Feeling bloated, sluggish, or stuck in a cycle of overthinking

by | Sep 13, 2025 | Late Summer | 0 comments

Feeling sluggish or bloated? Solutions for the stomach in late summer.

I Am Your Stomach – The Voice of Late Summer

I am your Stomach, and this is my season.
Late summer is the great turning, the moment when life begins to shift from the height of summer’s bright, outward energy toward the slower, softer embrace of autumn. This is the season of transformation, and I am at the very heart of it.

My role is simple, but it is everything: I receive, I break down, I transform. I am the bridge between the outside world and the deepest parts of you. I take in not just food, but experiences, thoughts, and emotions. I help you digest life itself.

My Prime Time

My energy is at its peak between 7 and 9 a.m, the perfect time for a nourishing breakfast. This is when I’m most ready to receive, to churn, and to set the tone for your whole day. Give me something hearty, warm, and grounding, and you give me the strength to support you until evening.

The Ritual of Eating

Here’s what I love:

  1. See your food – When your eyes feast first, my digestive process begins.
  2. Smell your food – Aromas awaken me before the first bite.
  3. Chew well – I have no teeth, so please do this part for me. Saliva is my ally; it’s the first step in breaking down your meal.
  4. Taste every bite – Savouring flavours slows you down and keeps me happy.
  5. Eat without distraction – No TV, no phone; give me your full attention.

When you do this, you nourish me and in return, I nourish you.

My Emotional Landscape

My highest expression is empathy. When I am content, I radiate self-worth, confidence, and affection. I am satisfied and generous, thoughtful and steady.
But when worry creeps in, I grow unsettled. Overthinking, self-doubt, and low self-esteem cloud my work. I can become greedy, critical, or moody if I feel deprived or smothered.

Too much cold or raw food in the wrong season, too much sugar, or a diet out of balance makes me sluggish. Just as physical dampness weighs me down, emotional dampness over-nurturing others while neglecting yourself can do the same.

My Partnership with the Pancreas & Spleen

I don’t work alone. My close allies, the pancreas and spleen, join me in producing digestive enzymes and managing the flow of nutrients. When we’re in harmony, your whole system runs smoothly. When I am off-balance, you may see signs like weight issues, poor circulation, weakness in the lower limbs, cold sores, anaemia, appetite changes, or even ovarian and uterine imbalances.

My Ten Seasonal Tips

If I could give you advice for late summer, it would be this:

  1. Eat your largest meal in the morning between 7–9 a.m.
  2. Choose warm, cooked foods: avoid too much raw, cold, or sugary fare.
  3. Chew every bite thoroughly: I cannot do my job without your help. Click the link for researched information from Zoe
  4. Eat in a calm space: no rushing, no multitasking.NO T.V.!
  5. Avoid overthinking while eating: mental worry is as hard for me to digest as bad food.
  6. Balance sweet flavours: a little natural sweetness is fine, too much overwhelms me.
  7. Move gently after meals: a slow walk helps me work without strain.
  8. Stay in tune with the season: adjust meals as the weather shifts. Warmer food as the weather gets colder
  9. Notice what you are ‘stomaching’ emotionally: let go of what doesn’t nourish you.
  10. Give thanks for your meals: gratitude softens and strengthens me at once.

My Bigger Role

I am not just a physical organ. I am the CEO of Nourishment — in charge of rotting and ripening, of mentally digesting and disseminating information. I govern the descending energy in your body, sending food and thought where they need to go. If I am upset, I may send you hiccups or nausea to get your attention.

When you nourish me on all levels — physically, mentally, emotionally — I help you make good decisions, see clearly, and act with compassion. I am the seat of reason, interaction, and understanding. I am your partner in empathy and your anchor in times of transition. Care for me now, and I will carry you into the quieter months with strength, steadiness, and satisfaction.

Julie Hanson – Seasonal Yoga

For more information, download the Seasonal way for late summer

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