Shine Bright, Stay Cool

Summer has arrived with long days, lively nights and heatwaves. Whether you love the summertime, or you’re (im)patiently waiting for fall, I hope you find inspiration in its lush abundance and use some of the tips below to balance out the heat and humidity.

In traditional Chinese medicine, summer is said to be ruled by the fire element, yang energy, signifying growth and outward expansion. It is also known as the season of the heart encouraging us towards joy and love. In ayurveda, summer is pitta season. Pitta is one of the three doshas, or foundational mind-body energies, and it is composed of fire and water energy. It governs digestion, metabolism, body temperature, and transformation.

What does this mean for us?

Love is the key. Make time for what brings you joy and let it transform you. Less is more. A few deeply meaningful offerings is better than trying to do everything. Rest to digest. A lot is happening. Allow yourself time to slow down and process. Trust the flow. When energy is high, maximize your efforts. Otherwise, don’t force it.

Shine bright. Let yourself be seen, be someone’s muse, remember you are art. Stay cool. Eat lots of fruit and use cooling herbs, and go for a swim (or a dip at least). Get that vitamin D! The sun y’all… don’t hide from it, especially in the first hours of the day.

If even one of these words of wisdom speak to you, let that be your intention this summer. Lean into what this energy asks of us to help regulate your system to the natural rhythms of life.