Reference; https://mbp-japan.com/jijico/articles/32482/
Modified and translated by CFJA
How to Stay Healthy During Periods of Extreme Heat
During periods of intense or extreme heat, it is simply not realistic to live without air conditioning. The key is not to avoid using air conditioning, but to use it appropriately while creating an environment that allows your body to dissipate heat efficiently without unnecessarily draining your energy.
However, spending long hours in an air-conditioned room, remaining physically inactive, and frequently consuming cold foods and beverages can cause the surface of the body to become cool while the abdomen and lower body gradually become chilled. As digestive function declines and fatigue begins to accumulate, you may be entering the early stages of summer fatigue.
If this internal “cold” persists, it may lead to poor sleep, reduced heat tolerance outdoors, and an increased risk of heat-related illness because the body becomes less efficient at regulating its temperature.
To avoid placing excessive strain on your digestive organs and autonomic nervous system, it is important not to rely solely on cold foods and drinks for relief from the heat. The following habits may help:
- Choose room-temperature or warm foods and beverages whenever possible.
- Before each meal, take a sip of a warm drink to gently prepare your digestive system.
- If you enjoy cold foods or drinks, consume them during the hottest part of the day, when your body can better tolerate the cooling effect.
- Engage in whole-body exercise, such as Radio Taiso (Japanese radio calisthenics), walking, or yoga.
Yoga, in particular, helps develop slow, steady breathing patterns that may support healthy autonomic nervous system function.
Before the hottest part of August arrives, adjusting your daily lifestyle during Summer Doyo provides a solid foundation for coping with prolonged periods of extreme heat.
AcuMoxa Therapy for Preventing Summer Fatigue
People who have not yet acclimatized to the heat are more likely to develop heat-related illness.⓯
If you begin to notice signs of summer fatigue, consider AcuMoxa therapy or Oketsu (blood stasis) therapy as part of your seasonal health care. Traditional Japanese AcuMoxa therapy helps support the body’s internal functions through carefully applied acupuncture and moxibustion, promoting physiological balance and improving overall resilience during the hottest time of the year.
Common signs of summer exhaustion include:
- Feeling unusually warm or flushed
- Becoming tired by late afternoon
- A sensation of chest tightness
- Shortness of breath
- Palpitations
Common signs of summer fatigue include:
- General fatigue or sluggishness
- Loss of appetite
- Persistent tiredness
- Poor or disrupted sleep
AcuMoxa therapy may also benefit people who continue to experience fatigue or poor physical condition following medical treatment or surgery. By stimulating the body’s regulatory mechanisms through carefully applied acupuncture and moxibustion, AcuMoxa therapy can complement conventional medical care and support recovery.
If you are experiencing persistent summer fatigue or would like to improve your overall health during the hottest months of the year, consult a licensed acupuncturist or a healthcare facility that offers AcuMoxa therapy. In addition to AcuMoxa therapy, regular exercise and proper breathing techniques are valuable tools for maintaining good health and resilience throughout the summer.
Reflections on Experiencing a Japanese Summer for the First Time in 30 Years
Experiencing a Japanese summer again after 30 years reminded me that preventing summer fatigue begins long before the hottest days arrive. Rather than waiting until the heat becomes overwhelming, it is essential to maintain good health and prepare your body throughout the season.
Using air conditioning and staying well hydrated are indispensable for preventing heat-related illness. However, spending long hours in air-conditioned environments while frequently consuming cold foods and drinks can reduce digestive function, leaving you feeling sluggish, decreasing your appetite, and even affecting the quality of your sleep.
At the same time, enduring excessive heat without adequate cooling can also be dangerous. The key is to find a healthy balance between protecting yourself from the heat and avoiding excessive cooling of the body.
During my recent stay in Japan, I repeatedly experienced the dramatic contrast between the intense outdoor heat and heavily air-conditioned indoor environments. Simply moving back and forth between the two requires the body to work continuously to regulate its temperature. It reminded me that everyday habits—such as eating well, getting enough sleep, sweating naturally, staying properly hydrated, and using air conditioning wisely—have a profound impact on our overall health.
Another important lesson was that, even when we believe we are tolerating the heat well, fatigue may be quietly accumulating inside the body.
Sudden tiredness in the evening, persistent fatigue, loss of appetite, restless sleep, palpitations, or shortness of breath may all be signs that the body is struggling to adapt to the summer heat.
To prevent summer fatigue, it is far better to respond when these early warning signs first appear rather than waiting until symptoms become severe. Taking time to rest and making small adjustments to your daily routine can often make a significant difference.
AcuMoxa therapy and Oketsu (blood stasis) therapy may also help support your health during the summer by addressing common concerns such as reduced appetite, disturbed sleep, fatigue, and the feeling of being chilled after prolonged exposure to air conditioning.
During periods of prolonged extreme heat, avoid overexertion. Use air conditioning appropriately, stay well hydrated, eat nourishing meals, and make sure you get adequate sleep. Maintaining your health each day and preparing your body to adapt to the summer climate are among the most effective ways to prevent summer fatigue.
My experience in Japan this summer gave me an opportunity to re-evaluate my own daily habits and health. I hope it also encourages you to pay attention to the small signals your body is sending and to enjoy a healthy, comfortable summer.
References
- Shin Nippon Calendar – Koyomi Seikatsu: Introduction to Doyo-boshi (Traditional Seasonal Airing)
- Kubota – Nakaboshi (Mid-Season Rice Field Drying)
- tenki.jp – Taisho (Great Heat): Understanding the Hottest Solar Term of the Year
- Japan Meteorological Agency – Introduction of the Term “Extreme Heat Day” (40°C or Higher)
- Could Excessive Cooling Be the Cause of Summer Fatigue? Is Summer Exhaustion Related to Cardiac Fatigue?
- Japan Meteorological Agency – Historical Weather Data
- WeatherX – Is Summer Becoming Longer?
- Japan Meteorological Agency – Urban Heat Island: Overview and Explanation
- Tokyo Metropolitan Government – Guide to Summer Heat Countermeasures
- Japan Meteorological Agency – El Niño and La Niña
- Weathernews – Why People Choose Shaved Ice Instead of Ice Cream Above 34°C
- TV Osaka – Summer Special: Refreshing Kakigōri
- Fukuoka Pharmaceutical Association – Questions and Answers on Indoor Climate
- Weathernews – Pollen Inside (Referenced Climate Data)
- Why Does Heatstroke Often Occur Indoors? The Importance of Air Conditioning
- Is Your Sense of Temperature Normal? How to Maintain Healthy Thermosensation?