After entering winter, the temperature drops sharply, and people start to find ways to keep warm, especially for middle-aged and elderly people, it is a critical time for keeping warm. However, the more critical the time, the easier it is for people to fall into the misconception of keeping warm. Below, we will list several major misconceptions about keeping warm in winter.
【Misconceptions about keeping warm in winter】
Misconception 1: Drinking alcohol to keep warm
Drinking alcohol to increase heat and expel cold air is actually a misconception. The reason why people feel warm after drinking alcohol is because the ethanol in the alcohol enters the blood, stimulates the dilation of the capillaries, accelerates blood circulation, and increases heat dissipation to the body surface. Feeling warm is just a superficial phenomenon.
Misconception 2: Washing face with hot water
In winter, the sweat glands and capillaries on the face are in a contracted state due to the stimulation of cold air. When exposed to hot water, they quickly expand, but after the heat dissipates, they return to the low temperature state. The expansion and contraction of capillaries like this can easily cause wrinkles on the face.
Misconception 3: Prolonged use of electric blankets
Using an electric blanket for the whole night can easily cause dryness in the nose, increased fragility of the nasal mucosa, and nosebleeds. When using an electric blanket to sleep, it is best for the elderly to not use it for the whole night. They can turn it on for a period of time, then turn it off after getting into bed, and the temperature should not be too high.
Misconception 4: Sleeping in thick pajamas
Sleeping in thick clothes and socks in winter is not conducive to health. Wearing thick clothes to sleep can hinder the normal "breathing" and evaporation of sweat on the skin. The compression and friction of clothes on the muscles can also affect blood circulation, resulting in a decrease in surface heat, and even if a thick blanket is covered, one will still feel cold.
【Methods for keeping warm in winter】
Method 1: Soaking ginger in water
We all know that ginger has the effect of expelling cold. After eating a meal in winter, soak your feet in hot water with some ginger pieces for half an hour. This not only keeps you warm but also helps prevent colds. In addition, you can also drink water soaked in ginger regularly.
Method 2: Winter diet
When it comes to diet, we usually choose to supplement in winter. We eat some warm-tonic foods, such as dog meat, beef, and venison, which are foods with good warming effects. They can be boiled into soup in winter or cooked with ginger and chili.
Method 3: Massage to expel cold
Traditional Chinese massage is extensive and profound. It can expel cold by massaging acupoints. If the body has a heavy cold, you can try going to a specialized massage parlor.
Method 4: Adequate sleep
Winter nights are longer, and days are shorter. We can go to bed early at night and get up a little later in the morning, especially for middle-aged and elderly people. This can avoid the risk of heart disease and stroke caused by cold and temperature differences. Try to avoid staying up late. The temperature is low at night in winter, staying up late can lower the body's resistance, and make it susceptible to fever, cold, and flu.
【Recommended soups for keeping warm in winter】
Soup 1: Pepper Pig Stomach and Chinese Yam Soup
You will need a pig stomach, 50 grams of pepper, and 200 grams of Chinese yam. Clean the pig stomach, crush the pepper, peel and cut the Chinese yam into pieces. Stuff the pepper into the pig stomach, tie up both ends, and boil in a pot for 1.5 hours. After the soup is cooked, add the Chinese yam and continue boiling for 30 minutes, then season.
Pepper has the effect of warming the middle and dispersing cold, and pig stomach can invigorate the spleen, nourish the stomach, and relieve cough caused by cold. It is especially suitable for treating spleen and stomach deficiency cold and cold hands and feet caused by a cold.
Soup 2: Prince Ginseng, Lily, and Lean Pork Soup
You will need 50 grams of Prince Ginseng, lily, 150 grams of lean pork, and 1/2 Luo Han Guo. Wash the lean pork and cut it into pieces. Wash all the Chinese medicinal herbs, put them in a pot, bring to a boil, then add the lean pork and simmer for an hour. Finally, add salt and cooking wine.
Lily can clear the lungs and moisturize dryness, and Prince Ginseng has the effect of replenishing and invigorating qi. This treatment method can relieve dry cough and sore throat caused by a cold.
Soup 3: Radish, Corn, and Chinese Yam Soup
Wash the carrots and corn and cut them into small sections. Peel the Chinese yam and cut it into sections. Cook them together in a pot for 30 minutes. Add shredded bell peppers 5 minutes before serving.
Carrots and corn contain a large amount of carotene, and the mucoprotein in Chinese yam can effectively protect the respiratory organs.
