In Chinese Medicine, the year turns in five seasons—not four. Late summer, from mid-August to the September equinox, is the season of dampness. When we’re worn down by fatigue, stress, or illness, dampness can seep in, showing up as runny noses, aching joints, and a foggy mind.
Acupuncture can ease these imbalances with points, cupping, and tuina (Chinese massage). But simple, mindful shifts in daily life on their own or with an acupuncture session can make all the difference.
Diet:The spleen and stomach work hardest in late summer. Heavy, greasy foods and refined sugar can burden them. Instead, savor the season’s sweetness: peaches, cherries, squash, and tomatoes. Keep meals light—pasta with sun-warmed peppers and tomatoes, finished with Parmesan, captures late summer on a plate.
Exercise: Movement clears dampness and keeps joints supple. Aim for 45–60 minutes daily, but even 20 minutes of brisk walking, yoga, biking, or tai chi brings benefits when done regularly.
Emotions: The spleen roots us in the present, giving purpose. When overworked, it stirs worry and overthinking. Use this season to reconnect—with yourself, family, and friends—strengthening bonds before autumn turns us inward.
Final Thought: The spleen is the nurturer. Over giving depletes us; self-care fills us. In caring for ourselves this late summer, we renew our capacity to care for others, offering our gifts from a place of abundance.
Consider an acupuncture session in September to support your seasonal self care. I am in the office on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays. Besides a treatment designed for you, together we will map a practical way forward for self-care.
