july in your body
now that summer is in full swing, july brings in cookout season, summer camps, and longer days for socializing and getting sunlight. the heat continues to build up after the warmth of late-may and june and it starts to settle in your tissues. tissues associated with heat include the blood, the digestive tissues, and the nervous system— so finding cooling and balancing practices this time of year are pivotal for maintain systemic equilibrium.
lifestyle & routine
because like increases like, the sunny and warm aspect of the summer months motivates us to get outside, get active, and get involved. during july, it’s useful to counteract some of this heat by taking time off to do nothing. movement creates heat and heat creates life. with the long days comes the insatiable itch to go outside and play, so having time of inertia is particularly useful around this time.
it can sometimes be hard to find right time to squeeze in time for yourself or create space for even a moment of luxury. excess heat creates irritability and agitation, leaving our nervous system fried and fatigued. taking the time to cool off with something simple and cooling like a hydrosol/face mist helps to reduce the build up in our head.
at the end of the day, a cool shower or spending time in the moon (moon bathing) helps to get our bodies cooled off and ready for a night of restful slumber. continuing to prioritize getting in bed at or before 10pm aids in support the healing of the liver tissues after a day of heat build up, as well. with our skin being the biggest organ on our body, a light layer of coconut oil (called abhyanga) before a cool nighttime shower will boost the cooling process of the body.
the sun is hottest in the midday, so keeping our bodies nourished with something light but nutritive (like a smoothie), will keep your engines running without bogging you down and turning the mood sluggish. over all, our priority remains in maintaining stable meal times and honor our bodies hunger (or fullness) signals.
diet staples
along the same trend as may or june, early july warrants cooling and hydrating foods that are substantial enough to help maintain electrolyte balance. cucumbers, berries, bitter greens, tropical sweets, and melons will all quench your thirst and satiate the dry heat in the mouth. cilantro, fennel, coconut oil, quinoa, fish, and citrus add a splash of flavor to your meal without adding the weight/strain on your digestion.
towards the end of july, though, too much of these hydrating foods will lead to diuresis (or depletion through flushing), triggering dehydration. end of july signals a flip of the switch into late summer, a time to prepare for fall. so late july menu items will include demulcents (think cool and gooey like chia) and sweet taste (which is building and cooling) for nourishing the tissues. menu items begin to include peaches, grapes, chia seeds, white rice, quinoa, sweet potato, carrots, fish, and egg whites.
what’s next
summer is at it’s peak, and cooler days are just around the corner, so continue to rest, relax, recover and then repeat so that you’re time out in life is most fulfilling instead of depleting. and, as always, reach out to your friendly neighborhood lifestyle consultant if you need a hand getting started.
