In summer, we should adjust our daily routine to adapt to the changes in nature, where yang energy is at its peak and yin energy is declining. It is advisable to go to bed late and wake up early, and take a nap during the day to make up for any lack of sleep at night. However, the elderly and weak individuals should go to bed early and wake up early, aiming for about 7 hours of sleep every day. In hot summer days, excessive sweating can lead to dizziness, chest tightness, palpitations, thirst, and even fainting. When arranging outdoor work and exercise, it is important to avoid the scorching sun and take proper protective measures. Taking a nap during the day can help relieve fatigue and avoid the heat.
Daily warm water baths are also recommended for maintaining good health. Not only can they wash away sweat and dirt, keeping the skin clean and cool to prevent heatstroke and diseases, but they can also exercise the body. Warm water showers can lower the excitability of the nervous system and cause the blood vessels on the surface of the body to dilate. This speeds up blood circulation, improves the nutrition of the skin and tissues, reduces muscle tension, eliminates fatigue, improves sleep, and enhances resistance. Additionally, in hot summer weather, the body's ability to disperse heat is weakened, making it more susceptible to cold and dampness. It is not advisable to have a fan blowing directly during sleep, and the temperature difference between indoor and outdoor spaces with air conditioning should not be too large. It is also not recommended to sleep outdoors at night.
It is best to engage in physical exercise during the cooler hours of early morning or evening in summer. Choose places with fresh air, such as near rivers, lakes, parks, and courtyards. If possible, people can also go to forests or seaside areas for rest and vacation. Recommended exercises include walking, jogging, Tai Chi, and radio calisthenics, while excessive and intense activities should be avoided. If excessive sweating occurs during exercise, it is advisable to drink light saltwater or mung bean saltwater soup, and avoid drinking large amounts of cold water or immediately using cold water to shower, as this can lead to various diseases related to cold and dampness, such as joint pain and excessive sweating.
In this season, we will talk about the ancient "seven harms and eight benefits" in sexual activities, so that readers can refer to them during their sexual life. "Tianxia Zhi Dao Tan" clearly describes the "seven harms": "Closing for one day, excessive ejaculation for two days, exhaustion for three days, restraint for four days, restlessness for five days, frustration for six days, and excessive ejaculation for seven days." The first harm refers to pain in the penis during sexual intercourse, with blockage of the ejaculatory duct and even the inability to ejaculate, which is called internal closure. The second harm refers to excessive sweating during sexual intercourse, which leads to the leakage of yang energy. The third harm is the result of uncontrolled sexual activities, excessive ejaculation, and the depletion of semen, known as "exhaustion" or "impotence." The fourth harm is the inability to achieve an erection during intercourse, hence the term "restraint." The fifth harm refers to rapid and shallow breathing, panting, mental distress, confusion, which is called restlessness. The sixth harm is when the female partner has no sexual desire or demands, and the male partner becomes impatient and unable to wait, and even behaves rudely, forcing sexual intercourse. Such sexual activities are naturally extremely uncoordinated and will cause great pain to the female partner, not only harming her physical and mental health but also affecting the quality of pregnancy, thus posing a risk to the next generation. Therefore, it is called "impasse" or "desperation." The seventh harm refers to rapid and excessive ejaculation during intercourse, leading to the dissipation of semen and energy, hence the term "excessive ejaculation."
The "eight benefits" refer to eight measures that benefit the body by incorporating qigong practice into sexual activities. "Tianxia Zhi Dao Tan" states: "Firstly, regulate qi; secondly, nourish saliva; thirdly, know the timing; fourthly, store qi; fifthly, harmonize saliva; sixthly, accumulate qi; seventhly, maintain fullness; eighthly, control the duration." The first benefit refers to practicing qigong and guiding the flow of qi before sexual intercourse, promoting smooth circulation of qi and blood throughout the body, hence the term "regulate qi." The second benefit suggests keeping saliva under the tongue and occasionally swallowing it, which can nourish the body. It also refers to the production of vaginal secretions, which are essential for sexual intercourse, and is called "nourish saliva." The third benefit emphasizes the importance of knowing the right timing for sexual intercourse, which is called "knowing the timing."
The fourth benefit is about storing and conserving essence and energy, refraining from ejaculating excessively. The fifth benefit suggests swallowing saliva and not swallowing semen, ensuring a harmonious coordination between both partners during intercourse. The sixth benefit emphasizes stopping sexual intercourse at an appropriate time to avoid excessive depletion of energy and to accumulate essence and energy. The seventh benefit suggests leaving room for maneuver during intercourse, maintaining fullness of essence and energy, and avoiding damage to the primordial energy, hence the term "maintain fullness." The eighth benefit advises the male partner not to prolong sexual pleasure excessively, thus preventing exhaustion. As it can be seen, the "seven harms and eight benefits" are extremely beneficial for maintaining a healthy sexual life, reducing hidden risks in sexual intercourse, and even promoting the quality of future generations.
