heat but in Chinese medicine there are two types of heat, ‘true heat’ and ‘false heat’. Our main concern is bringing balance and harmony. So, how can you stay cool, balanced, and content this season?
Summer Yin Nourishment: A Few Simple Steps
1. Stay Cool and Hydrated
In Summer, it’s important to support your body’s natural need to stay cool and replenished. Think about foods and practices that bring a sense of lightness and hydration while avoiding anything that might add too much internal heat.
2. Find Balance Between Movement and Rest
This season invites you to be mindful of how you move and when you rest. Simple shifts in your routine can help you avoid burnout and maintain your energy throughout the day.
3. Create Space for Calm and Joy
Summer is a time for connection and joy, but it’s also important to allow moments of quiet to settle your mind and nourish your spirit. Small daily practices can make a big difference in helping you feel centered and content.
Want to learn practical tools to stay balanced and grounded this Summer? Get access to my workshop where we’ll explore exactly how to nourish your energy and thrive this season.
Why Does This Matter for Your Menstrual Health?
For women, the Fire element’s imbalance can show up as heavy bleeding, emotional volatility, and short cycles, signs of heat (true or false). Protecting and nourishing your Yin energy is crucial to balance these patterns and prepare your body for the seasons ahead.
By learning how to align your daily practices with Summer’s energy, you not only feel better now but also build the reserves your body will need as we transition into Autumn and Winter.
If you’re curious about how seasonal living can support your health, especially as a woman, this workshop is for you. Together, we’ll explore:
How to recognize the signs of Fire element imbalance
Practical ways to nourish your Yin and protect your energy
The best foods, cooling practices, and acupressure points for Summer
How Summer’s energy connects to your menstrual cycle and emotional well-being
Get access to my Summer TCM Workshop where I’ll guide you through essential practices to nourish your energy and thrive this season. Learn how to harness the Fire element’s energy without burning out, so you can feel cool, calm, and connected all summer long. Walk away with tools to support your cycle, your energy, and your spirit
Understanding the connection between inner and outer seasons can be incredibly beneficial. Paying attention to how you feel in each season and noticing where you struggle the most can highlight imbalances in the season’s corresponding organ or meridian. Use these insights to guide your journey towards health and balance, allowing the seasonal energy to support your path to wellness. Trust in the process, stay patient, and watch as your intentions begin to blossom into something beautiful.
I always recommend working with a practitioner to understand your imbalances so you can combine this with seasonal living knowledge and really get the best treatment plan for you.