As summer begins to settle, we enter a unique and often overlooked season—Late Summer. This transitional period is a time of balance and reflection between the expansive energy of summer and the inward-turning energy of fall. It’s a time to ground ourselves as we bring in the harvest and prepare for the changes ahead. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Late Summer is governed by the Earth Element, which plays a crucial role in maintaining stability and nurturing our well-being.

Earth Element

In TCM, the Earth Element is the pivot for the other four elements and is most present during the two weeks between each season and most especially during the longer period between mid August to late September (aka Late Summer). The energy of the Earth Element provides a stable anchor, allowing us to shift into the coming season.  In Late Summer, it’s helping us shift from the expansive nature of summer to the introspective nature of autumn.

It's connected to our ability to digest, discern and transform. It’s said to “govern” Spleen and Stomach which helps us “digest”.   Digestion, in this context, goes beyond food—it includes our ability to process thoughts, emotions, experiences and anything else we take in. The Earth Element helps us separate the things that are helpful from the things we no longer need, ensuring that we absorb what nourishes us and eliminate the rest.

Worry and Overthinking: Finding Mental Clarity

For some people, the time between seasons can bring up feelings of worry, pensiveness, or overthinking.  For others, these feelings may be present all year.

Worry can lead to the feeling of a knot in your stomach which can slow or upset your digestion.  Overthinking is mentally exhausting.  Pensiveness involves rehashing or dwelling on past conversations or things that have happened.  It might be something that happened earlier that day or years ago.

To help manage worry, overthinking and/or pensiveness when it comes up, especially if you’re trying to sleep, try asking yourself two simple questions:

1. Can I do anything about this? The answer is likely no, acknowledging this can help release the thoughts. If the answer is yes, ask yourself the next question.

2. Is there anything I can do about this right now? If the answer is yes, get up and take care of it. More likely, the answer will be no. In that case, take a moment and write it down. In the morning, schedule a time to take care of it.

This practice can help clear mental clutter, creating space for a more restful night's sleep. You can take this practice one step further by doing a brain dump before bed.

Boundaries and Self-Care

This is an ideal time to pause and reflect on the experiences you've had so far this year. Just as the Earth Element governs the physical process of digestion, it also influences how we "digest" our experiences, sorting through which have been nourishing and which may be released.

It's important to care for ourselves first and foremost so we don’t compromise our own well-being in the process of caring for others. Think of it like putting your own oxygen mask on first; you must take care of yourself before you can effectively care for others. By establishing clear boundaries, you protect your energy and ensure that you’re living your life from a place of strength and abundance.

Supporting Immune Health

Strengthening your digestive system is crucial, as it lays the foundation for a healthy immune system in the coming months. A strong digestive system helps to support your body’s natural defences and ensures that your body is well-nourished, setting the stage for a smooth transition into fall and winter.

Choosing gentle activities like walking, yoga, swimming or stretching can help to support your digestive and immune systems by strengthening the muscles and encouraging digestion. These practices not only enhance physical health by stimulating the lymphatic system—which is important for immune health—but also contribute to a sense of stability and calm, which is beneficial.

Recent studies have shown that a 10-minute walk after meals can help regulate blood glucose levels. Incorporating this simple practice into your daily routine can further support your digestive and immune health.

Cooking

As we transition into Late Summer and the days cool, adjusting what we eat can support and prepare our bodies for the changing season. Try focusing on warm, easily digestible foods that help to ground us and support our overall well-being.

Naturally sweet foods like fruit, vegetables and grains – such as rice, oats, root vegetables, squash, corn, berries, mango, papaya, oranges, and apples – are particularly beneficial during this time. These foods not only support digestion but also align with the yellow and orange colours associated with the Earth Element.  These foods are often rich in vitamin A and vitamin C which help to strengthen the immune system as we prepare for the cooler months.

As the season shifts, you may find yourself starting to crave more soups, stews, and warmer meals. It’s also important to adapt your cooking to the weather: on warmer days, continue to enjoy lighter foods, but as the days grow cooler or damp, opt for warmer dishes. If you're still enjoying the fresh salads of summer, consider adding roasted root vegetables, a spicy dressing, some protein, or a warm drink to your meal to help with digestion.

Eating a balanced breakfast within two hours of waking up nourishes the body and provides much needed mental energy.  Including protein in your breakfast can help stabilize blood sugar levels throughout the day, setting you up for sustained energy and focus. 

Embracing Transition

As you move through this transitional period, consider how to incorporate the wisdom of the Earth Element into your daily life. Whether through mindful eating, gentle movement or setting aside time for reflection, these practices can help you stay balanced and centered as you embrace the changes that Late Summer brings.

If you’re looking for additional support, consider a free 20-minute consultation or an appointment to discuss tailored practices for you. The wisdom of Chinese Medicine can provide valuable insights to help you navigate this season with ease and grace.

Andrea

If you struggle with overthinking, here are two articles that may help:

Overthinking: What Exactly is Overthinking

How to Stop Overthinking

If you’re looking for ways to help put yourself first, here are two articles that may help:

Put Your Own Oxygen Mask on First

‘No’’ as Self-Care

If you’re looking for something you can do to support digestion, this article may help:

The Bitter Truth