Transitioning Gracefully into Autumn
How Late Summer Sets The Tone For Fall Digestion, Mood, And Energy
This is a part 4 of 4 in the Late Summer Health Series:
(We recommend starting with the Five Elements Series for deeper context if you haven't yet.)
Transitioning Gracefully into Autumn (You are here)
Late Summer gradually gives way to Autumn—but the shift isn't always sudden or smooth. In Chinese Medicine, this in-between time calls for thoughtful transitions in how we eat, move, and care for ourselves. This post explores how to support your digestion, emotions, and rhythms as we cross the seasonal threshold. With the Spleen and Lung organs at the centre, it offers grounded practices to help you move gently into Fall.
Letting Go with Care
As late summer winds down, we begin to sense the subtle pull toward autumn. The days grow shorter and the air becomes cooler. Even before the leaves change, something in our bodies shifts. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), this transition is more than seasonal, it’s elemental.
Late Summer is ruled by the Earth element, while Autumn is governed by Metal. The Earth grounds and nourishes. Metal cuts, clears, and refines. One gathers, the other lets go.
When we move too quickly from one to the other, without care, it can feel jarring. But when we support the Spleen (Earth) and begin to awaken the Lungs (Metal), the shift becomes smoother. Less of a jolt, more of an exhale.
What are we transitioning, exactly?
From warmth to coolness
From fullness to release
From outward energy to inward reflection
From Spleen (digestion, holding) to Lung (breath, boundary, grief)
We’re not just shifting seasons, we’re adjusting our physiology, mood, energy, and routines. And the body notices.
Common symptoms when transitions feel “off”:
Feeling ungrounded or scattered
Digestive changes (loose stools, bloating, sugar cravings)
Sadness, grief, or irritability without clear cause
Sinus congestion or dry throat
Difficulty falling into rhythm after summer’s chaos
If that feels familiar, your Earth and Metal systems might be struggling to “pass the baton.”
Practical Self-Care for Late Summer Mental Fog
Gentle Practices to Support the Shift:
Reinforce rhythm. Regular mealtimes, consistent bedtimes, and simple routines help the Spleen and Lungs find stability.
Begin breathing practices. Lung season is coming. Now is the time to reconnect with breath. A few deep breaths before meals or bedtime is a start.
Warm your foods. Raw salads and smoothies might be less welcome now. Choose soups, stews, roasted root vegetables, and congee.
Sip warm teas. Ginger, cinnamon, and dried citrus peel (chen pi) can gently warm digestion and uplift the spirit.
Write or journal. Metal season invites clarity and letting go. A few lines each morning or night can help process what’s shifting.
Gentle Support from Chinese Medicine
Sometimes the body and mind need a little extra help digesting life.
Acupuncture can support the Spleen and Lungs, regulate digestion, and ease seasonal anxiety or grief. Many points used to support digestion also benefit menstrual and pelvic health.
Chinese herbal medicine (tailored to your unique pattern) can assist with foggy thinking, digestive upset, or emotional heaviness.
If you’re feeling a bit out of sync—physically or emotionally—it may be a sign that your body is adjusting to the season and asking for support.
Explore more about Chinese medicine care HERE
Other posts in this series:
Transitioning Gracefully into Autumn (you’re here)
Looking ahead to what follows late summer? Our Autumn Health series is coming soon!