Cultivating “Summer Energy” During a Pandemic

Did you know that in Chinese Medicine, there are actually five seasons instead of four? The five seasons are: winter, spring, summer, late summer, and fall. Each season has an associated color, odor, sound, emotion, and two or more body organs. The seasons are said to peak (not start) at the equinox, with the exception of the late summer, which has a shortened 5-week span. Living in harmony with each season as it arises will help you to feel your best, and maximize your energy levels.

We are currently in the season of summer, and according to Chinese Medicine, it’s a time for expression of joy, laughter, gatherings, and intimate connection. The warm weather creates a natural opening and expression of “yang” (active, action-oriented) energy. We can enjoy the outdoors as we hike or run the trails of our community, swim in the pool, hang out lakeside, or share a freshly-made margarita (or two) with a dear friend.

While the pandemic may have us feeling a little more hesitant around the idea of parties and get-togethers like they used to be, we still need to find safe ways to have fun with friends and family to make the most of this season. In fact, our health depends on it. [As a disclaimer, I do not advise going against any expert advice, or state/local guidelines and regulations regarding pandemic procedures as they relate to social gatherings. Now that more of us are getting vaccinated, doors are beginning to slowly open and we can safely move towards the light at the end of the tunnel.]

Here are five ways to cultivate the energy of summer so you can feel your best:

1. Schedule an in-person (socially distanced if you are not both vaccinated) get-together with a close friend. Spending time with your bestie or close friend helps to foster the energy of the “yin” (receptive, intimate) side of the summer energy. One-on-one connection fuels our soul in a different, yet still vitally important, way than a larger gathering. So have those heart-to-heart talks (the heart and heart protector are two of the organs associated with the summer, so it’s extra healing), share some wine, try ziplining, go paddle boarding, or whatever else makes your hearts happy!
2. Act like a kid again. It may sound silly, but learn from your little ones or the kids in your neighborhood, and get creative! Pretend you’re a cat, make up a new game or bring out the board games you haven’t played in forever, play double dutch, or challenge yourself to climb up a rock climbing wall. Who says we have to act like adults all the time? When we let go of our inhibitions and just play it allows our minds to relax, it reduces our stress and cortisol levels, and we’re actually able to be more productive in the long run.
3. Get intimate. The element associated with the summer is fire, and one great way to stoke that fire is to be physically intimate with others. That can be as simple as physical touch- for example, a hug or touching the shoulder of a friend, or it can mean intimacy in the bedroom with your partner or yourself. We are physical beings, wired for human connection, and that includes touch. I’m reminded of the classic psychology experiment by Harry Harlow et al. (1965) in which one experimental group of baby monkeys were separated from their mothers and placed in a cage with two “surrogate mothers”- a bottle of milk with a wire and wood “mother” and another foam rubber and terrycloth “mother.” Able to roam freely, the baby monkeys spent more time with the terrycloth “mother” and only visited the wire “mother” to feed and then quickly returned to the terrycloth. When we are deprived of that primal need for touch, comfort, and connection, we suffer emotionally. It’s not just as infants that we need tending and to feel loved; it’s all of our lives.
4. Make a new friend. Having a strong social network improves our mental and physical health. Have you been wanting to exercise more? Ask your new neighbor if she’d like to go on a walk with you. Want to try your hand at trivia but you don’t have anyone to go with? Go solo and ask to join a team when you get there. Feeling a little more reserved but still want to reach out? Post on one of the local Facebook groups that you’d love to find other like-minded people to hang out, and see who writes back! It takes bravery to open yourself up to potential disappointment, but cultivating that energy of vulnerability strengthens the heart protector (pericardium) according to Chinese Medicine. So instead of thinking things like, what if they say no or I don’t want to look like a loser sitting by myself, reframe your thoughts to focus on the potential good that will come out of you putting yourself out there- making a new friend, trying something new, or just being proud of yourself for pushing past your comfort zone.
5. Go on a vacation or stay-cation. Most of us are probably not ready to travel as freely or as frequently as we did before the pandemic, but that doesn’t mean you can’t safely enjoy the benefits of a vacation. If funds allow, consider renting an Airbnb in a nearby locale that you’ve never been to or in one of your favorite spots. Sweeping mountain views in a cabin at a nearby state, a quieter beach off the beaten path, or a farm cottage nestled among rolling hills are still as healing to the soul as a trip to Paris, Tulum, or across the country. If you can’t afford to get away for a full multi-day trip, consider a day trip to local caverns, exploring a new-to-you local state park, visiting the zoo, or getting dressed up and going out to eat at a nicer restaurant. The mental wear of not being able to travel or freely go out in public and enjoy the amenities of where we live has taken its toll over the last year. Going to the grocery store, Target, and the doctor isn’t cutting it as an exciting outing. Give your mind, body, and spirit the break it needs and find a way, even for an afternoon, to explore and do something truly nourishing to your soul.

I hope you can see that just because we still have to play it safe, it doesn’t mean we don’t get to play at all! Luckily, there are many activities that are perfect for enjoying this summer with your loved ones and new friends. So whether it’s enjoying the abundance of fruits and veggies at the farmers’ market, listening to a great local band at a festival, or shooting hoops with your neighbor, get out there and enjoy the season! 

References

Harlow H. F., Dodsworth R. O., & Harlow M. K. (1965). Total social isolation in monkeys. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC285801/pdf/pnas00159-0105.pdf

 Note: This article was originally published in a local magazine in its June 2021 issue, and slight modifications have been made to the original article to remove references to the specific community. For citation references, please contact Dr. Yocum at https://jenyocum.com/contact/