Summer Time Hydration

Summer in Wisconsin brings beautiful sunny days and a packed calendar of outdoor activities, but it also delivers intense heat and high humidity. In East Asian medicine, summer is the season of the fire element and is associated with the heart system. While this brings vibrant warmth, excessive heat can harm the body’s fluid and deplete your vital injury in the process. If you have been battling sudden afternoon energy crashes, lightheadedness, frequent headaches, or a general sense of sluggishness lately, your system is likely working overtime to adapt to the seasonal climate.  

Here are some hydrations tips that utilize east Asian medicine principles 

When you are overheated, and ice cold beverage feels incredibly refreshing. However, introducing icy liquids to your system on a consistent basis can shock the spleen and stomach, the core organs responsible for fluid transformation.  

Sip fluids throught the day when possible. Chugging large amounts of water at once overburdens the digestive system. The body cannot absorb sudden large volumes of liquid, meaning most of it pases through you without actually hydrating your cells.  

• Watch for Subtle Signs: Do not wait until you are parched. Thirst is actually a late-stage indicator of dehydration. Watch out for dry lips, daytime fatigue, mild headaches, or dark-colored urine. 
• Replenish Electrolytes: When sweating heavily under the sun, plain water isn't always enough. Be sure to replenish vital electrolytes to prevent dehydration-related fatigue. 

Eat your water: in east Asian medicine, hydration is achieved through both liquids and foods. Many seasonal fruits and vegetables are naturally cooling and exceptionally rich in clean, structured water. Incorporating these foods in your diet will help with staying hydrated: watermelon, cucumbers, celery, berries, and beans.  

Electrolytes: are minerals that make it possible for your body to absorb the water you drink. They are mainly potassium. Sodium, magnesium, and calcium. Potassium lets water in your cells. Sodium helps water leaves your cells (in moderation it is helpful for removing waste from the cell, but also why high sodium diet are dehydrating). Magnesium and calcium helps guide the water to your muscles. Electrolytes are absorbed most effectively from food (most whole foods contain some). Liquid forms are available too that are popular and convenient.  

Hydration and acupuncture: many people find that regular treatments help them recover more efficiently from the physical stress of summer weather. While acupuncture isn’t a substitute for proper hydration, they do work closely together. When you are hydrated, your fascia and muscles are well-lubricated. This allows the acupuncture needle to glide more smoothly through the skin and also enhances your body’s physical response to the needle, which allows your body to heal faster. Acupuncture helps support individual organs such as the heart, lungs, spleen, and kidneys which all play a role in balancing the bodily fluids. Avoid excessive use of alcohol and caffeine which can act as a diuretic, causing the body to lose water.  

Some common signs of dehydration to look out for are: Dizziness, brain fog, headaches, poor sleep, heavy limbs, fatigue