Summer Heat

Summer Heat isn’t just a hot day in summer, it’s an actual diagnosable condition in acupuncture.

It occurs when the extreme heat of summer combines with the dampness of humidity. The result of this combination is any or all of the following:

• Irritability

• Nausea

• Stomach upset

• Dizziness

• Foggy head

• Cold symptoms

The simplest way to avoid it is to try to prevent yourself from overheating. Obviously that isn’t possible most of the time. When you do find yourself feeling the effects of the heat, a change in diet can do wonders for the situation. Which is why I wrote this blog filled with foods to eat or avoid during a heatwave.

I understand that not everyone wants to change their diet which is why I’m including some non dietary solutions for you as well:

• Put a cold damp cloth at the base of your neck. This is a meeting point of the yang (warming) channels. By cooling it down you cool some of the heat coursing through your body

• Don’t get on the temperature see-saw. What I mean by this is that going from the extreme heat of outside to a very cold air conditioned room can add undo stress on the body.

• Stay hydrated. Humidity often prevents us from recognizing when we’re thirsty which can lead to dehydration. If you’ve experienced profuse sweating ensure you’re also replenishing electrolytes.

And of course get acupuncture. It will release the heat, calm irritability and bring balance back to your body.