Beat the Summer Heat: Mindful Techniques to Cool Your Energy
Summer gets framed as this golden, light-filled season — and in a lot of ways, it is. Longer days, more sunshine, open windows, and that collective permission to be a little freer. But for many of us, it also comes with… well, just a lot.
A lot more heat. A lot more noise. A lot more doing.
And I totally get it. I’m a fire sign, born smack in the middle of summer, in the deep South no less — which makes people assume I thrive in this season. But for most of my life? I hated it. The intensity, the pressure to be “on” all the time, the way everything felt loud and relentless… it was overwhelming. I spent years wondering why everyone else seemed to come alive in summer while I just felt like I was melting — emotionally and energetically.
It wasn’t until I started learning how to work with the energy of summer instead of pushing against it that things shifted. Once I understood how seasonal energy can impact the body, mind, and spirit, I finally felt like I had tools — not just to survive summer, but to actually appreciate it in a new way.
So if you’ve been feeling overstimulated, restless, or just “off” lately, you’re not imagining it. Summer brings real energetic heat — and when you know how to cool it down, you can meet the season without burning out.
Why Summer Heat Affects Your Energy
In energetic traditions like Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine, summer aligns with the element of fire. Think: action, growth, outward movement, and heat. It’s the season of expansion — but too much of that outward push can throw your system off center.
Here’s how that energetic fire tends to show up:
Restlessness: You may feel like you need to be doing something constantly, even if your body is asking for rest.
Emotional reactivity: Heat stirs up strong emotions — especially frustration, impatience, or irritability.
“Wired but tired” syndrome: The body is tired, but the mind won’t slow down — especially at night.
Physical inflammation: Summer’s heat can contribute to puffiness, tension, or a general feeling of being inflamed.
Energetic scatter: That outward pull makes it harder to stay centered or grounded.
Understanding these patterns helps you work with the season instead of feeling at its mercy.
Mini Quiz: Is Your Energy Running Hot?
If you’ve been feeling off lately, pause and take this short check-in.
Mark any that sound like you:
☐ Small things are setting me off — I’m more irritable than usual
☐ I can’t focus — my thoughts are jumpy or all over the place
☐ I feel tired, but wired — especially at night
☐ My body feels warm, tight, or just plain tense
☐ I’m craving cool, dark, quiet spaces — even though I’m usually more social
☐ I keep saying “yes” to stuff… and then dreading it later
☐ I feel emotionally overstimulated, like everything’s a bit too loud
If you checked 3 or more boxes, your system might be running hot — physically, energetically, or emotionally. No shame, no judgment. Your body is just asking for more calm, cool, and steady. Keep reading for easy ways to regulate and reset.
5 Cooling Practices to Regulate Summer Energy
Cooling breathwork
When your thoughts are racing or your body feels hot, your breath can bring you back into balance — quickly.
Try this:
Practice pursed-lip breathing:
Inhale through your nose for a count of four
Exhale through pursed lips (like blowing through a straw) for a count of six
Repeat for a few rounds, letting your shoulders drop on each exhale
Why it works:
This activates your parasympathetic nervous system and literally cools your body through breath control.
Herbal hydration rituals
Hydrating is great. Hydrating with intention? Even better.
Try this:
Infuse your water with cooling herbs like mint, lemon balm, cucumber, or basil
Drink slowly and pause to notice how it feels in your body
Keep a pitcher in the fridge as a gentle daily ritual
Why it works:
These herbs help cool your system naturally — and the act of slowing down to sip helps calm the mind.
Ground and chill (literally)
Hot, scattered energy benefits from grounding and shade — not just metaphorically, but physically.
Try this:
Go barefoot in grass or sand
Sit or lie in the shade and let yourself not do anything
Place your hands on the earth and take three deep breaths
Why it works:
Earth energy helps pull excess heat down and out of your body. It’s like plugging into a calm, quiet power source.
Cooling color visualization
Your imagination is a powerful tool for energetic regulation.
Try this:
Close your eyes and picture a wave of cool, soft blue light moving over your body
Imagine it melting away tension and cooling every cell
Pair this with breathwork or rest for a quick energetic reset
Why it works:
Colors carry vibration — and visualizing cool tones helps shift your system out of “overheat mode.”
Energetic cold compress
You don’t have to go full spa mode, but a little cool pressure can calm your system fast.
Try this:
Use chilled stones like jade or moonstone (or another non-toxic stone you connect with)
Place them on pulse points: wrists, behind the neck, between your brows
Breathe and let the sensation soften your energy
Why it works:
Touch + cooling = instant grounding and energetic clarity.
Journaling Prompts to Cool Your Inner Fire
Need to mentally reset? Grab a journal and try one (or all) of these:
Where am I pushing too hard right now?
What kind of support or rest do I need more of this season?
What helps me feel cool, calm, and emotionally clear?
Affirmations to Reset and Refresh
Use these whenever you feel your energy heating up:
“I let go of urgency and return to ease.”
“I am cool, calm, and connected to my body.”
“I give myself permission to slow down and soften.”
Final Thoughts
You don’t have to match summer’s high energy to enjoy it. You’re allowed to move more slowly, say no to the overwhelm, and protect your peace.
Whether you’re dealing with the literal heat or just the energetic chaos of the season, these practices can help you reset and find your calm again — no shame, no pressure, no performance needed.
Still Have Questions?
If you have more questions that I didn’t address here, based on your specific situation or anything else, please don’t hesitate to ask me. I’d love to see how I could be of service!
