Why You Feel More Tired After Staying in Air Conditioning This Summer
As global temperatures continue to rise, many people are experiencing an unexpected set of symptoms this summer: fatigue, poor sleep, irritability, headaches, brain fog, and a persistent feeling of heat, despite spending most of their day in air-conditioned spaces.
During a recent livestream, Master Bai Yin explained why these symptoms are becoming increasingly common, and how practising the Three Nests Technique (Sanwo Gong) during the Sanfu (Three Fu Days) period may help support the body’s natural ability to regulate heat and circulation.
This article summarises the key teachings from that session.
Why This Summer Feels Different
Scientists have been tracking an exceptionally strong El Niño pattern, which is associated with higher average temperatures and longer periods of extreme heat in many parts of the world. According to Master Bai Yin, these conditions place increased physical stress on the body, contributing to poorer sleep, greater cardiovascular strain, and a more taxed nervous system.
While we cannot control the climate, we can improve how our bodies adapt to it.
“Cold Wrapped in Heat”: A TCM Explanation for Your Symptoms
One of the central themes of the livestream was a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) concept known as Cold Wrapped in Heat (寒包火).
Here is how it works in practice:
- Hot weather causes the body to generate more internal heat.
- We seek relief by stepping into air-conditioned environments.
- Cold air causes the skin pores to contract rapidly.
- Internal heat becomes trapped inside the body, with nowhere to disperse.
The result is a body that feels cool on the surface but continues to accumulate heat internally. This is the condition TCM describes as Cold Wrapped in Heat.
Symptoms that may indicate this imbalance include:
| Upper Body | Lower Body |
|---|---|
| Headaches and brain fog | Cold feet |
| Irritability and heatiness | Heavy or weak legs |
| Poor sleep and racing thoughts | Stiff joints |
| Shoulder and neck tension | Digestive discomfort |
Air Conditioning Is Not the Problem
Master Bai Yin was clear on this point: he is not recommending that people avoid air conditioning. Using it when necessary is entirely reasonable. The same applies to cold beverages, consumed in moderation, and staying well hydrated.
The issue is that external cooling alone cannot regulate the body’s internal heat. What the body also needs is healthy circulation to disperse trapped heat naturally.
Your Body Has Its Own Cooling System
Rather than relying solely on external cooling, the body has an internal temperature-regulating capacity. In Bai Yin Qigong, this is understood through the concept of Water-Fire Balance (水火既济).
When circulation flows smoothly:
- Heat is distributed and dispersed more efficiently.
- Internal organs experience less stress.
- The nervous system remains more settled.
When circulation stagnates:
- Heat accumulates internally.
- Inflammation increases.
- Fatigue and discomfort become more pronounced.
The goal of summer Qigong practice is to support this internal balance, not simply to cool the skin.
Why Sanfu Matters
Sanfu, or the Three Fu Days, is traditionally regarded as the hottest period of the year in the East Asian calendar. During this time:
- Yang energy is at its peak.
- Skin pores open more readily.
- The body is more responsive to Qigong practice.
This is why Sanfu is traditionally considered the optimal season for expelling cold, removing dampness, strengthening Yang Qi, and supporting circulation. It is the basis of the classical saying: “Treat winter illnesses during summer.”
What Is the Three Nests Technique?
The Three Nests Technique (Sanwo Gong) focuses on opening three key areas of the body:
- Armpits
- Elbow creases
- Groin
These areas are described in the Bai Yin Qigong tradition as important pathways for circulation and lymphatic flow. According to Master Bai Yin, working with these areas during practice may help support fluid metabolism, blood and energy circulation, and the body’s natural heat-regulating processes.
When to Practise
Master Bai Yin recommended practising the Three Nests Technique every day throughout the Sanfu season. Either order is acceptable: it may be done before or after other practices such as the Lotus Heart Nourishing Technique or Advanced Course methods. The key is consistency.
A Note on Sweating
More is not always better. The practice aims for gentle perspiration and comfortable effort, not exhaustion. Too little sweating may suggest poor circulation, but excessive sweating is not the goal either. Healthy, moderate perspiration is the sign of balanced practice.
Daily Summer Practice Summary
During the Sanfu period, Master Bai Yin recommends the following daily routine:
| Practice | Notes |
|---|---|
| Three Nests Technique | Daily, throughout the Sanfu season |
| Lotus Heart Nourishing Technique | Continue if already learned |
| EnerQi Advanced and Turtle Longevity Technique | Continue if Advanced Course is completed |
| Air conditioning | Use appropriately, as needed |
| Cold beverages | In moderation |
| Hydration | Maintain consistently throughout the day |
Frequently Asked Questions
A: Yes. Master Bai Yin specifically stated that air conditioning is acceptable. The focus is on improving the body’s internal circulation, not on avoiding external cooling.
A: Yes. During the Sanfu season, daily practice is recommended.
A: Yes. The guided version is suitable as a daily practice for those new to Qigong.
The Bigger Picture
This summer, the goal is not simply to cool the body from the outside. It is to support the body’s own capacity to regulate internal heat, improve circulation, maintain Water-Fire Balance, and reduce stagnation. In doing so, you are not only managing the current season: you are also preparing your body for the autumn and winter months ahead.
The Three Nests Technique offers a simple, accessible starting point for that process.
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