Summer Reset: Acupuncture for Cooling the Body and Mind

Summer brings long days, abundant energy, and a sense of outward expansion — but it can also leave us feeling overheated, depleted, and mentally scattered. If you've been feeling irritable, overheated, restless, or just “off” as the temperatures rise, you’re not alone.

At David Engstrom Acupuncture & Bodytherapy, I take a seasonal approach to healing. Summer is the perfect time to reset your system, cool internal heat, and restore balance to both body and mind — and acupuncture is a powerful tool to help you do just that.

How Summer Affects Your Body and Mind

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, summer is associated with the Fire element, which governs the heart and mind (Shen). It’s a season of movement, expansion, and outward energy — but when Fire becomes excessive, it can lead to symptoms like:

• Irritability or anxiety

• Restless sleep or vivid dreams

• Excess sweating

• Overheating or facial redness

• Digestive upset (especially when eating too much cold or greasy food)

• Mental fatigue or emotional overwhelm

These symptoms reflect a state of internal imbalance — often too much heat or “yang” energy without enough grounding or cooling “yin.”

How Acupuncture Helps Cool and Reset

Acupuncture works with your body’s natural rhythms to restore balance. In the summer, treatments often focus on:

• Clearing internal heat to reduce irritability, overheating, or inflammation

• Calming the heart and mind (Shen) to improve sleep, mood, and mental clarity

• Supporting digestive balance during a season of barbecues, travel, and irregular routines

• Regulating the nervous system so your body can rest, restore, and reset — even during the busiest season

By gently activating the parasympathetic (rest-and-digest) state, acupuncture helps you unwind from the heat of overstimulation and move through summer with more ease.

Small Shifts for a Big Summer Reset

Along with acupuncture, you can support your body by embracing a few simple habits that align with the season:

• Eat hydrating, cooling foods like cucumber, watermelon, mint, and leafy greens

• Stay hydrated, but avoid chugging ice-cold drinks, which can shock the system

• Practice mindful movement like swimming, gentle yoga, or walking at sunset

• Prioritize rest, even when days feel long and full — quality sleep is your best regulator

These small shifts, combined with regular acupuncture, can help your whole system reset — physically, mentally, and emotionally.

In the Seattle Area? Come Reset With Us

Whether you're in Ballard, Fremont, Queen Anne, or surrounding areas, I'm here to help you feel more grounded, centered, and cool — even in the heart of summer.

This is your time to restore balance and reconnect with yourself. Let’s make space for stillness, clarity, and a deeper kind of summer wellness.

Ready to Reset?

Book a summer acupuncture session with David Engstrom Acupuncture & Bodytherapy and experience the power of cooling, seasonal support. Your body (and your mind) will thank you.

If our care has supported your recovery, a quick review on Google or Yelp means the world — and helps others find healing they can trust.