After the Start of Summer, the weather turns hot, with both temperature and humidity on the rise. People can easily become irritable and have reduced self-control, making it especially important to "calm the mind and quiet the heart". Summer is also when heart-yang is at its most vigorous. Therefore, nurturing the heart in summer requires "quieting the heart". How can one achieve a state of "a calm heart brings natural coolness"?
Nurturing the heart requires quieting the mind; engage in quiet activities
After the Start of Summer, health cultivation should include going to bed early and waking up early to nourish yang, which is better for protecting cardiovascular health. It is particularly important to avoid excessive sweating, as excessive loss of sweat can lead to electrolyte imbalance in the body and damage the body's yang. However, not exercising is also bad for heart health. What to do then? The coolest time of summer is in the early morning. You might as well take a walk in the shade of trees and flowers near your residence in the early morning. This can nourish the heart and spirit, help the ascension of yang in the body, promote blood circulation, and enhance metabolic function.
To nurture the heart, one must "avoid agitation and anger", refrain from extreme joy or sorrow, and maintain a tranquil spirit, a peaceful state of mind, a cheerful mood, and a smile often. Experts say that at the turn of spring and summer, it is important to practice "spiritual cultivation" and engage in quiet activities, such as painting, calligraphy, listening to music, playing chess, gardening, and fishing.
Do a set of "Summer Calming Exercises"
Tickling the armpits: The armpits have abundant blood vessels and nerves. Stimulating them can cause laughter, which improves blood circulation and delivers nutrients and ample oxygen to the brain, heart, and lungs.
rubbing the navel: In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the navel is called the Shenque point. When the spleen and stomach are unwell, acupuncturists often use methods to stimulate this point for conditioning. Rubbing the navel more often can regulate the intestines and boost qi, effectively promoting smooth cardiovascular function and a calm state of mind.
Moving the soles of the feet: The soles of the feet have many nerve endings closely connected to various internal organs. Doing more exercises like bending toes, walking, walking on cobblestones, and soaking feet in warm water can effectively promote blood flow, pushing blood from the extremities back to the heart and the whole body.
Pressing the spine: Spinal problems are common in summer. The spine is the pathway of the Du Mai, one of the two main meridians in the human body. Doing more massage activities on the spine can stimulate the meridians to ensure smooth qi and blood circulation.
Learn some small summer calming movements
Clenching fists. Sit upright, with arms resting naturally on the thighs, and regulate your breathing. Then, clench your fists tightly. Inhale and relax, exhale and clench. Repeat 6 times. Applying force with your breathing is beneficial for regulating breath and blood circulation. When clenching tightly, it can also massage the Laogong point on the palm of your hand, which has the effect of nourishing the heart.
Pushing hands and rubbing arms. Sit up straight, extend your hands, place the palms of both hands flat in front of your chest, with the right index finger sliding along the tip of the left middle finger and forward along the center line of the palm to the center of the elbow crease. Do this 25 times. Then, use the right index finger to slide from the tip of the left little finger along the side of the palm facing the body to the elbow crease, 25 times; switch hands, use the left hand to push the right hand, same method, 25 times each. This has the effect of clearing the heart, removing fire, and eliminating vexation.
Raising and holding objects. Sit upright, place the left hand on the right wrist, raise both hands over your head, and regulate your breathing. Exhale and raise both hands forcefully, as if holding a heavy object. Inhale and relax. Repeat 10-15 times, then switch hands and repeat once more. This has the effect of unblocking the meridians and moving qi and blood.
Closing eyes and swallowing saliva. Sit upright, arms hanging naturally at the sides, eyes slightly closed, and regulate your breathing. Close your mouth slightly and sit quietly for a moment. When you have more saliva in your mouth, swallow it. You can swallow 3 times in a row. Then, gently tap your upper and lower teeth 10-15 times. This can nourish the heart and calm the spirit, strengthen teeth, and invigorate the spleen.
When practicing, choose a quiet, cool, and well-ventilated place, and practice at least once a day.