ure is FINALLY complying here in the Boston area. The sun is shining, the trees and flowers have bloomed and the temperature is perfect. Welcome summer! Many of us have certain rituals with each change of season. This time of year he have put away our sweaters and long pants and switched them out for lightweight shirts and shorts. Our wardrobe isn't the only thing that should be revamped each season though. We should also be thinking about changing some of our lifestyle habits to coincide with the new season.According to Chinese medical theory, the human body is a microcosm of the universe and is viewed as a holistic entity of nature and any elements and changes that occur in nature also occur in the human body. We are affected and influenced by the changes in season and weather. For example, during winter we generally have less energy, but as the temperatures begin to warm we notice a marked increase in our energy, mood, and well-being. This rings especially true here in New England where it feels like it is winter for half the year!
Each season has its own identifying characteristics and purpose. Spring is the time for new birth and new growth. Summer is the time for those new growths to grow rapidly towards maturity. Autumn is when maturity reaches its peak, harvest occurs and things begin to fall back towards the Earth. Winter is a time for storage and conservation. Living things slow down and lie dormant, or die and return to the earth. Because each season is so unique, and because our bodies are so deeply connected and influenced by the changing seasons, our lifestyle habits should be adjusted with each season in order to be well-balanced and healthy.
Everything in nature relies on the balance of yin and yang. Summer is considered to be the most yang time of the year. Our qi and blood moves more rapidly, our yang qi moves outward and we sweat more easily. Chinese medical theory believes that sweating is controlled by the lung qi, and that sweat is the fluid of the heart. We can strengthen the lung qi by introducing pungent foods such as ginger and onion. When we excessively sweat it is believed that the heart qi and mind become "scattered" resulting in symptoms such as irritation, restlessness and insomnia. To help with excessive sweating, try introducing foods with sour and salty flavors.
Of course we should also be conscious of fluid intake. Water is a must, but also introducing certain foods that have a cooling and balancing nature is important too. Watermelon, mung beans, tomatoes, cucumber, mint, chrysanthemum and strawberries are just a few foods that will naturally cool you off and hydrate you.
Other summer-specific dietary changes include:
- Increasing fruit and vegetable intake and decreasing overall meat intake (Fruits and vegetables are considered yin/cooling in nature and meat is considered yang/hot).
- Avoid greasy, fried foods as well as frozen, iced and raw foods. These are considered to be phlegm-producing, or "damp", foods that can damage the digestive system resulting in poor digestion, diarrhea or overall stomach discomfort. The digestive system prefers neutral to warm temperatures, which seems counter-intuitive for the summer months. If you do reach for an iced drink or a salad out of the refrigerator, try following it up with a cup of warm tea or bowl of soup to balance out the cold.
Is your sunscreen really protecting you from skin cancer?
It is important for everyone to protect themselves from the sun's harmful UVA/UVB rays. Your best protection is to stay in the shade and wear long sleeves and hats. If that's not a feasible option (this is summer after all!) then sunscreen is our next best bet. However, not all sunscreens are created equal. A study on the 500 most popular sunscreen products was recently released with suprising results: The ingredients in certain sunscreens may actually be speeding up the development and spread of skin cancer!
Click HERE to read the article. To see a list of the EWG's top-rated sunscreens click HERE.
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