According to traditional Chinese medicine, the common cold is a common external disease caused by the invasion of wind evil. It can occur in any season, but it is most common in autumn and winter. After the hot summer, when the golden autumn arrives, many people still continue the habit of not covering themselves with a blanket while sleeping. They may catch a cold easily due to exposure to cold air at night and in the morning. Here are some tips for preventing colds in autumn.
Tip 1: Exercise Regularly
During autumn, it is important to improve your body's resistance and adaptability to cold weather. By being able to withstand extreme changes in climate, you can prevent colds. However, high-intensity exercise should be avoided during this season. Instead, opt for gentle activities like jogging or hiking. Excessive exercise can lead to excessive sweating and damage the body's yang energy.
Tip 2: Stay Hydrated
Autumn tends to be dry, so drinking plenty of water can promote metabolism, strengthen the body, and facilitate the elimination of toxins and waste. It also helps with diuresis and heat dissipation, which is beneficial for preventing colds. The recommended daily water intake in autumn is 2000 milliliters.
Tip 3: Consume Sour Foods
Vinegar has the effect of increasing antibodies in the blood, enhancing immune function, and improving immunity. People who work in vinegar factories rarely suffer from colds. During autumn, it is recommended to consume sour foods such as hawthorn, grapes, and vinegar. "Increasing acidity" in autumn can enhance liver function, resist the invasion of lung qi, and prevent colds and coughs.
Tip 4: Avoid Contact with Cold Patients
When there are people with colds around you, it is important to avoid close contact. After coming into contact with a cold patient, you can drink a cup of water infused with 30 grams of brown sugar or white sugar and 3 grams of fresh ginger powder before bedtime. Alternatively, you can drink green tea to prevent cold transmission.
Tip 5: Wash Your Face with Cold Water
Starting from summer, it is recommended to wash your face with cold water every day until the cold winter arrives. This practice can enhance your ability to withstand cold and improve the resistance of your facial skin to cold stimuli.
Tip 6: Facial Massage
Regular facial massages can also help prevent colds in autumn. For example, the circular massage method involves rubbing both palms together to generate heat, then using one palm to press the forehead, while the other palm is stacked on top of it. Massaging in a circular motion, start from the forehead, move down the left side of the face, up from the jaw to the right side of the face, and then back to the forehead. Repeat this circular massage 30 times in one direction, and then 30 times in the opposite direction. This should be done for one minute, and it can make the face flush and warm. This method can promote blood circulation in the face, dispel wind, and prevent colds. It is recommended to do this once in the morning or once in the morning and evening, persistently.
Tip 7: Pay Attention to Keeping Warm
As the weather gradually becomes cooler in autumn, it is important to strike a balance between "autumn chill" and avoiding excessive sweating due to wearing too many clothes, which can lead to the loss of yang energy. When the temperature drops suddenly, it is necessary to add more clothing. It is also important to keep warm when sleeping at night and avoid being exposed to cold air, which can trigger colds.
Tip 8: Self-care
After waking up in the morning, rub your palms together about 30 times and massage the Yingxiang acupoint (located in the groove between the nose and upper lip, in the middle of the outer edge of the nostril) 10 times. Wash your face with cold water. In the evening, wash your feet with hot water. Rinse your mouth with diluted saltwater twice daily to kill oral bacteria. Take walks outdoors, practice tai chi, and engage in morning exercises as appropriate.
