The Unexpected Reason You’re Feeling Off This Season

Even though we’re in the early days of summer, I’ve found myself stepping outside to be hit not with a burst of energy, but with a strange kind of heaviness. It’s the season of longer light, dinners al fresco, and a calendar that suddenly fills up without warning. And yet, instead of feeling revived, I’ve been moving through it all with a low hum of fatigue that I can’t quite shake.

Turns out, I’m not alone. Despite the seasonal promise of renewal, many of us experience a surprising dip in energy as spring turns to summer. We expect the sunshine to fuel us—but instead, we can easily find ourselves dragging, irritable, and overwhelmed by the sudden shift.

Featured image from our interview with Remi Ishizuka by Michelle Nash.

How to Beat Summer Fatigue: Holistic Tips for Restoring Energy

Wellness experts say the reasons for this seasonal exhaustion go deeper than just needing a nap or a getaway. Our bodies are navigating a complex transition—from shifts in circadian rhythms and social burnout to the effects of allergens and environmental stressors. And while the change in season might seem subtle, the internal recalibration it requires can leave us feeling totally depleted.

The good news? With a few gentle shifts in routine, we can support our energy, feel more grounded, and actually enjoy the months ahead.

What’s behind summer fatigue?

The causes of seasonal fatigue are multifaceted. Your body’s circadian rhythm, which regulates sleep and energy, responds to changes in daylight and temperature. These shifts can leave you feeling off-balance or more tired than usual. On top of that, as the weather warms up, we often shift our schedules to fit a more social and active lifestyle, which, while enjoyable, can leave little room for rest.

Why Summer Leaves Us Feeling Drained

To understand why the shift into summer can leave us feeling depleted, I spoke with Brooke Taylor, founder of The Road, a holistic beauty and wellness sanctuary in Austin. With a background as an esthetician, global skincare educator, and a master’s in Chinese medicine, Brooke blends ancient wisdom with modern healing modalities to help people reconnect with their vitality.

Summer fatigue, Brooke explains, often stems from being overextended—mentally and physically—as we try to keep pace with everything the season demands. In Chinese medicine, each season corresponds with a specific organ system. Summer is associated with the heart and small intestine, which govern joy, connection, and clear discernment, she shares. When these systems are out of balance, it can feel like everything is too much—emotionally, socially, even digestively.

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), we’re currently moving from spring’s wood element—associated with growth and upward energy—into summer’s fire element, which is all about intensity, heat, and outward expression. Summer represents the height of yang energy, Brooke tells me. “During this time, energy rises to the surface […] We become more physically active, but this can also mean we are more vulnerable to burnout if we don’t mindfully nourish, replenish, and pace ourselves.”

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), we’re currently moving from spring’s wood element—associated with growth and upward energy—into summer’s fire element, which is all about intensity, heat, and outward expression.

Symptoms of Imbalance: What to Look For

This internal imbalance can show up in different ways depending on your constitution. “Depending on your environment and lifestyle, you can also end up contending with dampness, which can make you feel weighed down, puffy, and mentally sluggish [by preventing yang from rising],” Brooke explains.

Feeling scattered or restless can signal a lack of grounding, while anxiety or insomnia often point to heart fire out of balance. The common thread? A body and mind working overtime to keep up with the seasonal pace—without the proper support.

How Acupuncture Helps You Recalibrate

To restore balance, Brooke recommends acupuncture as a deeply supportive tool. “Acupuncture stimulates the body’s natural healing mechanisms, guiding the flow of qi to restore balance and resilience,” she says. “By supporting the body’s ability to regulate itself, acupuncture helps ease the transitions between seasons and maintain harmony within.”

Combined with daily rituals like grounding foods, intentional rest, and time outdoors, acupuncture can help you align with summer’s vibrant energy—without being depleted by it.

Herbs & Holistic Remedies for Boosting Energy

For those navigating seasonal transitions and looking for natural ways to replenish their energy, herbalist and founder of Anima Mundi, Adriana Ayales, suggests looking to nature—and the rhythm of the seasons themselves—for guidance. According to Adriana, the liminal spaces between seasons are often where imbalance is most likely to arise. As the body, mind, and environment shift, it’s common to experience discomfort or fatigue.

Why You Might Be Feeling More Drained Than Usual

Seasonal fatigue isn’t just about how you’re feeling internally—it’s also driven by environmental factors. In traditional herbal systems, spring is associated with the element of wind, which can agitate the nervous system and heighten feelings of restlessness or exhaustion. As daylight stretches longer into the evening, our circadian rhythms start to recalibrate, which can temporarily disrupt sleep and lower energy levels.

This time of year also initiates what Adriana refers to as a kind of “biological detox,” where the body naturally starts to eliminate waste and reset after winter. Herbal traditions often support the body’s natural detoxification process with bitter greens like dandelion, nettle, and cleavers that grow wild in early spring. These botanicals help cleanse the liver and support elimination—but that clearing process can sometimes leave us feeling sluggish, foggy, or fatigued before energy rebounds.

Add in the increased activity that spring and summer often bring—gardening, social events, travel—and it’s no surprise our bodies are under strain. Like Brooke, Adriana notes that many people also feel an internal pressure to be productive and energized, even if their systems haven’t fully adjusted yet.

Herbs to Support Seasonal Energy

To support the body through this seasonal transition, Adriana recommends herbs that enhance both detoxification and cardiovascular strength. In early spring, she often turns to mineral-rich greens and liver tonics. As the weather heats up, the focus shifts to heart and circulation support, especially cooling herbs that help balance excess heat and inflammation.

Some of her go-to herbs for spring and summer include:

• Dandelion and Cleavers: great for gentle detox and liver support
• Nettle: rich in minerals and deeply energizing
• Lemon Balm and Mint: aromatic herbs that soothe the nervous system
• Rose, Hibiscus, and Elderberry: nourish cardiovascular health and cool the body
• Coriander, Fennel, and Dill: aromatic spices that support digestion and reduce internal heat

Daily Practices to Feel More Grounded and Energized

While these herbs work from the inside out, Adriana also emphasizes the importance of external rituals that help regulate our nervous system and reconnect us with the rhythms of the earth. “I strongly encourage spending as much time outdoors as possible—forest bathing, in particular, offers profound physical and emotional benefits,” she says. “These experiences are not just pleasant; they are essential to our biological regulation and spiritual well-being.”

She recommends finding even small ways to break up digital routines and reconnect with the natural world—whether it’s walking barefoot on grass, watching the sunset, foraging, or taking a spontaneous day trip. These rituals can offer grounding and recalibration during seasons of change.

Where to Begin

For those just starting to explore herbal support, Adriana suggests beginning with what’s local. Working with your environment is one of the most important things we can do for our nervous and digestive systems, she says. “Tune into your spring greens and cardio tonics that might be growing within your vicinity.”

She also recommends medicinal mushrooms as safe, effective allies. “Reishi is great for ease and hormonal regulation, and Lion’s Mane is excellent for brain-boosting. Both are gentle and safe for adults and kids.”