The Autumnal Equinox Health Preservation Method of the Twenty-Four Solar Terms
2018-12-17
At 9:30:34 p.m. on August 7, the Beginning of Autumn arrives.
The beginning of Liqiu marks the start of the cool season. However, during the height of the Sanfu period, the weather remains extremely hot, so it’s still essential to take precautions against the heat and stay cool. However, the Beginning of Autumn invariably marks the onset of autumn. After the Beginning of Autumn, yang energy in nature gradually begins to decline while yin energy gradually increases, signaling a transitional period during which the body’s yin-yang metabolism shifts from yang declining to yin rising. Therefore, in autumn health preservation, all aspects—diet and daily routines, mental and emotional state, as well as physical exercise—should adhere to the principle of nourishing and conserving.
1. Lifestyle and Health Maintenance
In autumn, one should “go to bed early and rise early, just as the rooster does.” Going to bed early helps align with the yang energy’s tendency to contract, while rising early allows the lung qi to expand freely and prevents excessive contraction.
The beginning of autumn marks the start of early fall, when the summer heat has not yet fully subsided. Although cool breezes occasionally begin to blow, the weather remains highly unpredictable. Even within the same region, you may experience “four seasons in a single day, and vastly different weather conditions within just ten miles.” Therefore, it’s best not to wear too many layers of clothing; otherwise, your body’s ability to adapt to the cooling climate may be impaired, making you more susceptible to catching a cold from exposure to cold air.
“Spring drowsiness, autumn fatigue, and summer dozing”—after the start of autumn, it’s not just drowsiness that sets in; people also feel utterly exhausted and lacking energy. Everyone should take steps to prevent autumn fatigue by getting sufficient sleep and engaging in moderate physical exercise—remembering to increase intensity gradually as you work out.
2. Mental Cultivation
In autumn, people experience both the joy of harvest and, inevitably, a sense of nostalgia triggered by the sight of falling leaves, evoking the melancholy sentiment of “The sunset is infinitely beautiful, yet it’s only near dusk.”
Therefore, when engaging in mental nurturing, one must cultivate inner tranquility, maintain a peaceful state of mind, and feel emotionally uplifted. It is crucial to avoid feelings of grief, sorrow, or melancholy. Even if one encounters something sad or distressing, one should proactively work through these emotions to ward off the oppressive energy of autumn. At the same time, one should also gather and conserve one’s vital energy to harmonize with the balanced and serene atmosphere of autumn.
3. Dietary调理
The "Suwen: On the Regulation of Visceral Qi According to the Seasons" states: "The lungs govern autumn... The lungs tend to contract and gather; therefore, one should promptly consume sour flavors to help them consolidate, use sour flavors to tonify them, and pungent flavors to disperse them." Sour flavors have the effect of astringing lung qi, while pungent flavors dispel and drain the lungs. Since autumn is a season for gathering rather than dispersing, one should minimize consumption of pungent foods such as scallions and ginger and instead moderately increase intake of sour-tasting fruits and vegetables.
In autumn, dryness prevails and easily damages body fluids. Therefore, diet should focus on nourishing yin and moistening the lungs. It’s advisable to consume moderately foods that are soft and moist, such as sesame seeds, glutinous rice, japonica rice, honey, loquats, pineapples, and dairy products, which can benefit the stomach, nourish the lungs, and generate body fluids.
Pay attention to supplementing vitamins and trace elements, and eat more light and easily digestible foods.
4. Exercise and Health Maintenance
Autumn is an excellent time for physical exercise. Everyone can choose activities based on their own circumstances, such as Tai Chi, yoga, swimming, stretching exercises, brisk walking, jogging, stair climbing, roller skating, jump rope, shuttlecock kicking, and badminton.
Dalian Jinshitan Hospital Address: No. 99, Qingshi Road, Dalian Jinshitan National Tourism Resort
Consultation phone: 87903438
Related News
