Bonn Square Therapy Room

A few more Chinese medicine-inspired tips for getting through a heat wave

In Chinese medicine, summer is associated with heat, expansion and the Heart. It’s a season that can feel bright, social and full of energy, but during a heat wave that intensity can tip into restlessness, irritability, poor sleep, headaches, heaviness or feeling completely depleted.

The aim is not to make the body cold, but to help it stay cool, calm and well-resourced.

Calm the Heart and Mind
Summer heat can stir the mind, making it harder to switch off at the end of the day. Try keeping evenings simple: dim the lights, reduce screen time, eat a little earlier and give yourself time to properly wind down before bed.

Eat Lightly
Hot weather can make digestion feel sluggish, especially with heavy, greasy or very spicy foods. Choose lighter meals, simple cooking and plenty of seasonal vegetables. Think fresh, hydrating foods that leave you feeling clear rather than weighed down.

Choose Shade and Slow Rhythms
Summer has a strong outward, yang quality, but a heat wave asks us to pace ourselves. Avoid the strongest midday sun where possible, keep the head and neck protected, and let your day move a little more slowly.

Chinese medicine is always about balance: enjoying the warmth and brightness of summer, while protecting the body from becoming overheated, overextended or run down.

And of course, please follow common-sense heat advice too: drink plenty of fluids, stay out of extreme heat where possible, and seek medical help if you feel faint, confused, very unwell, or stop sweating in extreme heat.

You can find out more by heading to our website: https://www.bonnsquaretherapyroom.co.uk/ or book straight in online: https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule/298e19f1

Need some respite from the heatwave? Bonn Square Therapy Room is housed within the historic walls of the New Road Baptist Church, a building with a rich narrative that dates back to the 18th century.

Imagine receiving treatment in a place that has provided solace and sanctuary for centuries.

You can find out more by heading to our website: https://www.bonnsquaretherapyroom.co.uk/ or book straight in online: https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule/298e19f1

Kind words like this mean so much to us at BSTR.

Acupuncture is often part of a longer process of support, especially when someone has been feeling unwell for some time or living with persistent symptoms. Treatment is always individual, taking into account the wider picture: energy, sleep, digestion, stress, pain, mood and how someone feels day to day.

For many people, having regular time to pause, be listened to and receive treatment can become an important part of feeling more steady and supported.

You can find out more by heading to our website or book straight in with Greg online: https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule/298e19f1

It’s easy to wait until symptoms feel loud before we do something about them. The bad night’s sleep that becomes weeks of feeling exhausted. The tight shoulders that become a headache. The low-level stress that slowly starts affecting digestion, mood or energy.

But often, the body gives us quieter signs first.

Feeling a bit more tired than usual. Waking in the night. Feeling tense, irritable, foggy, unsettled or not quite yourself. These subtle changes can be useful information, not something to ignore or push through.

In Chinese medicine, we look at the whole picture: sleep, digestion, energy, temperature, mood, cycle, stress and lifestyle. Acupuncture aims to support the body before things feel overwhelming, helping you come back to a steadier sense of balance.

You don’t have to wait until your body is shouting to give it care.

You can find out more by heading to our website or book straight in online https://www.bonnsquaretherapyroom.co.uk/

Summer is a season of warmth, movement and connection. In Chinese medicine, it’s linked with the Fire element and the Heart, bringing energy, joy and a natural pull towards being more outward and social.

But too much heat, too much activity or not enough rest can leave us feeling depleted, restless or out of balance.

Small seasonal shifts can make a big difference: staying hydrated, eating lighter foods, protecting your sleep and giving yourself space to slow down when needed.

Acupuncture can support the body through seasonal changes, helping with energy, sleep, stress, digestion and overall balance.

You can find out more by heading to our website or book straight in online (https://www.bonnsquaretherapyroom.co.uk/)

The solstice is the longest day of the year: the point where yang reaches its fullest expression. Light, warmth, movement, growth and outward energy are all at their peak.

In Chinese medicine and philosophy, yang is not separate from yin. One gives rise to the other. So even at this brightest point of the year, the seed of yin is already present. From here, the days slowly begin to shorten again, reminding us that change is always happening, even when things feel still.

This can be a lovely moment to pause and notice your own balance. Where are you feeling energised and expansive? Where might you need more quiet, coolness or rest? Summer invites connection with others, with nature, and with what brings us joy, but it also asks us to stay rooted enough to enjoy it. 🧡

We’re so lucky in Oxford to have so much green space woven through the city.

Port Meadow, Christ Church Meadow, University Parks, the Botanic Garden, riverside paths and quiet college gardens all offer places to pause, breathe and reset.

Even a short walk, a few minutes on a bench, or taking the scenic route through town can help us feel more grounded and connected.

In Chinese medicine, time in nature is part of how we return to rhythm: noticing the season, the light, the weather and how our body responds.

What's your favourite green space in Oxford? 💚

After the warm weather we had in May, this sudden drop in temperature can feel like a bit of a shock to the system.

In Chinese medicine, changes in weather can affect our defences, especially when we move quickly from warmth to cold, wind or damp. It’s often at these seasonal turning points that people start to feel run down, stiff, tired or more vulnerable to colds.

So this is your gentle reminder to keep warm, especially around your neck, chest and lower back. Drink plenty of fluids, choose warm foods and drinks where you can, and give your body a little extra support while it adjusts.

Acupuncture can be a helpful way to support your immune system, ease tension, settle the nervous system and help you feel more balanced through seasonal changes.

You can find out more by heading to our website or book straight in online (https://www.bonnsquaretherapyroom.co.uk/)

Sandy created this space with the vision of bringing together a talented, committed group of practitioners in the heart of Oxford, providing a welcoming environment for all. In line with the ethos of New Road Baptist Church, the clinic invites anyone wishing to explore the benefits of acupuncture, Chinese Herbal Medicine, massage, and osteopathy.

Sandy believed that access to health shouldn’t be limited by cost, and that’s why we operate a sliding scale of fees and offer concessionary rates for students and the unwaged. If this applies to you, just ask us 🧡