Fire Up Your Summer!

By Michael Kowalski, A.P., Dipl.Ac.

Summer is a wonderful time of year. Nature is in full bloom, days are longer, the weather warmer, school is out, and people are about. Fun is in the air!

In Chinese medicine, summer is the season of the Fire Element. Fire is also associated with heat, passion, joy, activity, openness and unconditional love. Summer is the best time of year to get outdoors, become more active, get more exercise and socialize with friends and loved ones.

Sometimes we are withdrawn, shy, and reserved. We don’t want to take risks, meet new people, or even socialize with our friends. We don’t feel like exercising and tend to stay indoors where it’s cool and quiet. That sounds like a kind of hibernation, or even depression, doesn’t it?

Animals do their own version of hibernating in winter. However, summer has a different quality of energy. Summer urges us to come out of our shell, get out and do things, embrace our vulnerabilities and share ourselves openly with others.

This summer, make a commitment to yourself to go with the flow of Nature and become more active. Get out and walk in the mornings when it’s cooler. Exercise regularly at a gym or just get moving. Spend leisure time near the water, enjoying the radiant warmth of the sunshine and the refreshing coolness of the water.

Make new friends. Seek out new relationships. Deepen your existing friendships. Spend quality time with your family. Have more fun!

Doing these things will feed the Fire Element within you and you will begin to feel more joyful. Start with small steps and, pretty soon, these small steps add up to bigger steps.

From all of us at the Acupuncture & Holistic Health Center in Jacksonville, we wish you a very happy and healthy summer!