Summer Wellness Tips from Our Acupuncturists

Summer is finally upon us, which means road trips, pool time, and campfires. It can also mean dehydration, sunburn, and a  bit of stress trying to cram all your trips into the next three months.

But we spoke with our acupuncturists who have some summer wellness tips to offer up to keep you running at full capacity this summer.

Stay Protected from the Sun

Nothing says summer like tan, sun-kissed skin. But the dangers of sunburn and overexposure to UV rays is real. Not only is sunburn painful and irritating, it can cause DNA damage to your skin and after only five sunburns your chances for skin cancer increase dramatically.

Using sunscreen still allows you to get the nice glow, but will protect your skin from the harmful UV rays. If you do happen to get a little too sun-kissed, coconut oil and aloe vera are two great natural sunburn remedies to cool off your burnt skin.

Keep Hydrated

Might seem like an obvious summer tip, but it is crucial to increase your water intake during these hot and steamy summer months. Your body sweats out more water and loses more electrolytes increasing your chances of dehydration and hot stroke.

And while adding ice to cool down your drink sounds like a great idea, it is actually harder for your system to digest. You can add cucumber or mint to your water which are natural coolers for your body.

Remain Cool

Cooling off after a day outside in the summer heat can be tough. But there are natural spices and foods that will help cool you down. Watermelon is a natural cooler and helps to balance your electrolytes.

Dill, cumin, mint, fennel, and cilantro are cooling spices and herbs that, according to Chinese medicine, will help keep your body temp neutral.

“When we think about nutrition often we only think about things like calories, carb, fats, and protein content along with vitamins and minerals. But foods and spices have an ability to heat or cool down the body with the energetic nature of the foods. This is where real dietary therapy can take place based on a person’s specific constitutions and needs that need to be addressed.”  — Katie Edwards, MS., LAc., ERYT

Enjoy Seasonal Fruits and Veggies

The summer is one of the most bountiful times for fresh fruits and vegetables. Expanding a lot of energy in the summer means you need to be replenishing your body properly.

Eating in-season fruits and veggies means the produce will be at peak nutritional value, allowing you to get all the vitamins and nutrients possible.

“Eating seasonal and local produce is one of the most essential things you can do for you and your families health.”  Kirby Noone, MS, LAc

Brew Some Tea

Mix up your water intake with some summer teas. Chilled lemon and ginger tea will cool you down but also give you a few other added benefits.

• Aids and improves digestion
• Stimulate appetite
• Protects against skin infections
• Relieve stress

Brewing a cold tea is a better alternative than coffee. Even iced coffee is a stimulate that heats up your body. Choosing a caffeinated tea is a better summer choice.

Eliminate Travel Stress with Acupuncture

While summer vacations can be a blast, they can also take a toll on your body. Making sure you take a few moments to relax and get your stress levels back in check will help keep you calm all summer.

Taking some time for acupuncture appointments this summer can help you with:

• Allergies
• Muscle cramps and soreness
• Reduce headaches
• Relieve stress

“Stress can have a major impact on your health.  It’s important to be sure you are addressing your stress levels on a regular basis.”  Tangela Barr, MS, LAc.