Grounding Into Late Summer:
What TCM Teaches Us About This In-Between Season
If you've been feeling a little off lately — foggy, bloated, low on motivation, not quite yourself — you're not imagining it. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), we're in the middle of a season most people don't even know exists: Late Summer. Here at Better Days Wellness, our acupuncture practice in Rochester, NY, we see this shift show up in patients every year around this time.
Wait, There's a Fifth Season?
In Western frameworks, we think in terms of four seasons. But TCM recognizes five, adding Late Summer as a distinct transitional period between summer's outward expansion and fall's inward release. It typically spans the weeks surrounding the end of summer into early fall — right around now.
Late Summer belongs to the Earth element, and it governs two closely linked organs: the Spleen and Stomach. In TCM, these organs are responsible for transforming food into usable energy (Qi) and distributing nourishment throughout the body. When Earth energy is balanced, we feel grounded, well-nourished, and mentally clear. When it's out of balance — which is common this time of year — we tend to feel foggy, sluggish, bloated, or scattered.
Why This Season Feels the Way It Does
Think about what the last few months have looked like: vacations, irregular schedules, later nights, more takeout, more sugar, more "I'll get back to my routine eventually." Summer is expansive and social by nature — which is wonderful, but it can also leave our digestive systems (and our nervous systems) a little depleted.
Late Summer is the season that asks us to come back to center. Where spring is about growth and summer is about expansion, Late Summer is about nourishment, digestion, and stability — rebuilding the foundation before the more introspective energy of fall arrives.
Simple Ways to Support Your Body This Season
You don't need a complete lifestyle overhaul — small, consistent shifts go a long way in supporting Earth energy right now.
1. Favor warm, cooked foods over raw and cold. Raw salads and iced drinks are refreshing in peak summer, but they ask more of your digestive system to break down. As we move into Late Summer, shifting toward warm, cooked, easily digestible meals (think soups, stews, roasted vegetables) gives your Spleen and Stomach a break.
2. Add naturally sweet, grounding foods. Not sugary — naturally sweet. Foods like squash, sweet potato, carrots, and oats are associated with the Earth element and are gentle, nourishing choices this time of year.
3. Eat on a regular schedule. Irregular eating times are one of the fastest ways to tax digestion. Aim for consistent mealtimes, and try not to skip meals or eat too late at night.
4. Slow down at mealtimes. Eating while distracted or rushed pulls energy away from digestion. Even five extra minutes of eating without your phone can make a noticeable difference.
5. Build in moments of stillness. Earth energy responds well to routine and calm. Short walks, gentle stretching, or a few minutes of quiet breathing can help settle a scattered mind.
6. Consider acupuncture as a seasonal reset. Acupuncture can help support digestion, ease bloating, calm the nervous system, and restore a sense of balance — making it a great tool for transitioning between seasons rather than waiting until you feel run down. Whether you're focused on fertility and women's health, pain relief, or facial rejuvenation, Late Summer is a great time to book a seasonal tune-up.
Looking Ahead to Fall
Once we move fully into autumn, the focus in TCM shifts to the Lung and Large Intestine — the organs associated with release, immunity, and letting go. But that's a conversation for next month. Right now, the invitation is simpler: slow down, nourish well, and get grounded.
If you've been feeling out of sync this season, this is a great time to come in. A little support now can make the transition into fall feel a lot smoother.
Ready to feel more grounded this season? Book your session today, and enjoy all of the beautiful things Rochester, NY has to offer these next few months.
xo Lea
