In winter, for the elderly, due to the decline in the physiological functions of various organs, slow metabolism, poor temperature regulation ability, and decreased cold resistance, if they neglect self-care and health maintenance, they are prone to various diseases that can affect physical and mental health. Therefore, in order for the elderly to safely pass through the severe winter, they need to focus on "eight warm" measures.
Keep the head warm - Comb the hair more than a hundred times
The head is the master of the body, where all the yang energy gathers and all the meridians are connected. If the head is exposed to cold wind, it is easy for the yang energy to dissipate from the head, leading to diseases such as cold, rhinitis, headaches, toothaches, trigeminal neuralgia, etc. For middle-aged and elderly people with hypertension and cerebral arteriosclerosis, it can also easily lead to hypertensive crisis, acute myocardial infarction, stroke, and even endanger life.
Therefore, it is necessary to pay attention to keeping the head warm in winter. Comb the hair more than a hundred times every morning to make the scalp slightly warm, which is beneficial to the smooth flow of the meridians in the head, promote the upward movement of yang energy, regulate the meridians, and prevent the decline of qi and blood. When going out in snowy weather, wearing a hat can protect the head from the cold wind.
Keep the ears warm - Massage the auricles in the morning and evening
"The ears are the gathering place of the ancestral meridians", and all the twelve meridians pass through the ears. Because the skin of the ears is thin, the blood vessels in the auricles are superficial, and there is less subcutaneous tissue and lack of protection from subcutaneous fat. If the ears are not properly protected and exposed to cold stimulation, the blood vessels will easily contract, leading to ischemia and hypoxia in the ears, causing frostbite and even causing colds and other diseases.
Therefore, the elderly should pay attention to protecting their ears in winter. Wear soft ear protectors when going out, and insist on massaging and rubbing the auricles in the morning, noon, and evening, for about 5-10 minutes each time, until there is a warm feeling.
Keep the nose warm - Massage the sides of the nose
The nose is the orifice of the lungs. If the nose is exposed to cold and chilly weather, the elderly with weak constitution are prone to catch colds. Therefore, it is important to protect the nose in winter. When encountering cold weather, wear a mask when going out.
In the morning and before bedtime, massage the nose. Rub the outer sides of the nose with the thumbs of both hands until there is a warm feeling, then massage the sides of the nose and the Yingxiang acupoints (0.5 cm beside the outer edge of the nostrils) up and down about 30 times. This can dredge the meridians, enhance local blood circulation, greatly improve the cold resistance of the nose, and effectively prevent colds and nasal diseases.
Keep the neck warm - Wear a scarf when going out
The neck is the "fortress" of the body, connecting the head and the trunk. It is not only the most active part of the spine but also the most important part of the nervous system and the necessary passage for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular blood flow. If the neck is exposed to cold, it can not only aggravate cervical spondylosis but also cause other diseases.
Therefore, it is best to wear a high collar and a scarf when going out in winter. This can prevent the blood vessels in the neck from contracting due to the invasion of cold wind, and it has certain benefits for preventing hypertension and cardiovascular diseases.
Keep the back warm - Protect the Governing Vessel
The Governing Vessel is the main channel running along the back, governing the body's yang energy. If the back is not properly kept warm, it is prone to invasion by cold wind, which can consume the body's yang energy, lead to a decline in immune function, and cause colds. Middle-aged and elderly people with chronic bronchitis and asthma are more prone to recurrence or worsening of their conditions.
Therefore, it is best to wear a cotton or wool vest to keep the back warm in winter. On sunny days, go outside and let the sun shine on the back. The warm heat not only feels comfortable but also prevents winter depression in the elderly.
Keep the waist warm - Rub the waist to warm the kidney yang
The waist is the residence of the kidneys, and the "Belt Channel" surrounds the waist. If the waist is exposed to cold, it can easily cause cold and pain in the waist, as well as gynecological diseases such as menstrual disorders, dysmenorrhea, and abnormal vaginal discharge in women.
In addition to protecting the waist, you can rub the waist with both hands. After rubbing until there is a warm feeling, press firmly on the Yaoyan acupoint, pause for a moment, and then rub down to the coccyx (Changqiang acupoint). Do this 50-100 times each time, once in the morning and once in the evening. This can warm and nourish the kidney yang, promote smooth circulation of qi and blood, regulate the Belt Channel, and strengthen the lumbar spine.
Keep the knees warm - Do not overexert during exercise
In the severe cold weather, with continuous cold and huge temperature differences, chilling the knees can cause local muscle and blood vessel contraction, leading to joint pain. Middle-aged and elderly people with synovitis or osteoarthritis are more prone to flare-ups or worsening of joint diseases.
The key to protecting the knee joints is to keep them warm and prevent them from getting cold. Wear knee pads and avoid overexertion during exercise.
Keep the feet warm - Soak the feet and massage the Yongquan acupoints
The feet, which support the body's "mansion of life," are called the "second heart." However, the subcutaneous fat layer of the feet is thin, and their insulation performance is poor. Moreover, the feet are far away from the heart, which can easily lead to poor blood circulation. Once the feet are exposed to cold, it can cause blood vessel constriction in the upper respiratory mucosa through nerve reflex, reduce blood flow, weaken the body's resistance, and easily cause recurrence of chronic bronchitis, asthma, rheumatic joint pain, and other diseases.
Therefore, it is important to pay attention to keeping the feet warm and prevent "cold starting from the feet." Wear warm and breathable socks and shoes with good moisture absorption. The soles of the shoes should be non-slip. When the feet are warm, the whole body feels warm and comfortable. Every night before bedtime, soak the feet in water at around 42°C for 20 minutes. Then massage the Yongquan acupoints on the soles of the feet. This can nourish yin and tonify the kidneys, regulate the organs, promote meridian circulation, and enhance metabolism.
