Finding Balance at the End of Summer

As we continue exploring the seasons and their relationship to the Five Elements of Chinese medicine, we come to what initially seems like a contradiction. There are five elements, but only four seasons. If our bodies and the natural world are reflections of one another, how do we account for this?

This is where the Earth element comes into play. In some traditions, Earth is associated with Late Summer. In others, it is not assigned to a single season at all, but instead represents the transitional periods between seasons—a time when nature pauses, replenishes, and prepares to move into its next chapter. I like to think of it as the stillness at the bottom of a meditative breath, the quiet moment before the next inhale begins.

The organ system associated with Late Summer, or these "between-season" transitions, is the Spleen and Stomach. Together, they are responsible for receiving, transforming, transporting, and storing the nutrients that nourish our bodies. When the Earth element is out of balance in the world around us, we often see extremes: droughts and wildfires in one region, devastating floods in another. Crops struggle to thrive, and foodborne illnesses become more common. Within the body, an imbalanced Earth element may manifest as bloating, digestive discomfort, irregular appetite, fatigue, sluggishness, or even joint pain. In this way, Earth serves as our center—both internally and externally—a source of nourishment, stability, and vitality. Maintaining balance within the Earth element helps support harmony throughout the rest of the body.

As we move into the later weeks of summer here in the Northeast, we experience long stretches of heat interrupted by thunderstorms and heavy rainfall. The air grows thick with humidity, and our bodies can begin to feel heavy and sluggish. At the same time, many of us find ourselves longing for the crisp air and cooler evenings of autumn. This is nature's gentle invitation to begin turning inward after the expansive energy of summer. It reminds us to slow down, reflect, and nourish ourselves.

During this time of year, foods that are cooling and hydrating—such as cucumber, watermelon, mint, and mung bean sprouts—can help clear excess heat and replenish body fluids. Gentle movement that encourages circulation, while avoiding overly strenuous exercise that further depletes fluids, can also help maintain balance as we transition toward the next season.

One thing I often notice in my office during Late Summer is a sense of frantic energy. Many people arrive feeling pulled in too many directions, worried they haven't made the most of our fleeting summer months, and exhausted from trying to do it all. There can be a quiet sense of urgency—as though every sunny day needs to be filled before it's gone.

But this is exactly the time to soften.

Simple interventions are often the most powerful. At the bottom of your next breath, pause for a moment and check in with yourself. What do you need? Where can you create a little more space? What would truly nourish you right now?

​I hope your summer has been filled with the things that make this season so special—days by the water, time spent outdoors with friends, cookouts with family, or simply soaking up a healthy dose of sunshine. And when you begin to notice the evenings arriving just a little earlier and the first hints of autumn in the air, don't resist the change. Lean into it. Trust the rhythm of the seasons, and give your body the nourishment it needs as it prepares for what comes next.