🌿 Folk Prescriptions

Autumn brings cool weather, and people's diet, sleep, and mental state improve. However, "autumn fatigue, autumn dryness, autumn weight gain" are also approaching. If not properly cared for, these can bring new troubles.
Rejecting Autumn Fatigue After bidding farewell to the scorching summer, we welcome the refreshing autumn air, making people feel much more comfortable than in summer. Yet some individuals experience drowsiness and fatigue—this phenomenon is commonly known as "autumn fatigue." Autumn fatigue is a protective response compensating for the excessive physical consumption during summer. Although it will naturally subside after some adjustment and adaptation, to avoid affecting work and daily life, appropriate preventive measures should be taken. First, engage in moderate physical exercise such as walking or hiking—excellent choices—but start with low intensity and gradually increase activity levels; excessive exercise may increase fatigue and hinder recovery. Second, ensure adequate sleep. Third, adjust your diet: eat light meals and avoid greasy foods; consume more vitamin-rich foods like carrots, lotus root, pears, honey, sesame, and black fungus; increase intake of potassium-rich foods. Fourth, moderately consume caffeine-containing foods.
Rejecting Autumn Dryness The dry climate of autumn often causes dryness in mouth, nose, throat, and leads to dry coughs. Since the lungs and large intestine are interrelated, autumn may also result in constipation. Additionally, autumn dryness can cause chapped lips, dry skin, and hair loss. To prevent autumn dryness, first pay attention to replenishing fluids—drink 3–4 cups of warm water daily. Autumn diet should focus on nourishing yin and moistening the lungs while preventing dryness and protecting yin. Eat more pears, apples, grapes, bananas, radishes, and leafy greens to promote saliva production and prevent dryness; limit spicy, stimulating foods like chili, green onions, ginger, and garlic. Elderly people should not bathe too frequently in autumn—once or twice weekly is ideal, each session no longer than half an hour, with water temperature around 25°C. Avoid alkaline soaps; instead use mild, less irritating soaps. Also, maintain a cheerful mood and laugh often—this not only benefits lung health but also helps relieve depression, eliminate fatigue, ease chest tightness, and restore energy.
Rejecting Autumn Weight Gain During summer, high temperatures lead to significant energy expenditure, causing poor appetite and insufficient caloric intake. In autumn, as the weather cools down, people tend to unconsciously overeat, greatly increasing calorie intake. Combined with favorable weather promoting sound sleep and reduced sweating, and the body’s natural tendency to store fat for winter warmth, more calories are consumed than expended. Thus, even slight carelessness in autumn can lead to weight gain—especially dangerous for those already overweight. Therefore, overweight individuals should pay special attention to weight control in autumn. First, regulate diet by consuming low-calorie weight-loss foods such as red beans, radishes, coix seed, seaweed, and mushrooms. Second, increase calorie expenditure through planned physical activities. With clear skies and pleasant weather, autumn is an ideal time for travel—enjoying scenic views improves mood and increases physical activity, effectively aiding weight reduction.