How to Maintain Good Health in Spring
Introduction to Spring:
From the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine, the spring equinox is considered an important time to balance the yin and yang in the body and regulate bodily functions. However, during the spring equinox, the blood and hormone activity in the body reaches its peak, and the unpredictable weather can disrupt the balance and lead to a series of illnesses. Therefore, experts suggest that a scientifically balanced diet can help regulate the body and balance the yin and yang during the spring equinox.
After the Rain Water solar term, as the temperature gradually warms up, the season of spring with its vibrant flowers is about to begin. Outdoor activities will increase, inviting friends for outings, enjoying the spring scenery, and engaging in various joyful activities.
However, spring is also the high season for viral infections such as avian influenza, influenza, measles, and hand, foot, and mouth disease. In addition to staying away from sources of infection and practicing personal hygiene, traditional Chinese medicine emphasizes the importance of liver health, boosting yang energy, exercising, and adjusting diet for preventing diseases and enhancing physical fitness.
Today, traditional Chinese medicine tells you how to maintain good health in spring!
1. Nourish the Liver and Protect the Spleen, Regulate Qi and Blood Circulation
Spring belongs to the wood element, and the liver energy is strong during this season. Spring is the time when the body's liver yang is at its strongest, which can lead to anxiety and poor sleep quality. Therefore, it is important to focus on nourishing the liver and heart during spring, maintaining a positive and optimistic attitude, which can help regulate liver energy, promote smooth circulation of qi and blood, and improve overall physical and mental health.
During spring, the liver is active, and the spleen can easily be weakened, leading to gastrointestinal problems. Increasing the intake of sweet foods can strengthen the spleen and enhance the body's immune system. Spring is the high season for viral infections such as avian influenza, influenza, chickenpox, measles, and hand, foot, and mouth disease. Nourishing the liver can effectively regulate the body, enhance the immune system, and prevent diseases.
In traditional Chinese medicine, nourishing the liver does not mean only taking care of the liver itself but achieving an overall balancing effect on the body.
Although the temperature is rising, it is important to remember to keep warm. As the pores of the body begin to open up, the ability to resist cold is weakened. It is advisable to wear thicker clothing on the lower body and lighter clothing on the upper body. In spring, the body is susceptible to wind invasion, which can cause pain in the head, shoulders, back, and elbows. It is important to keep these areas warm.
In spring, as yang energy emerges, it is advisable to consume foods that have a dispersing effect and a slightly pungent and sweet taste. It is not recommended to consume sour and contracting foods. Choose foods that nourish and regulate the liver and promote the smooth flow of qi.
For example, it is beneficial to consume more scallions, ginger, leeks, and onions, as they help promote the emergence of yang energy in the body during spring. It is advisable to consume less lamb and spicy foods.
As for sleep, the qi and blood in the body need to circulate smoothly during spring. It is recommended to go to bed slightly later than in winter but wake up earlier in the morning. Stretching the body and engaging in outdoor activities will help awaken the body from its winter dormancy and promote vitality and liveliness.
2. Stretch Your Body and Comb Your Hair
Stretching the body is a self-care practice, especially for liver health.
When the body feels tired, the circulation of qi and blood slows down. Stretching the limbs, extending the waist, and contracting the abdomen while exerting force and taking deep breaths can help eliminate old energy, invigorate qi and blood circulation, promote the smooth flow of meridians, and invigorate the spirit.
After stretching the body, blood circulation speeds up, and all parts of the body are activated. Sleepiness disappears, and this stimulates the liver function, providing a "workout" for the liver and promoting overall health. When stretching, try to keep the body as relaxed as possible, extend the limbs, and exert force in all muscles. Inhale deeply during stretching and exhale fully when relaxing for better results. Regularly performing this exercise can increase muscle and ligament elasticity and delay the aging process, especially for the elderly.
During this season, wind pathogens rarely exist alone. They combine with cold to form "wind-cold," with heat to form "wind-heat," and with dampness to form "wind-dampness," such as common wind-cold invasions and wind-dampness causing joint pain. In the frequent invasion of wind pathogens during spring, combing the hair can help keep wind pathogens at bay.
There are three acupoints at the back of the head: two Fengchi acupoints and one Fengfu acupoint. Traditional Chinese medicine says, "Find the Fengchi and Fengfu points, and all diseases of the cold can be expelled." Regularly combing the hair can stimulate these acupoints, promote the smooth circulation of qi and blood, and prevent wind pathogens from affecting the body.
3. Exercise Regularly
"Exercise is crucial for good physical fitness! To enhance physical fitness, it is important to start with daily exercise. Although it is already spring, there is still a significant temperature difference between morning and evening. When exercising in the morning, it is important to add layers of clothing to keep warm. As the saying goes, 'Cover up in spring and expose in autumn,' which makes sense."
When it comes to exercise, it is important to choose the appropriate exercise based on age, occupation, and living environment. "Brisk walking" is a suitable exercise for the general public because one leg is always in contact with the ground during brisk walking, resulting in less pressure on the knee joints. People with a higher body weight or poor knee joints can benefit from "brisk walking" as a form of exercise. It is important to start gradually and not overexert oneself."
Furthermore, it is important to be consistent with exercise. As long as exercise is consistent, it will have a positive impact. When we become physically active, we become healthier compared to those who spend most of their time sitting. Creating opportunities to be more active will help prevent obesity, chronic diseases, and cardiovascular diseases.
