Summertime, with its warm weather and endless possibilities, beckons us to the joy of outdoor activities, vacations, and social gatherings. But if we don’t prioritize self-care amidst the whirlwind of fun, the vibrant energy of summer can easily overwhelm our physical and mental well-being.
Taking good care of ourselves during the summer is not an indulgence but a necessity. To help you fully enjoy the season while safeguarding your wellness, we’ll share some tips to keep in mind, plus some items that can be helpful to have in your summer self-care kit.
Regulating Your Temperature in Hot Weather
You probably already know it’s important to stay well hydrated in the heat. But what might surprise you is that drinking warm or room temperature water during the summer is actually better for the body than cold drinks.
According to East Asian energy principles, the temperature of the abdomen should always be warm. This is important for creating homeostasis in the body’s inner “weather patterns.” Warmth in the abdomen helps cool energy rise toward the head, creating the
optimal energy state. If you drink cold drinks, it can disrupt this temperature balance by introducing coldness to your gut and abdomen.
Then why does it feel so good to have an ice cold drink when you’re really hot? If you tune into your body, you’ll probably find that when you feel overheated, it’s mostly in the chest and head where the heat is most uncomfortable. A cold drink can quickly cool off your upper body as it enters your mouth and moves down your esophagus.
So, iced drinks can offer temporary relief and cooling. But as a habit, it’s more beneficial to keep warmth in the abdomen for increased core temperature, which leads to efficient energy flow and better adaptation to extreme external temperatures. Ready to try it?
Item to try:
Korean Hwangchil Tea is one of our favorite tea choices to help you regulate your temperature and stay well at any time of year. One of the world’s most potent plants, Hwangchil—also known as Dendropanax or Ginseng Tree—has been used in traditional healing for thousands of years for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and other beneficial properties. While you improve your body’s capacity to regulate itself by drinking this tea hot, you can also get these other healing benefits. (And, you can always drink it iced too.)
Hwangchil Tea comes in
loose leaf or
tea bags.
Supporting Yourself with Good Eating & Digestion
Summertime eating habits, often characterized by indulgent meals while on vacation or at social events, sugary treats like ice cream, and processed foods, can easily throw your gut off balance. These dietary choices can disrupt the delicate ecosystem of your digestive system, leading to digestive discomfort, bloating, and irregular bowel movements.
You probably already know which foods disrupt your system; the trick is remembering to make good choices while you’re out having fun. A good tip is, before you head out to a party or set off for a trip, tune in and remind yourself what eating choices you want to make while you’re there. Deciding in advance how you want to handle the situation can help you stick to your good intentions.
Another option is to supplement with items that will help restore balance to your gut…
Items to try:
Bamboo salt, such as our
Purple 9X Bamboo Salt, is a natural salt that’s far superior to your average table salt (which, by the way, often has chemicals in it.) Bamboo salt is said to support digestion by providing alkaline minerals that help maintain a healthy pH balance in the gut. It’s also traditionally believed to speed the cleansing and detox process, boost immunity, regulate perspiration and promote healthy bowel movements. You can use it with food, or just put a bit in your mouth any time.
Willowy Tea for Digestion is another ideal choice for maintaining gut health in the summer. It’s a fermented herbal tea based on traditional Korean medicinal views of health, with ingredients traditionally used for digestion, detox, and to aid in healthy bowel movements.
Keeping Your Energy Clear While Being Around People
With the abundance of socializing and interactions during summertime, it’s common to absorb a significant amount of energy from others. Whether it's the excitement of parties, gatherings, or crowded events, our energetic boundaries can easily become porous, leading to the accumulation of external energies that can confuse and aggravate our systems. Therefore, it becomes crucial to fortify your energetic boundaries and practice regular
energy clearing.
There are many ways to clear your energy, including meditation, smudging with incense, taking showers or salt baths, practicing qigong, or doing visualization techniques. These all can help release and cleanse any unwanted or stagnant energies that we may have absorbed. By incorporating regular energy clearing into our self-care routines, we can maintain a sense of balance, clarity, and emotional well-being throughout the buzzing summer season.
Items to try:
Our
Sage and Palo Santo Incense Set helps clear your energy with the same herbs used by indigenous healers and shamans. Sage is said to have disinfecting and revitalizing properties, and Palo Santo cleanses negative energy and promotes relaxation.
Organic Shield Protective Blend Essential Oil is great to keep on hand for a protective boost when you’re going to be around a lot of people. The Sage, Juniper, Cedar and Vetiver in this blend can help keep you grounded and protected from negative or toxic energy.
Protecting Yourself from Bug Bites the Natural Way
Protecting yourself from mosquitoes with natural ingredients is a better choice than relying on chemical repellents due to several compelling reasons. First, natural ingredients are generally milder on the skin and less likely to cause irritations or allergic reactions, making them safer for both adults and children. Additionally, natural repellents often carry a more pleasant fragrance compared to the pungent odor of chemical alternatives.
Embracing natural solutions also minimizes potential environmental harm, as chemical repellents can have adverse effects on ecosystems and aquatic life when they seep into water sources. By opting for
nature's remedies, we not only protect ourselves but also contribute to a healthier and more balanced environment for all living beings.
Item to try:
Bird of the Soul Oil is an essential oil blend formulated by meditation expert and
New York Times bestselling author, Ilchi Lee. It was inspired by his
Bird of the Soul storybook about a man named Jay and his relationship with his soul, symbolized by a sweetly singing bird.
It may not be as strong of a bug repellent as chemical products, but many people find it very effective in keeping bugs away, as well as soothing any bites you do get. The fragrance, made from 17 pure plant oils, also helps stimulate your mind and balance your chakras. It can also be used to enhance meditation or as a natural perfume.
You can get Bird of the Soul Oil as a
roll-on,
mist, or in a
dropper.
For more natural and holistic summer self-care items, such as our healing SPF 50+ Sunscreen Lotion, visit the Change Your Energy Shop.