Have you ever felt unwell during seasonal transitions? Spring drowsiness, autumn fatigue, summer dampness, and winter dryness are not accidental. Traditional Chinese medicine's wisdom over thousands of years tells us: the human body resonates with nature. By following the changes of the 24 solar terms and using gentle methods to regulate the body and mind, health can naturally flow like the seasons.
Spring: Soothe the Liver and Promote Growth
Spring belongs to Wood, corresponding to the liver. At this time, yang energy rises, but it is still cold and warm, making it easy for liver qi stagnation or catching a cold.
- Early Morning Walks: After sunrise in the morning, take a 15-minute slow walk outdoors while wearing a coat to help yang energy expand.
- Less Sour and More Sweet in Diet: Eat more leeks, bean sprouts, and spinach, and reduce pickled foods with vinegar to avoid suppressing liver qi.
- Massage the Tai Chong Acupoint: Press the depression in front of the junction of the first and second toes on the foot with your thumb for 3 minutes to relieve irritability.
Summer: Nourish the Heart and Remove Damp Heat
Summer belongs to Fire, corresponding to the heart. The hot and humid weather easily causes excessive heart fire, poor appetite, and physical exhaustion.
- Nap at Noon: From 11 am to 1 pm, when the heart meridian is dominant, sit quietly with eyes closed for 20 minutes to nourish heart qi.
- Drink Ginger and Jujube Tea: Boil 3 slices of ginger and 2 jujubes, drink in the morning to warm the body and remove dampness.
- Avoid Excessive Cold: Keep the air conditioner no lower than 26°C, and soak your feet in warm water before bed to prevent cold dampness from entering the body.
Autumn: Moisturize the Lungs and Prevent Autumn Dryness
Autumn belongs to Metal, corresponding to the lungs. Autumn dryness harms body fluids, easily causing dry cough, flaky skin, and constipation.
- Knock Your Teeth and Swallow Saliva in the Morning: Knock your teeth 36 times, then swallow the saliva after gargling, to moisten and relieve dryness.
- Eat More White Foods: Silver ear, lily, pear, and yam, cooked as porridge or stewed soup, to moisturize the lungs without being greasy.
- Go to Bed Early and Wake Up Early: Go to bed one hour earlier than summer, following the trend of收敛 (retraction), to alleviate autumn fatigue.
Winter: Strengthen the Kidneys and Store Essence
Winter belongs to Water, corresponding to the kidneys. It is cold and frozen, and yang energy is stored internally, so excessive consumption should be avoided.
- Massage the Yongquan Acupoint Before Sleep: Rub the depression in the front third of the sole of the foot with both hands for 100 times each, guiding fire back to its origin.
- Diet Should Be Warm and Nourishing: Cook lamb, walnuts, and black sesame seeds into soup, twice a week, but not in excess.
- Moderate Exercise: Choose gentle exercises such as tai chi or the Eight Pieces of Silk, stop when slightly sweaty, without disturbing yang energy.
Summary: Following the Seasons is Health
The 24 solar terms are not just symbols on a calendar, but the rhythm of the body communicating with nature. In spring, do not suppress growth; in summer, do not seek excessive coolness; in autumn, do not grieve during the time of retraction; in winter, do not overexert during the time of storage. With a small habit every day, follow nature, and gently maintain health, allowing it to remain stable and long-lasting like the seasons.