Revival of Life: Health Preservation Has Its "Way"
In the aftermath of excessive winter dieting and irregular, exhausting lifestyles, spring arrives as a time to take action—reorganize your body and mind, replenish energy, and lay a solid foundation for the new year.
Regular routines: As spring comes, skin expands, blood supply to extremities increases, sweat glands become more active, and internal organs face greater strain, while the central nervous system experiences sedative and hypnotic effects, leading to feelings of fatigue. Avoid oversleeping, as this hinders the upward movement of yang qi. To adapt to this climatic shift, maintain early bedtimes and early rising, frequently walking outdoors, in shaded paths or forests, merging with nature.
Dietary regulation: In spring, human metabolism accelerates; diets should include pungent, sweet, and slightly warm foods. Avoid greasy and cold raw items; instead, consume foods rich in vitamin B and fresh vegetables.
Spring is the peak season for liver activity; eating too many sour foods intensifies liver fire, damaging the spleen and stomach. Focus on sweet, neutral-tasting foods rich in protein and minerals.
Mental well-being: Mental activities must align with seasonal changes. The transition between seasons, especially winter to spring, most affects human health. Some people struggle to adapt to spring’s climate shifts, making them prone to mental disorders. Pay attention to emotional health in spring, maintain optimism and cheerfulness to ensure smooth liver qi flow, thus preventing illness and promoting wellness.
Exercise maintenance: After spring begins, adapt to the rising yang qi by increasing physical exercise—run, practice martial arts, do exercises, or walk in fresh air outdoors. This promotes detoxification, stretches tendons and bones, and lays a strong foundation for work and study throughout the year.
Warmth and disease prevention: “Wear extra layers in spring, endure cold in autumn” is traditional wisdom for adapting to climate. Spring weather fluctuates unpredictably; wearing light clothing risks infection and threatens health. Middle-aged and elderly individuals with hypertension or heart disease must particularly guard against cold to prevent strokes or myocardial infarction. (Author: Lin Wei)