Schedule at a Glance

My family and I are enchanted by summer. We take advantage of the warm weather for beach hangouts, swimming, kayaking, trail walks, berry picking, and gathering with friends. Don’t forget the tasty temptations of ice cream, food trucks (with ice cream), picnics (with ice cream), and barbecue cook-outs (with ice cream). We are creatures of ice cream…doh, I mean habit. :)))

Eventually, the reality of our intensive search for summer bliss hits me, like a ton of undigested, body clogging dairy.

I find at about four weeks after school is out for summer (yes, cue the Alice Cooper!), that I begin to feel exhausted. After a short morning of work I fight to focus on much of anything through the afternoon. At dinner all I want to do is veg on the couch tuning out. Sometimes intermittent nausea decides to visit. I’m incessantly thirsty. My muscles begin to feel heavy, ankles swell a bit, and joints get really sensitive. And then I notice the dreaded white coating on the back of my tongue in the mornings, a tell tale sign in Ayurveda that all systems are not a go. Oh me, oh my!

I’m so grateful for the science of nature, or Ayur-veda, that illuminates why this can happen, how to manage the discomfort, and sometimes how to avoid it all together.

Summer is the time of year when digestion and energy are at their weakest. In an effort to function at its best and beat the summer heat, the body disperses more energy throughout its various systems and the limbs, rather than the usual concentration of energy in the gut. For example, to cool down, fluid circulation adjusts, ushering greater presence and perspiration at the skin’s surface. This requires extra energy, or digestive fire as we say in Ayurveda, compared to the requirement in a colder season.

While this is a natural process, it can become a problem when your search for summer bliss is focused on satiating the senses as often and as quickly as possible. 

I for one still can forget to rely on moderation and balance in the midst of seeking such delights. Especially in locations where a colder climate prevails for many months of the year, the excitement of summer brings us to the starting block fully committed to jump the gun if necessary!

Fortunately, moderation can be really simple…

I balance my sunny beach days with a combo of options that require little effort: sitting in the shade, wearing a sun hat, glasses, and sunscreen, drinking plenty of water, eating fresh fruit, avoiding midday sun, swimming in cool water, and soothing skin with freshly cut aloe vera gel before bed.

Instead of over-working myself during the most depleting times of day, I can opt for early morning exercise, mid-morning work projects, shaded trail walks anytime, scheduling some quiet and chill activities in the afternoon, gardening after dinner, or enjoying moonlit firefly performances under a clear night sky.

To lighten my digestive load and sustain energy for work and fun, I cook simpler meals with fresh ingredients. When possible, I favor foods that are moist, slightly heavy, sweet and bitter tasting, nutrient-rich, grown or produced close to my home, and organic.

It truly is a myth that taking care of yourself requires deprivation of pleasure! 

We can enjoy the foods we’ve been craving and some fabulous summer adventures in the sun. And, when swapping out or reducing just a few summer indulgences brings some relief of physical discomforts that have built-up, then I feel moderation is definitely worth it!

Yet, implementing little changes can be hard because I get distracted, habituated, and even resistant. I like practical steps and supports that are easily available to me and convenient for my lifestyle.

So I developed seasonal wellness tipsheets to highlight the do’s and don’ts for the time. And since each of mother nature’s seasons bring changing conditions to contend with, these tipsheets offer a menu of options to adapt body care, daily routines, food rituals, or mind health practices with ease and enthusiasm. Check out the summer version below!

If you’re not sure it’s worth it, then consider these reflective prompts…

Are you dreading the onset of specific discomfort in late summer or autumn? 

–> If your answer is “Yes”, then ask yourself:

• Would it be worth it to adjust five or less of my daily habits now to reduce my pain, inflammation, or irritable gut later?

If your answer is “Yes”, then hang onto that response as your guiding motivation! Try 1-2 tips below for a few days, see how they feel in your body-mind, and then swap them out or try a few more as desired.

–> If your answer is “No”, then ask yourself in August and September:

• Do I feel any new or recurring discomforts physically, emotionally, energetically, or mentally?

And when symptoms do begin to nag you, ask yourself:

• Was my intensive summer immersion worth it despite my discomfort?

Now, you could still experiment with a few of the tips below even if you aren’t fully sold on the idea. Watch yourself closely to find any shred of benefit that you can notice…I’ll bet it’s there.

If you’re interested in learning more about this approach to holistic health or customizing it for your unique body, mind, and wellness objectives, please reach out or book a free 20-minute introductory call.

I offer health counseling for individuals, families, and organizations online or in-person in Champlain Valley, VT. Or you might join me for a public workshop, Summertime, Livin’ is Easy with Ayurveda, in Middlebury on August 2nd at the Town Hall Theater.

Wishing you all well in your search for summer bliss. May you avoid the bummers and milk the moderation 🙂

Sarah