Yang energy continues to rise as summer begins to establish itself. Temperatures increase, plants become full and abundant, and grains begin to swell but are not yet fully ripe, giving the solar term its name, Small Fullness. Nature is vibrant and growing, but has not yet reached its peak.
As Heat increases, Dampness often begins to accumulate alongside it. The Spleen remains important during this transition and can become burdened by warmth and humidity. The body may experience feelings of heaviness, sluggishness, digestive changes, restlessness, or a sense of internal heat building.
Mind
A time for moderation and balance give a 20% life buffer to help deflect exhaustion. Xiao Man reminds us that growth does not require excess. Feeling overstretched, impatient, or trying to do too much can create internal tension. Allow steady progress without pushing beyond your reserves. And be sure to rest during the middle of the day.
Exercise
Continue regular movement but avoid excessive heat and exhaustion. Walking, swimming, stretching, Tai Chi, or lighter outdoor activities. Be sure to exercise during cooler parts of the day. Gentle movement helps circulate Qi and prevents Dampness from settling. But remember to rest in the heat of the day.
Food
Choose lighter meals that support digestion and clear Heat without damaging the Spleen. By adding “bitter flavours” such as Rocket, Watercress, Chicory, Endive, Matcha or Dark Chocolate to your diet will clear heat, leafy greens, cucumber, berries, and lightly cooked foods work well. Continue reducing greasy and overly rich foods, and maintain good hydration without relying on iced drinks.
Clothing
Dress in lighter, breathable layers as temperatures rise, but avoid sudden overexposure to wind, strong sun, or air conditioning. Keep comfortable and cool while protecting the body from rapid changes in temperature.
Beginning of Summer (Li Xia) marks the transition from the gentle emergence of Spring into the expansive growth and vitality of Summer. Between 5th May and 21st May 2026, the rising influence of the Fire element and ascending Yang Qi encourages greater movement, activity, social connection, and outward expression. This guide explores how to remain balanced and nourished as nature shifts into a more dynamic phase of the year.
General
Explore the energetic significance of the Beginning of Summer within Traditional Chinese Medicine, including the movement from the “birth” phase of Spring into the active “growth” phase of Summer. Observe the rising dominance of Yang energy, the influence of the Fire element, see how living seasonally can help us remain aligned with the rhythms of nature.
If you are feeling weak and exhausted this time of the year, it may be that you are feeling the effect of the Yang Qi (chi, energy) moving outwards and leaving you digestive core, cold and depleted. Your digestive tract is unsupported and is running cold and waterlogged, this is called Summer Lethargy, and can easily be countered through treatment and assisted by dietary changes too.
Mind
Focuses on the emotional and mental aspects of the season, particularly the connection between Summer, the Heart, and the Shen (Spirit). It looks at supporting calm joy, emotional balance, healthy boundaries, and avoiding overstimulation as energy becomes more outward and expansive.
Exercise
Enjoy the feeling as your need for movement naturally changes during this solar term, encouraging more active exercise whilst avoiding overheating and depletion. It highlights the importance of sustainable vitality, hydration, and choosing cooler times of day for physical activity.
Food
Seasonal eating during the Beginning of Summer is key, including lighter meals, hydrating foods, seasonal vegetables, berries, and gently cooling ingredients that help support balance as temperatures rise. Reducing excessively greasy, fried, or heating foods and maintaining healthy digestion during warmer weather is key.
Avoid iced water, this can freeze your digestive activity more and compound the issue of exhaustion.
Clothing considers practical ways to remain comfortable and regulated during the seasonal transition, including breathable fabrics, layering, hydration, and supporting the body’s natural cooling mechanisms as external heat increases.
If you are over heated, avoid air conditioning as this leads to locking shut your pores and trapping cold in the internal organs, with the outer layer of Yang trying to escape, leading to possible skin eruptions.
The ancient knowledge of the Solar Terms provides a holistic seasonal guide rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine, helping you embrace the warmth of the season with joy, connection and vitality of early Summer whilst maintaining balanced, resilience, and wellbeing.
For more information about how Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine can assist you in this season, please make an appointment.
Disclaimer
This content is offered to support awareness, not to “fix” you. It reflects a Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective and is for informational purposes only—and is not a substitute for individual medical care or a one to one consultation and treatment.
• Reduce damp-producing foods: sugar, dairy, excessive raw foods
• Morning sunlight exposure (very important for resetting yang)
• Gentle Spleen support points: ST36, SP6 (ask if appropriate for you, check with your Acupuncturist at your next appointment)
• Don’t oversleep — it actually worsens dampness in this pattern
This is essentially: the system waking up, but still has winter residue hanging around.
Open Gate
Boundaries becoming porous and letting in aggravating elements – leading to Allergy type symptoms. This is a beautiful but sometimes destabilising season.
What’s happening energetically:
The Liver’s natural function is to “spread and open”. In Clear and Bright, this becomes very active — almost like doors opening internally and externally and letting in the pollen.
It can be healthy (creative flow, emotional release), but if ungrounded it becomes chaotic.
• Emotional volatility but not necessarily anger — more “rawness”
• Strong urge to change life direction or clear everything out
How to help yourself:
• Grounding practices: slow walking, barefoot time on earth if possible
• Consistent routines (this is stabilising medicine in itself)
• Wind protection: scarf around neck, avoid strong wind exposure
• Going out for walks is good wear sunglasses and a face mask when outdoors or go out after the rain has settled the pollen.
• Acupuncture focus: LV3 + DU20 often used for centring and smoothing qi (ask if appropriate for you, check with your Acupuncturist at your next appointment)
• Emotional containment: avoid over-processing everything at once
• Keep meals regular — this anchors the Spleen and stabilises the “open system”
Think of this as: the doors are open — but you still need a frame so they don’t swing wildly.
Disclaimer
This content is offered to support awareness, not to “fix” you. It reflects a Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective and is for informational purposes only—it is not a substitute for individual medical care.
Dan Lloyd the Acupuncturist – dan@whatisthepoint.net – 07815814886
Yang energy is dominant as spring fully unfolds. Days lengthen, temperatures rise, and the environment shifts into a state of clarity and rapid renewal. Colours appear sharper, the sky clearer, and nature expands quickly.
As warmth increases, stored Kidney energy rises to the surface, moving into the tendons and muscles. This coincides with peak Liver (Wood) energy. At the same time, spring rains bring dampness, compressing the Spleen between upward Liver activity and downward humidity. This can contribute to Rising Fire, Spring Sleepiness, and the “Open Gate” pattern.
Mind
A time for reflection, gratitude, and letting go of what no longer serves you. Unprocessed grief can slow Qi circulation (Qi stagnation), blocking the natural upward movement of spring energy. Expressing emotion and speaking freely helps release this stagnation, preventing internal heat imbalance.
Exercise
Movement is essential to keep Qi flowing. Outdoor activity is especially beneficial—walking, jogging, gardening, or gentle hiking. Traditional practice also includes flying a kite, encouraging uplifted posture, open breathing, and emotional release.
Food
Eat fresh greens, herbs, and lightly cooked seasonal foods. Avoid heavy or greasy meals. Good choices include asparagus with garlic or ginger. Emphasise naturally sweet foods like sweet potato and yam, and reduce overly sour flavours.
Clothing
Dress lightly, but remain prepared for wind and spring showers.
Find out more about the three patterns that manifest, their symptoms and how to help yourself – in the next blog.
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