Summer Season Wellness
When the summer is in full swing ~ and the hottest days are upon us ~ we can turn to traditional wisdom to make the best of this time of year. By adapting our lifestyle & rituals just a bit, we can better tend to our bodies to stay well all season long.
Tune into the energy of the season.
Summer is associated with the element of Fire, marked by light, movement & expansion. Traditional Chinese Medicine also pairs this season with the Heart, the organ of our emotional center, as well as our spirit, mind and overall consciousness.
This is the time to relish & share our joy. We can do this by greeting the sun in the mornings: go outside, even for a moment, and greet the day before looking at your phone. Spend as many days as you can outside with gentle movement like ocean dips, easy hikes, bike rides, or strolls around the neighborhood. Plan time with loved ones for potluck picnics in a local park or evening meals over bountiful garden harvests.
Eat & drink to stay cool & hydrated.
Light cooking with just a hint of pungency or spice ~ like black pepper, fresh ginger or horseradish ~ is the way to go, with either a short sauté, steam or boil. Colorful salads, summer veggies, and fresh fruits are the flavors of the season ~ see what looks the best at your local farmers market.
Raw veggies like cucumbers, tomatoes & radishes can be chopped up and and paired with a bean like chickpeas, slathered in olive oil & lemon, and topped with fresh herbs like cilantro or parsley for a protein-packed healthy meal that's easy to digest.
In the summer heat, it's best to lessen consumption of heavy foods, including meat, nuts, seeds & grains, and fatty, fried or greasy meals. And if your climate is humid, keep the dampness-forming foods to a minimum: this includes anything very creamy or rich sweets.
Herbs such as Mint, Chrysanthemum, Chamomile, Mulberry leaf or Rose petals can be made into refreshing teas and poured over ice or kept in the fridge. You can also simply add the herbs to your plain water to get their refreshing benefits ~ no need to steep. Slice hydrating fruits like sliced Cucumber & Watermelon and add to water for extra flavor, or make colorful ice cubes combining herbs + fruit for a cooling respite.
Sun hygiene is most critical when the sun is soaring highest in the sky.
When it comes to sunshine, aim for frequent doses of early or late day sun exposure instead of long full days in the sun when possible. Physical barriers like hats, sleeves and umbrellas are better for your skin and the environment than applied sunscreens. Reef-safe sunscreens made with non-nano zinc oxide are currently the best option available in the US.
Aloe is one of our best herbal allies for soothing & repairing the skin after sun-soaked days.
Break off a juicy leaf of an Aloe plant, slice off the spiky sides, filet across the center, and apply the clear inner gel directly to sun-soaked or burned skin. Always use Aloe for aftersun care (not before going in the sun, because it can increase sensitivity to sunlight) and avoid store-bought gels with dyes & preservatives. These can contain petroleum-based colors & fragrances, and are much less bioactive than the real thing!
A spritz of hydrosol during a hot day can provide refreshing relief.
These gentle distilled waters offer beneficial botanical compounds & lovely aromas, and are safe to apply directly to the skin. Cooling hydrosol like Rose or Jasmine are my favorites during summer, just it's distilled (not water with added aroma). Lokelani Essentials on Maui distills a range of beautiful hydrosols from Hawai'i grown flowers ~ use code indigoelixirs for a discount on your first order! You can keep your hydrosol in the fridge, and mist yourself from head to toe as often as desired.
Keeping your adventure bag well-stocked is also key to healthy skin all summer long.
Protect against bug bites with Jungle Armor, our effective insect repellent that has lots of staying power thanks to the unique oil-based formula (and a pleasing woody & citrusy scent).
Solve All Salve is a season essential for cuts, scrapes, minor rashes & irritations, chapped or dry spots, and dry nasal passages from the heat or A/C.
Head Tonic provides quick cooling relief from headaches, pressure & congestion. A dab on the forehead also feels great when the weather is hot.
Vanilla Mint Lip Bar is a nourishing treat for chapped or parched lips. This soothing formula is infused with island grown Vanilla beans and a kiss of Spearmint.
Moon All Over Oil is the perfect companion for last minute getaways. This Jasmine & Sandalwood serum can be used on the face, body & hair to hydrate & gently perfume, so you can pack light.
And to replenish the skin throughout days spent outdoors, Seven Seeds is packed with nourishing oils to both protect from the elements and to repair damage from sunlight. Use it for any dry or chapped areas and to reduce dark spots. It also moonlights as a sheer makeup to lend a dewy glow to lips, cheeks & eyelids for an effortless summer adornment!