When discussing mental health preservation in summer, The Yellow Emperor’s Classic clearly states: “Let the will not be angry, let the brilliance bloom beautifully, let the vital energy circulate freely, as if deeply interested in the outside world. This is the proper way to adapt to summer’s energy and the essence of health preservation.” This means in summer, one’s spirit should be as delicate and beautiful as a budding flower. Avoid anger, allow the body’s qi to flow smoothly and freely, with emotions outwardly directed and keen interest in the external world—this is the correct approach to summer health preservation. In mental care, traditional Chinese medicine teaches that “winter should store, spring should grow,” while summer should release—spirit should be vibrant, full, and outwardly oriented. Only with abundant spirit can bodily functions remain vigorous and harmonious. If spirit dissipates, all bodily functions collapse. As The Medical Book notes: “Those who truly preserve life do not exhaust their spirit or strain their body. When spirit and body are at peace, how can misfortune arise?” However, summer’s intense heat often causes irritability, and irritation only increases heat. Thus, calming the mind and centering the spirit is especially crucial. Qiu Chuji said: “In the three months of summer, to stabilize the spirit, one must ‘calm the heart, cut off sounds and colors externally, limit tastes internally, dwell in high places, gaze afar, go to bed early and rise early, not resent the sun, follow the righteous yang energy to dispel summer heat.’ He emphasized that to avoid heat, one should not only seek shade in quiet, open spaces like pavilions, water halls, and shaded woods, but also “regulate breathing and purify the mind,” keeping the heart as cool as ice and snow—thus reducing the sensation of heat. Never regard heat as heat, or it will generate more heat.” This insight is profound: tranquility brings coolness. Ancient poetry says: “To avoid heat, there’s no need to seek mountain springs; simply keep your mind empty of worries, and you’ll be in a cool mountain paradise.”
The Yellow Emperor’s Classic states: “South produces heat, heat gives rise to fire,” and fire governs summer, corresponding internally to the heart. The heart governs blood and houses the spirit—the sovereign official. Excessive emotions can harm the heart, causing spiritual unrest. As The Yellow Emperor’s Classic warns: “Sorrow and worry move the heart; when the heart moves, all five zang and six fu organs tremble.” This illustrates that abnormal emotions can damage heart function, and conversely, heart dysfunction can affect all bodily functions. Thus, summer mental health preservation is especially critical.
Especially during summer, when heat dominates, intense sunlight causes the pores to open and sweat to escape. Since sweat is the fluid of the heart, heart qi is easily depleted—what TCM calls “excessive fire consumes qi.” Because “summer heat easily affects the heart,” and “the heart governs spirit,” many mental symptoms arise, such as irritability, delirium, and unconsciousness. In severe heatstroke cases, many patients fall into coma. In such situations, acupuncture or pressing the “Renzhong” point (located at the upper third of the nasolabial groove) and the “Shixuan” points (at the fingertips of both hands) with needle pricks to release blood are recommended.
If it’s long summer, characterized by humid heat—high temperature, no wind, minimal temperature difference between morning and evening—people often feel chest tightness, leading to irritability and frustration, increasing the risk of mental illness.
In summary, mental activity is closely linked to heart function. Ancient people experienced this in daily life: heartbeats differ depending on emotional state. Calmness brings steady heartbeat; excitement speeds it up. The heart’s connection to emotions arises because “the heart stores blood, and blood houses the spirit.” Blood is the vessel of qi. The heart governs spirit and consciousness through its role in circulating blood. When blood is abundant, the spirit is clear, thinking sharp, and energy high. When blood is deficient, the heart lacks nourishment, leading to insomnia, vivid dreams, forgetfulness, dizziness, and mental exhaustion. Thus, the foundation of summer mental health preservation is ensuring the heart’s ability to circulate blood properly. How to ensure this?
The Yellow Emperor’s Classic says: “The heart corresponds to the pulse… eating too much salt causes the pulse to thicken and change color”; “Overconsumption of salt suppresses heart qi.” This shows that excessive salt intake harms the heart. Modern nutrition science confirms that heart muscle development and blood circulation require high-quality protein, which must be replenished promptly. Excessive fat intake leads to “fatty heart” and increases the risk of arteriosclerosis. It’s best to consume foods that lower blood lipids, such as soybeans, mushrooms, peanuts, ginger, garlic, onions, tea, yogurt, soft-shelled turtle, seaweed, corn oil, and hawthorn. Low-salt diets greatly benefit cardiovascular disease prevention, as excessive sodium increases cardiac workload and raises the risk of hypertension.
Excessive body weight also burdens the heart, so weight control is essential. There are many ways to lose weight, but physical exercise and dietary management are key. Regular exercise boosts coronary artery blood flow, greatly benefiting the heart.
In short, the foundation of summer mental health preservation is protecting the heart. Beyond this, one must also “allow the brilliance to bloom beautifully.” How to achieve a vibrant spirit?
First, have meaningful goals. Humans possess thoughts and aspirations. With clear goals, one can overcome life’s obstacles. Good beliefs generate conscious willpower and positive emotions. Numerous activities—painting, calligraphy, carving, music, chess, gardening, stamp collecting, fishing, travel—can provide mental fulfillment and cultivate emotions, achieving emotional transformation and health improvement.
Second, constantly refine one’s character. Always monitor your emotions. If you detect impatience, anxiety, sorrow, anger, or narrow-mindedness, actively work to prevent recurrence—this requires continuous learning and self-cultivation. Guanzi’s Inner Chapters say: “To stop anger, turn to poetry; to ease sorrow, turn to joy; to moderate joy, turn to ritual; to uphold ritual, turn to respect; to uphold respect, turn to stillness. Stillness within, respect without—return to one’s true nature, and nature will be greatly stabilized.” The Yellow Emperor’s Classic describes the sage’s path to health: “No resentment or anger,” “No mental distress,” “Pursue tranquility and joy.” Thus, cultivating virtue and self-discipline, facing life’s disappointments with openness and smiles, is essential personal cultivation.
First, have meaningful tasks to avoid mental emptiness; second, maintain good mental discipline to resist external negative influences. If both are achieved, the spirit will naturally be full, and one will “not tire of the sun”—this is the fundamental principle of summer mental health preservation.
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