Seasons and the Body Series ① Is a lack of appetite a sign from your body? ― Before taking measures against summer fatigue, listen to what your body is telling you ―
The annual "Doyo no Ushi no Hi" (Midsummer Day of the Ox) arrives.
Around this time, supermarkets and restaurants line up eel, and you see the phrase "Let's build up stamina to get through the summer" everywhere.
If you are currently thinking,
"It's so hot and I have no appetite, but should I eat eel today?"
If you are feeling conflicted like that, I would like to offer a slightly different perspective today.
Actually,a loss of appetite when it is hot is one of the natural reactions of the body trying to adapt to the environment.also.
So today, before you think "I have to eat because I have summer fatigue," let's look at what is happening in your body together.
The true nature of the July heat: The dissonance between humidity and the autonomic nervous system
The heat in July is slightly different in quality from the heat in August.
Immediately after the rainy season ends, the humidity is high, and because sweat does not evaporate easily, it is difficult for heat to escape from the body.
Furthermore, at this time, you are still in the middle of "heat acclimatization," where you are not yet fully used to the heat.
To keep your body temperature constant, your autonomic nervous system is working at full capacity.
Therefore,
"I feel somewhat sluggish"
"My body feels heavy"
"I have no appetite"
It is not uncommon to end up in such a state.
Your body is working harder than you think right now to adapt to the heat.
Loss of appetite is a defensive reaction of the body
The loss of appetite that occurs at such times.
I consider this an "energy-saving mode" for the body to protect itself.
Digesting, absorbing, and metabolizing food also requires a lot of energy.
If it is hot outside and your autonomic nervous system is already working hard, adding the burden of digestion means your gastrointestinal tract has no time to rest.
That is why the body tries to reduce the burden by lowering your appetite,
"Let's give the stomach and intestines a little rest now."
In other words,
it is not a "body that cannot eat," but rather a "state where the body is choosing what it can do right now."
Is Doyo no Ushi no Hi 250-year-old copywriting?
However, we sometimes interpret those signs from the body as,
"I have to build up stamina because I have summer fatigue."
This is where I want to recall the origin of "Doyo no Ushi no Hi."
There are various theories, but it is said that it began when Gennai Hiraga put up a sign saying "Today is Doyo no Ushi no Hi" to sell eel that wasn't selling well during the summer.
By skillfully utilizing the idea that "eating things with the character 'u' on the Day of the Ox brings good luck,"
"eating eel in the summer to build stamina"spread.
Even now, more than 250 years later, it moves dining tables all over Japan.
When you think about it, it is truly amazing copywriting.
But looking at it from the perspective of how the body works, a slightly different picture emerges.
When your stomach and intestines are saying,
"I want you to let me rest a little,"if you force yourself to eat things that are high in fat and protein and take a long time to digest,
it can put an even greater burden on your stomach and intestines.
It is like,
telling your stomach and intestines, which are trying to rest, "Let's work overtime!"
Of course, there is no need for those who have an appetite and feel "I want to eat deliciously today" to hold back.
But if your body feels "it's heavy today," I want you to cherish that sign as well.
Choosing according to your body today
So, how should you spend your time on days when it is hot and you have no appetite?
First, it is important to gradually get your body used to the heat.
Moving your body within a reasonable range or taking a bath to cultivate a body that can sweat is also preparation for summer.
And on days when you have no appetite, try prioritizing resting your stomach and intestines rather than forcing yourself to pack in stamina food.
For example,
・Rice porridge or rice soup
・Miso soup with lots of ingredients
・Tofu
・Softly boiled vegetables
・Small amounts of easily digestible food
That kind of eating is enough.
Seasonal summer vegetables like watermelon, cucumbers, and tomatoes also help replenish water and minerals.
However, on days when you feel like you are only having cold things in an air-conditioned room, try adjusting according to your body that day, such as having them at room temperature or adding a warm soup.
The body will properly tell you the answer
What I also value in my treatments is
"observing the body's reactions."
Are you able to drink water naturally?
Do you think you can eat a little?
Did your body feel better after eating?
Or did it feel heavy?
The body is always telling you,
"how it feels comfortable to eat,"
not "what you should eat."
There is no need to blame yourself for not having an appetite.
Instead of just following information like "you should do this because it's summer," try choosing while feeling what state your body is in today.
I believe that is the best shortcut to spending this hot season comfortably.
Conclusion
Our bodies change little by little with the seasons.
Things that felt comfortable at the beginning of summer may no longer suit you by the end of summer.
Therefore, what was right yesterday is not necessarily right today.
In the next installment, "Seasons and the Body Series ②," I would like to talk about the changes in the body during the latter half of summer, which begin around the start of autumn, specifically “It is hot outside, but the inside of the body is cold.”
When the seasons change, the body changes too.
So, rather than relying on what was right yesterday, cherish the voice of your body today.
I would be happy if we could spend this summer together while keeping that perspective in mind.
🌱 Aligning Body, Consciousness, and Words: CalmCure_Lab
Observing the body's reactions.
Becoming aware of consciousness you hadn't noticed before.
And putting your own sensations into words.
At CalmCure_Lab, through treatments, energy rebalancing, and dialogue with AI, I provide support to help you understand your current state and return to your true center.
Body, consciousness, and words.
Even if the entry points are different, the goal is to "return to yourself and move on to the next step."
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