The last time I sat down to write a newsletter, the topic was summer solstice...
The busyness of the summer season both swept me up and bogged me down as I had trouble finding time and motivation to complete projects that weren’t in the garden.
Now here in late summer, I’m noticing the subtle, almost imperceptible shift that happens this time of year, embracing the cooler evenings and mornings, and looking forward to the fresh energy that comes with fall.
Late summer is thought of as the fifth season in Traditional Chinese Medicine, and marks the transitional period between the long days of summer and the cooler days of fall.
On the farm, late summer is notoriously exhausting as summer crops are still begin harvested into September and fall crops need to get planted while there’s maximum sunlight. Guided by the Earth element, this transitional time invites us to harness the vibrant energy of summer and channel it into thoughtful planning for what lies ahead. It’s a moment to recenter and ground ourselves, to prepare both inwardly and outwardly for the next season of life.
Late Summer Associations:
Element: Earth
Yin organ: Spleen
Yang organ: Stomach
Color: Yellow
Taste: Sweet
Emotion: Worry
It’s important to stay grounded during these transitional seasons. I used to become very uneasy with the shifting of seasons, but consistent nourishment can help alleviate some of those anxieties that come with uncertainty and the unknown.
Supportive Late Summer Tips & Tricks:
- Eat regularly & seasonally. Skipping meals causes your blood sugar to drop, which causes a stress response in your body in the form of elevated cortisol.
P.S. How cool is it that the produce that's coming out of the fields right now are both yellow and sweet? Corn, squash, peaches, sweet potatoes, delicata...eating seasonally continues to make the most sense, in my opinion.
- Gaze at the horizon. Gazing at the horizon shifts us out of a narrow focus and into a wider, more relaxed gaze that encourages our nervous system to shift into rest and digest mode.
- Listen to birdsong. If you start paying attention to birds, you'll notice they use distinct alarm calls when they sense danger. Once the threat has passed, they resume their regular singing. This return to birdsong serves as a natural signal to the brain that the environment is safe, encouraging a sense of calm and relaxation.
- Ground. Touching grass with your bare skin improves circulation, decreases inflammation, benefits mitochondrial health, connects you to nature, and relieves stress. My favorite time to ground is first thing in the morning. Do it now before it gets too cold! It sounds woo-woo, but here’s an interesting study about how grounding can reduce inflammation and promote wound healing: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4378297/
Talking about and reflecting on the seasons is always interesting to me, as most healing comes from the Earth and comes from within. If you feel overwhelmed by social media, the news, or the state of the world, see how you feel after going outside, shifting your gaze, touching the ground, and observing nature. Celebrate the abundance of summer by indulging in seasonal fruit & veg, and embrace the arrival of fall by appreciating a cool morning or evening with some grounding and a warm beverage.
As always, my inbox is open! Let me know how this late summer is treating you.
With gratitude,
Blair
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