Traditional Chinese Medicine has a health-preserving concept of "harmony between heaven and humanity," which means the human body must adapt to the natural environment and changes in seasons and climate. The characteristic of summer is "heat," so it is countered by "coolness," and "dryness" is driven away by "clarity." Therefore, the key to summer health preservation lies in "clarity."
One's mind should be clear and calm. In the scorching heat of midsummer, it is easy to feel stuffy, uneasy, drowsy, and irritable. Therefore, the first step is to calm one's mind and spirit, and avoid a fiery temper or getting agitated over matters, as agitation generates heat. It is important to prevent internal "heart-fire," because a calm mind naturally brings coolness.
The diet should be light and bland. In the hot summer, the diet should mainly be light, soft, and easily digestible, with less intake of high-fat, rich, and spicy foods that can cause internal heat. A light diet can clear heat, prevent heatstroke, reduce sweating, and replenish fluids, while also stimulating the appetite. Eating more fresh vegetables and fruits can not only meet nutritional needs but also prevent heatstroke. The staple food should be light porridge, such as mung bean porridge, lotus seed porridge, or lotus leaf porridge. One can also drink some cool beverages, such as sour plum soup or chrysanthemum tea. However, cold drinks should be consumed in moderation; one should not have an excessive preference for very cold things, as this can damage the body's vital energy (yang). Additionally, consuming some vinegar can stimulate saliva and appetite, and it can also inhibit and kill bacteria to prevent gastrointestinal diseases.
The living quarters should be cool and airy. In the morning and evening, when the indoor temperature is lower, doors and windows should be opened to ventilate. At noon, when the outdoor temperature is higher than the indoor, doors and windows should be kept closed with the curtains drawn. A cool and shaded environment will calm the mind and spirit.
Recreation should be in cool, quiet places. During the hot summer, one should not embark on long journeys but instead seek out nearby cool and quiet spots. In the early morning, when the first rays of dawn appear and the air is fresh, one can take walks or exercise in lush gardens to refresh the body. In the evening, a leisurely stroll by the river or lakeside will bring you a cool breeze that calms your mind as still water and soothes your spirit as if in a dream, washing away all vexations and instantly dispelling the summer heat.