Eating, Moving, and Thinking with the Summer Season in Mind

In New England, we live by the seasons. We feel them in our bones. And after the long quiet of winter and the slow awakening of spring, summer arrives not just as a shift in temperature,  but as a call to emerge. It invites us to open the windows, step outside, and fully engage with life.

At Monadnock Natural Health, we believe that true wellness comes from living in alignment with your body, your purpose, and the natural world. And that alignment changes with the seasons.

So how do we live with summer instead of pushing against it? How do we let it energize us without overwhelming us? It begins with honoring the rhythm of the season, in how we eat, how we move, and how we think.

Eat in Season: Light, Fresh, and Energizing

Summer is the season of heat and motion. The body tends to crave lighter, cooling foods that support hydration, digestion, and detoxification.

Support your body this summer by focusing on:

• Seasonal produce like cucumbers, tomatoes, leafy greens, herbs, berries, and zucchini

  
  
  
  

• Hydrating foods such as melons, citrus fruits, and coconut water

  
  
  
  

• Cooling herbs like mint, basil, cilantro, and parsley

  
  
  
  

• Raw or lightly cooked meals that nourish without weighing you down

  
  
  
  

• Bitters (like arugula and dandelion greens) to support liver health and digestion

  
  
  
  

Let your meals reflect the vibrancy of the season, colorful, alive, and simple. This is a perfect time to visit your local farmer’s market, eat outside, and let food be a joyful part of your daily ritual.

Move with the Light: Energize, Then Restore

Longer days mean more sunlight, more activity, and more opportunity to be outside. But more isn’t always better.

Summer is a great time to move your body in ways that feel joyful and expressive, but it’s equally important to balance that energy with moments of intentional stillness.

Aligned summer movement might include:

• Early morning walks or hikes before the heat sets in

  
  
  
  

• Swimming, which cools the body and eases inflammation

  
  
  
  

• Yoga in nature, grounding, stretching, and breathing with the breeze

  
  
  
  

• Rebounding or light cardio to keep lymphatic flow moving

  
  
  
  

• Intentional rest: shady porch naps, restorative yoga, lying on the grass under the sky

  
  
  
  

Movement should energize without depleting, tune in and let your body guide the pace.

Think in Season: Momentum with Purpose

Summer is outward energy. It wants to expand, grow, and reach. But motion without mindfulness can become burnout.

This is the season to refine your vision, take aligned action, and celebrate progress, not perfection.

To live in mental alignment with the season:

• Journal: “What is one action I can take today that supports the life I’m building?”

  
  
  
  

• Notice nature: Let the rhythm of birds, flowers, and trees remind you to bloom at your own pace.

  
  
  
  

• Practice gratitude for sunlight, fresh air, and moments of joy.

  
  
  
  

• Unplug regularly: Not everything that demands your attention deserves it.

  
  
  
  

• Gather: Connection is powerful medicine. Let yourself be part of a tribe that uplifts you.

  
  
  
  

This Summer, Align with What Matters

Living in season doesn’t mean being perfect; it means being present. It means noticing what your body needs, what your mind is telling you, and what your heart is ready to say yes to.

This June, we invite you to livewithsummer. To nourish your body, move with joy, think with clarity, and connect with others who share your desire to thrive.

All the Best,

Jamie-Lynn Hazzard