Nourish Your Centre: Flowing with the Season of Late Summer
- Claire McLennan
- Feb 17
- 3 min read
Updated: Mar 5
As we move through the season of Late Summer, nature offers us a moment to pause, centre, and restore before the transition into autumn.
In Chinese Medicine and the Five Elements Theory, Late Summer is governed by the Earth element, which is deeply connected to our ability to feel grounded, nourished, and balanced.
This is the time to strengthen our stomach and spleen, care for digestion, and find harmony in both body and mind.
Understanding Late Summer & the Earth Element
Late Summer is unique—it’s the in-between season, the moment when yang energy begins to settle and shift toward yin. It invites us to slow down, tune in, and create stability.
The Earth element represents nourishment, digestion (both physically and emotionally), and transformation. When in balance, we feel centered, calm, and supported. When out of balance, we may experience worry, overthinking, digestive discomfort, or fatigue.
Practical Ways to Align with Late Summer
Here are some simple yet effective ways to nourish your Earth element and flow with the season:
1. Eat Warm, Grounding Foods 🍠🥣
Support your digestion with foods that are nourishing, warm, and easy to digest. Favour:
Golden-hued vegetables like pumpkin, sweet potato, and carrots.
Simple, cooked meals like soups and stews.
Mildly sweet foods like rice, dates, and figs (avoid processed sugars).
Ginger and warm teas to support digestion and circulation.
My winter version of my morning tea with turmeric, cinnamon, ginger, pepper & honey and a dash of warm milk. At the moment I don't include the milk. If you're keen to delve into the nutrition side of Chinese Medicine check out this 5 Element Nutrition Course below.
It starts early March, enrolling now & make sure to put my first name 'CLAIRE' in the Coupon Code at check out if you go ahead - so they know I sent you their way. Click on the image to find out more👇👇👇
2. Move with Intention 🌀
Earth energy thrives with gentle, centering movement.
Try:
Qigong to strengthen your core and support your digestion. Raise the Hands to Condition the Stomach and Spleen is a move we practice in my qigong classes.
Walking barefoot on the earth to enhance grounding.
Slow, mindful stretching to cultivate stability and ease.
A quick video of Raise the Hands to Condition the Stomach and Spleen. This is at 3x speed... so when you practice, take your time.
3. Cultivate Mental & Emotional Balance 🌿
Late Summer is associated with thoughtfulness and worry.
Balance this by:
Practicing mindfulness & meditation to calm overactive thoughts.
Journaling to process emotions and release unnecessary worries.
Create a job list... and tick off the items. So satifying.
Be intentional with your thoughts - if they don't come from your heart centre, let them go.
Limiting overconsumption of news, media, or information that drains your energy.
I find journaling such an enriching process - and flicking back in time can be so satisfying to acknowledge where you are today.
4. Support Your Energy with Healing Practices ✨
This is the perfect time for energy healing and supportive remedies:
Receive a Qigong Energy Healing session to clear stagnation and balance your Earth element.
Try a Personal Alchemy Elixir tailored to bring harmony to your system.
Practice self-massage to support digestion and energy flow. I practice a Ayuvedic form of self-massage called Abhyanga a couple of times a week, or more if life is hectic. It is so nurturing and feels like the best hug you've ever had.
Final Thoughts
Late Summer reminds us that true nourishment is more than food—it’s about how we care for ourselves, what we take in mentally and emotionally, and how we cultivate balance in our lives.
This is your invitation to pause, center, and reconnect with your own inner stability before the seasons shift again.
💛 How are you nourishing yourself this Late Summer? Let me know in the comments or join me for a class, session, or elixir to support your seasonal transition!
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