SELF CARE SERIES #36
LATE SUMMER RESET – FINDING BALANCE AND LETTING GO

Transitioning from Late Summer to Fall with intention: In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Late Summer is known as a fifth season — a powerful time to ground your energy, rebalance digestion, and prepare for the inward pull of fall. As the Fall Equinox nears, the vibrant outward Yang energy of summer yields to the cooler, quieter Yin energy of autumn.

Fall is governed by the Metal element, linked to the lungs and large intestine — the organs of taking in and letting go. Just like trees begin to shed their leaves, we too are invited to release stagnation and make space for what nourishes us most.

In nature we see trees letting go of leaves, conserving energy for the winter ahead. It is also a time for us to eliminate what is weighing us down physically and emotionally, in order for us to stay balanced and healthy as we transition into the colder months.

Late summer/fall is the season when we are more susceptible to respiratory and digestion issues as well as sadness.

10 TIPS TO FORTIFY THE LUNGS AND LARGE INTESTINES TO HELP INCREASE ENERGY LEVELS, COMBAT FATIGUE AND CHASE AWAY THE BLUES.

TIP #1: BREATHE. Take in long deep breaths that fills your lungs and belly, followed by a long slow exhales. Most of us don’t breathe properly but a few deep breaths can work miracles for mood, memory, energy levels and the immune system. Meditation, along with deep breathing exercises helps strengthen the lungs, release grief and cultivate inner stillness and peace. The energy of the lungs is ‘letting go.’

TIP #2: DETOX: Dry brushing is perfect for detoxing. Not only does this technique revitalize energy but also exfoliates dead skin cells and promotes lymphatic drainage, crucial to a healthy immune system and fighting infection.

Use the courser Sisal Dry Brush to effectively exfoliate away dead skin cells and the softer Jute Dry Brush to stimulate the lymphatic system. Made with soft Jute fiber this dry brush is specifically designed to facilitate a healthy immune system by stimulating lymphatic flow.

Try the ancient Ayurvedic practice of Oil Pulling. Swishing a spoonful of GingerChi Oral Detox around the mouth for about 20 minutes stimulates glands, to help detoxify the body, maintain oral health and improve overall Chi.

How to Dry Brush:

- Always brush on dry skin before bathing or showering

- Use light pressure and brush in long, upward strokes

- Start at feet and brush upward toward heart

- Brush hands to shoulders, abdomen clockwise, and down the neck After, apply Lavender Ginger Body Oil to calm nerves and nourish skin.

Dry brushing paired with body oil application is a powerful duo to support detox, reduce puffiness, improve skin tone, and calm your energy as you prepare for the fall season.

Explore the Dry Brush Ritual → [link]
Discover Lavender Ginger Body Oil → [link

TIP #3: EAT FALL FOODS. As the season becomes colder and damp, avoid cooling foods like salads and raw foods. Consume heartier soups and stews and foods that nourish lung Chi - like sweet potatoes, cabbage, pears, walnuts, rice, cinnamon, leeks, beans asparagus, broccoli, apples and grapes.

Herbs such ginger, garlic, onions, chili, cinnamon, black pepper help stimulate and fortify the system.

Because the season can be drying – cucumbers, celery, pears, apple, plums and grapes help provide water content.

Support the large intestines with flax seed, yoghurt, oatmeal and Chia seeds.

To reduce phlegm, cut down on dairy, sugar and wheat. Support your immune system by taking Quercetin supplements, eat vegetables such as mustard greens, dandelion leaves and drink tea with licorice and goji berries.

 

TiP #4: ABDOMINAL MASSAGE RITUAL TO AID DIGESTION AND PROMOTE STOMACH (EARTH) CHI: Modern lifestyles and diets have led to a rise in digestive stagnation, bloating, and energy imbalances. In response, ancient self-care rituals are re-emerging — including “navel pulling,” an Ayurvedic practice using castor oil that has recently gone viral on TikTok.

While the trend draws attention to the benefits of abdominal self-massage, abdominal massage has been a core part of Traditional Chinese Medicine for thousands of years, supporting digestion, easing bloating, and moving stagnant Chi — especially during seasonal transitions when the large intestine meridian is active.

Our approach is rooted in this time-honored TCM tradition.
Tummy Tone Massage Oil, featuring warming Ginger Essential Oil, is specially formulated with pure botanicals to:

- Stimulate acupressure points

- Invigorate circulation

- Support natural digestive flow

- Tone and tighten the abdomen

- Relieve bloating and emotional tension

How to do it:

- Apply 3–5 drops of Tummy Tone to your abdomen, ideally after bathing.

- Massage in slow, clockwise circles using your fingertips or massage tool.

- Focus especially around the navel and lower belly.

- Breathe deeply throughout to enhance relaxation and energy flow.

This daily ritual is a powerful way to support your body and Chi during the Late Summer reset.

Tummy Tone includes a full step-by-step ritual guide.
Try the Tummy Tone Ritual → [link]

TIP #5: EAT FREQUENTLY. Taking long breaks between meals can leave you feeling lethargic and in need of a nap. Keep health snacks close by, and try and eat every four hours to keep your energy at optimum levels throughout the day and night.

TIP #6: TAKE WARMING BATHS. During this cooler and damp season, maintain inner body heat by taking more hot baths if possible, and drink  warming and nourishing teas.

A therapeutic warm bath with ginger, and or salt can help reduce the epidemic of prostate cancer, or female problems such as fibroid tumors. Stress also contributes to lower body temperature, especially in the lower extremities. Heat and stress energy accumulates mostly in the upper body, compromising the lower body.

TIP #7: AROMATHERAPY. Studies have shown that certain blends of essential oils can increase the productions of endorphins and revitalize the senses as quickly as three seconds. Using aromatherapy in your bath or shower in the morning helps stimulate your energy level and provides you with a good start to the day.

Essential oils such as any of the Citrus Oils: Orange, Lemon, Grapefruit, Petitgrain, Neroli, or Bergamot, known as ‘happy oils’ helps put you in a positive mood and boosts your energy These essential oils can be found in our Stress Relief Roll-on, and soon to be released 5 Element Oil Set

TIP #8: DETOX: HARNESS CHI TO FIND BALANCE. Imbalance shows up in our bodies in the form of skin inflammation, eczema, constipation, diarrhea, allergies, sinus infections, coughs and colds. This is caused by stagnation and blockage of Chi. It is vital to keep Chi flowing through physical movement.

Dance. Nothing is like shaking your booty to your favorite song to wake up your entire body, and it only takes a few minutes to feel alive and full of joy.

Regular yoga or gentle stretching helps with flexibility and stiffness in joints and provides an overall sense of well-being

One quick and simple ritual every morning which we recommend is the 5 Tibetan Rites. This amazing 20-minute routine give you a great start and can provide on going energy throughout the day! For slower paced meditative movement, try Tai Chi or Chi Kung.

Note: Practice these exercises outdoors in nature to absorb the Chi from the environment.

Regular Tui-Nah Massage and Acupuncture treatments can help maintain balance, avoid stagnation and regulate the flow of vital Chi.

TIP #10: LETTING GO. Take stock of what you have in your life. Fall is the perfect time to go through and clean out closets, your email inbox, kitchen drawers, the refrigerator. The list goes on. Discard what is no longer needed - pare down, donate and organize. Get rid of what’s not working physically (and mentally).

If it is too overwhelming, do a little bit at a time. Spend half and hour every day and before you know it you will be surprised how much can get accomplished.

Note: Journaling is a good way to help organize your thoughts and emotions so that you can start processing what the blockages that are in your life and begin to dispel them.

Let go of the ‘old’  and bring in new energy and new possibilities.

 

Final Thoughts: This seasonal shift is a powerful invitation to pause, reset, and realign. By preparing during Late Summer, you help fortify your immune system and reinforce your Chi — laying the foundation for strength, balance, and resilience in the colder months ahead.

Hope you you enjoyed these tips and will use them in your daily life. With simple rituals like dry brushing, abdominal massage, and warming foods, you can move through Late Summer and into Fall feeling light, grounded, and glowing.

Have a healthy, happy Fall :)
Anna Lam
Founder, GingerChi