Moving into Summer: 5 Ways to Live More Seasonally

Look around and you will see that nature is in full bloom right now. Summer is the peak of 'yang' energy in the seasonal cycle (as opposed to the deep restorative 'yin' of winter), and this is the time of year when plants and animals are most energetic and full of life. As we have evolved with nature and the changing seasons, humans have also evolved to be at the peak of their energy and enthusiasm in the summer, but if you don't live seasonally this can be difficult. As you might see in . have readAdapt your lifestyle to the seasonsBlog post, seasonal living includes the foods we eat, how we move, socialize and sleep, and the daily routine we adopt.

Why is life seasonal important?

How we eat, move, work, play, rest and socialize sends messages to the brain and body telling it how it works. Food is information, and the food we eat tells our body whether to move into a lighter, purified state (known as alanghanaEffect in Ayurvedic medicine) or a grounded and nourished state (abrmhamaor “building” approach). Food also provides us with vital nutrients and vitamins, protects us from allergens and heals oxidative damage caused by physical and emotional stress. When we consume seasonal and preferably regional food, we provide ourselves with exactly the nutrients we need. Spring greens are bitter and encourage the body to digest and “detoxify” heavy winter foods like fats and proteins. They contain many chemicals that protect against hay fever and help build minerals such as vitamin K, C, magnesium and iron, all of which contribute to a refreshed and spring-like feeling. As we approach summer, the abundance of fruits, vegetables, sweet vegetables and longer hours of sunshine give us exactly what we needThemoment that we will address in this blog post. Another important reason to live seasonally is that our emotional, mental and social needs change drastically throughout the year. Would you like to go to parties and barbecues in the summer, but prefer to cuddle up with a book and a blanket in November? Desires like this exist because we have evolved to live differently in different months. When we live in a state of “chronic summer,” as Dallas Hartwig puts it in his bookThe 4-season solution,we burn ourselves out before we reach those hot and sunny months. Summer is a great time to live more seasonally, so read on for five easy steps! If you want to make seasonal living a bigger part of your life, get inspired by books like. leadThe seasonal soul.

Step 1: Summer Foods

As I mentioned earlier, there is a reason why certain plants grow all around us. Due to longer daylight hours, humans would naturally spend much of the day engaging in low- to moderate-intensity exercise for extended periods of time, foraging and hunting, or simply traveling and playing. With a lot of exercise, the need for foods richer in carbohydrates increases, which our bodies can typically utilize more efficiently in summer. Depending on where you live in the world, this might mean treating yourself to mango and papaya, or berries and stone fruits like plums and apricots. The vegetables and plants that grow in the UK and Europe at this time of year are all packed with nutrients, but what these plant-based foods have in common is that they are also rich in antioxidants. More exercise, more play, and more activity in general leads to more natural “oxidative stress” as muscles and tissues are worked on and broken down. Antioxidants help repair the body, renew cells and essentially slow the aging process. In the UK, seasonal foods include rhubarb, elderflower, nettle, spinach, raspberries, gooseberries, plums, apricots, strawberries, cherries, fennel, courgettes, cucumbers, peas, lettuce, chard, fennel, rocket and peppers and much more! 'Tis the season to go plant-based, so treat yourself to all the colors you can find at your local market! For recipe inspiration go to the (link removed) cookbook,The mindful kitchen or completely plant-based (link removed)

Step 2: Summer herbs

Herbs used in summer provide a naturally cooling antidote to hot and balmy days. While the wild garlic is over and the spicy wild mustard greens wilt, cooling herbs such as fennel, basil, mint, coriander and dill are ready to harvest in midsummer. In the world of Ayurvedic health is one of the most important principles'the same increases as increases; the opposite brings balance’.This means that when the weather is hot outside, we benefit from consuming cooling foods and herbs - with the opposite quality to promote a sense of balance. A cooling tea likePukka's Aqua Herbs in Citrus Zing would be a cool drink alternative to the usual coffee or spicy chai.

You can also add cooling herbal aromas to your home withOrganic lavender essential oilor (link removed) As for fresh herbs, try topping salads with parsley, which is very beneficial for liver health. Add coriander to curries for additional heavy metal detoxification, or make a mocktail with cooling garden mint!

Step 3: Summer Movement

This (link removed) is light and soft. Model: @hildasparkston

Spend a day in the heat of the sun and a HIIT workout probably isn't what your body is craving. As I mentioned earlier, summer is of course a time of more movement, but low impact and slower movement throughout the day. This could look like long walks, a day at the beach playing Frisbee and paddling in the ocean, swimming at your local lido or lake, or spending more time making pottery in the garden. If we apply the Ayurvedic principle“Opposite brings balance”Here, a summer-inspired yoga sequence could include slow sequences, cooling pranayama practices such as Sitali breathing or Chandra Bhedana (left nostril breathing). You can opt for a sunny recovery session with gentle back bends with a opt for a neck roll and aromatherapy (link removed)

Step 4: Socializing in the Summer

Due to restrictions and personal uncertainty, it can be difficult to socialize in ways we would normally choose, but if you have a group of friends and family you enjoy spending time with, this is the time of year. Socially distanced events are popping up more and more, and there are plenty of outdoor dining and yoga classes to make the most of it. Summer is the time to say “yes” to opportunities, invitations and life in general, so get out your brightest colors and get out there! Or just stick with the yoga pants we've all been wearing since March 2020... Yogamatters even makes some of them luxuriousLeggings with pockets, so it's easier to go from the studio to the street party. In the fall and winter, you have plenty of time to decline Christmas party invitations and stay at home in hibernation.

Step 5: Summer sleep

Well, if you've been living in a "chronic summer" mode where you're working, over-exercising, consuming lots of sugar, lots of socializing and little rest, this is not the time to sleep less! However, if you already live seasonally and get your fill of sleep in the winter, summer is actually the season when we can stay up a little later and get up earlier. The longer daylight hours meant we would have naturally stayed up later with our tribe members, and the early sunrise would have encouraged us to wake up at the crack of dawn to greet the day. Before changing your sleep habits, it's important to check your energy levels and make sure you have enough time to recover from those busy summer days. A morning exercise for early risersSun salutationsis a great way to feel energized and ready for action.

Essentials to live more seasonally:

Good + Good cookbook

Spritz Wellness Liberty Print Aromatherapy Eye Mask - Caesar Blue

Yogamatters Eco Reclaim Leggings – Midnight

Pukka Organic Aqua Herbs – Citrus Zing

Soapsmith Handmade Soap – Lavender Hill

Nikki Strange A5 Recycled Notebook - Melba Sunrise