Embracing Seasonal Attunement for Lasting Wellness
From The Flight Attendant Nextdoor:
If you’ve been following along, you know that Grounded in Care wasn’t just a blog series — it was a season of my life. Over the past few months, I’ve been learning to slow down, prioritize my health, and truly practice what I share here about living in rhythm with your body. Between flights, studies, and family, I realized that being “grounded” isn’t about stopping — it’s about rooting deeper into what sustains you.
So yes, I’m posting this a season behind — but intentionally so. I needed time to realign and pour into myself before sharing this next part of the journey. And honestly, that pause made all the difference. 🌸
Now, let’s step into this Late Summer Body Harmony Experience, part of my ongoing five-part seasonal wellness series (Spring, Summer, Late Summer, Autumn, and Winter). This practice of Seasonal Attunement — rooted in traditional Asian medicine — has been guiding me toward a deeper connection with my body and nature’s rhythms.
Each season, I focus on nourishing and cleansing specific organ systems to support long-term health. The more I live this way, the more I understand that true wellness isn’t found in trends — it’s found in alignment.
The Significance of Late Summer in Wellness
Late summer — typically August through early September — is often overlooked, but it plays a powerful transitional role. In traditional Chinese medicine, it’s linked to the Earth element, which governs the Spleen and Stomach — the body’s main hubs for digestion, nourishment, and energy.
When these systems are unbalanced, we feel it — from physical symptoms like bloating or fatigue to emotional ones like worry or overthinking.
Signs of Imbalance in the Late Summer Season
Physical:
Bloating, gas, or indigestion
Sugar cravings and irregular appetite
Fatigue or sluggishness
Water retention and weak muscles
Weight fluctuations
Emotional/Mental:
Overthinking or excessive worry
Brain fog or lack of focus
Emotional eating
Low motivation
If this sounds familiar, late summer is your gentle reminder to slow down and reset before autumn fully settles in.
My Personal Late Summer Wellness Reset
For the past few years, I’ve been focused on improving my digestion — and honestly, it’s been life-changing. Gut health has become the foundation of how I care for myself.
Two books that continue to inspire me are:
📘 The Histamine Reset Plan — a deep dive into how food affects your energy and mood
📗 Juicing for Life — a timeless favorite I discovered at a library sale years ago
Here’s how I supported my spleen and stomach this late summer:
1. Nourishing My Body with Late Summer-Aligned Foods
The spleen and stomach thrive on warm, cooked, and easy-to-digest foods. My plate has been filled with:
Earthy & Naturally Sweet Foods:
Pumpkin, squash, sweet potatoes, carrots, corn, millet, quinoa, chickpeas, lentils, apples, pears, figs, and dates
Healing Proteins:
Bone broth (a staple for gut repair), eggs, organic poultry, and freshwater fish
Fermented Foods (in moderation):
Kefir, miso, sauerkraut, kimchi, and other probiotic-rich veggies
Herbs & Spices for Digestion:
Ginger, cinnamon, turmeric, cardamom, and licorice root
2. Supporting My Spleen with Juices & Nutrient-Rich Blends
Juicing gives the digestive system a little vacation while delivering nutrients straight to the cells. These blends have been on repeat:
🍠 Digestion Booster Juice
1 small sweet potato
2 carrots
1 apple
½ inch ginger
½ lemon
✔️ Anti-inflammatory and rich in beta-carotene for gut health
🍍 Enzyme-Rich Pineapple Mint Juice
1 cup pineapple
½ cucumber
Handful of mint
½ lime
✔️ Bromelain-rich for digestion and bloating relief
💛 Golden Gut Smoothie
1 banana
½ cup coconut milk
1 tsp turmeric
½ tsp cinnamon
1 tbsp chia seeds
½ tsp raw honey
✔️ Soothing, anti-inflammatory, and balancing for blood sugar
3. Herbs, Vitamins & Supplements for Late Summer Balance
🌿 For Spleen Health:
Astragalus Root — strengthens energy and immunity
Licorice Root — protects the stomach lining
Dandelion Root — supports gentle detoxification
🌿 For Stomach Health:
Ginger — boosts digestion
Peppermint — soothes and relieves discomfort
Chamomile — calms both the stomach and the mind
💊 Supporting Nutrients:
Probiotics — nurture a healthy gut microbiome
Magnesium — relieves tension and supports rest
B Vitamins — enhance energy and focus
4. Lifestyle Practices to Enhance Digestive Health
Wellness is as much about routine as it is about rhythm. These daily habits help me feel grounded from the inside out:
🧘♀️ Movement & Breathwork
Gentle yoga poses (twists, child’s pose)
Deep belly breathing
Short walks after meals
💆♀️ Stress & Overthinking Management
Journaling or brain-dumping before bed
Singing or humming to release tension (the spleen loves vibration!)
Light acupressure on the stomach and spleen meridians
🕰️ Meal Mindfulness
Warm meals over cold salads or smoothies
Sitting down to eat — no multitasking
Chewing slowly and thoroughly
Final Thoughts: Preparing for the Transition to Autumn
This late summer reset has reminded me that alignment isn’t about being perfect — it’s about being present. Taking this extra time to slow down and tune in has made the shift into autumn feel lighter and more intentional.
Even though this post is arriving later than planned, I hope it reaches you right on time — exactly when you need the reminder to nurture your center. 💛
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