Summer in Chinese Medicine - How To Stay Balanced on the Sunny, Hot and Humid Gold Coast!
Summer is officially here!! We have already been experiencing some very steamy days and stormy afternoons here in South East Queensland, especially on the Gold Coast. I have certainly been feeling more hot and bothered than usual!
Long, hot days, balmy evenings, and of course the bright sunshine mean we are often being drawn to spend more time outdoors. Summer has a very active ‘yang’ energy that lends itself to feeling more motivated, enthusiastic and dynamic if in balance. If we are not in harmony, however, the heat of summer can leave us feeling a little worse for wear, ‘tired, lethargic and heavy’ are a few feelings that come to mind.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, each season is associated with a particular organ system, emotion, and element. Understanding these seasonal influences can help you stay balanced and well throughout the hottest time of the year.
Whether you're navigating hormone balance, preparing for conception, supporting your pregnancy, or recovering postpartum, aligning your lifestyle with the season can make a gentle but noticeable difference to your overall health and well-being.
Summer in Chinese Medicine: The Season of the Heart
Summer is linked to:
The Heart
The Fire element
The emotion of Joy
Expansion, warmth, connection, and outward expression
In TCM philosophy, the Heart governs not only the circulation of Qi and Blood but also the Shen, which refers to one’s ‘spirit’ or ‘mind.’ This includes emotions, mental clarity, sleep, and overall vitality.
When the Heart is balanced, you may feel:
Light, joyful, and connected
Mentally clear and present
Socially engaged
Emotionally centred
But when the Heart energy becomes imbalanced, often due to excess heat, over stimulation, or lack of rest, you might notice:
Restlessness or anxiety
Trouble sleeping
Feeling scattered or overstretched
Irritability
Heat intolerance or feeling “hot from the inside out”, think hot flushes and night sweats.
This makes summer a powerful time to care for the Heart and support calm, grounding routines.
How the Heat of summer Affects Women’s Health & Hormone Balance
Increasing temperatures may amplify fluid loss and dehydration, cause you to feel fatigued, and even increase inflammation which can impact your hormone balance, menstrual cycles and reproductive health.
Pregnant women especially may notice more heat symptoms in summer, such as swelling, hot flushes, increased sweating, irritability, and disrupted sleep.
New mothers are also more vulnerable to depletion and overheating. Staying cool, rested, and hydrated is especially important during the summer months.
Tips for Navigating Summer on the Gold Coast
1. Choose Cooling, Hydrating Foods
Summer is the time to enjoy foods that lightly cool and hydrate the body.
Chinese medicine suggests including the following foods:
Watermelon
Cucumber
Mint
Berries
Leafy greens
Zucchini
Coconut water
Fresh herbs
Avoid overdoing ice-cold drinks, which can ‘shock’ your digestion (I know, it is SO tempting), instead, favour room temperature or lightly chilled options.
2. Embrace The Early Mornings
Summer is the most yang season, with early sunrises and long days, Chinese medicine encourages you to
Wake earlier, with the sun where possible
Move your body in the morning
Rest during the hottest part of the day (take that siesta if you can)
This gentle shift supports natural circadian rhythms and Heart Qi
3. Slow Down When You Need To
Although we often feel pressure to ‘do more’ in summer, balance is key.
Honouring rest is especially important if you are experiencing cycle irregularities, trying to conceive, currently pregnant or newly postpartum, or experiencing increased adrenal fatigue. Even short, intentional pauses throughout the day can support your nervous system.
4. Support Your Digestion with Fresh, Light, Simple Meals with Seasonal ingredients
Summer foods should be fresh, light, easy to digest and hydrating. Think fresh salads (balanced with some warm, cooked ingredients of course), steamed veggies, grilled fish, rice dishes, broths and hydrating fruits. Aim to minimise rich, heavy, oily meals that can create internal heat or dampness.
5. Protect Your Heart (Emotionally Too)
Summer can be socially busy, but it’s also important to maintain emotional balance.
Nurture your Heart energy by:
Connecting with people who uplift you
Setting gentle boundaries
Practising gratitude
Enjoying creative activities
Making time for stillness
If you’re prone to anxiety, overwhelm, or restless sleep, these habits can be especially helpful.
6. Stay Cool, BUT Not Cold
While it’s tempting to blast the air conditioning (especially here in the furnace we call Queensland), a gentler approach can help your body regulate more naturally. Staying hydrated, wearing light, breathable clothing and consuming cooling herbal teas like peppermint, chrysanthemum and rose are equally effective measures to help balance any internal heat and get you feeling cooler.
Seasonal Self-Care for Women’s Health
Supporting the Heart and maintaining balance during summer can gently assist your menstrual cycle, fertility, mood, and overall vitality.
Acupuncture during the summer months may complement your seasonal routines by helping to support:
Regulation of stress and emotional well-being
Healthy sleep
Digestive function
Circulation
AND SO MUCH MORE…
Are you Looking for seasonal support?
If you’d like some more personalised guidance for navigating the summer months, whether you’re focusing on hormone balance, preconception care, pregnancy, or postpartum well-being. I would love to support you with acupuncture and Chinese medicine.
Book a consultation or a FREE connection call today to explore what feels right for you!
