Do you often feel exhausted? Do you suffer from lower back and leg pain that keeps you awake at night? Are you prone to catching colds during seasonal changes?
These are signals from your body, and over two thousand years ago, our ancestors left us ways to cope in the Huangdi Neijing. Today, let us delve into this “Bible of Traditional Chinese Medicine” and see how the wisdom of the ancients can help modern people easily maintain their health.
Principle One: Follow the Seasons, There is a Way to Health Preservation
In the Huangdi Neijing, Suwen it states: “In spring and summer, nourish Yang; in autumn and winter, nourish Yin, to follow the way of growth and storage, thus one can live long and see many days“.
What does this mean? Simply put, it means thateach season has its own health preservation methods, and by adjusting your lifestyle according to seasonal changes, your body will naturally be healthy.
Spring Health Preservation: Relax and Stretch Spring is the season of revival, a time when Yang energy is on the rise. During this time, we should:
- Go to bed early and rise early, and spend more time outdoors
- Engage in appropriate stretching and gentle exercises
- Maintain a light diet, incorporating seasonal vegetables like bamboo shoots and spinach
Mr. Li, who is 68 this year, started walking for half an hour every morning in his community last year, and unexpectedly, his long-standing constipation problem has improved!
Summer Health Preservation: Calm Heart and Cool Qi In summer, Yang energy is abundant, which can lead to irritability. During this time, we should:
- Keep a cheerful mood and avoid anger
- Sleep a little later, but ensure quality sleep
- Maintain a light diet, and drink mung bean soup or lotus leaf tea
Aunt Zhang has trouble sleeping every summer, but since she learned to soak her feet after dinner and drink chrysanthemum tea, she can now sleep through the night!
Autumn and Winter Health Preservation: Store and Keep Warm In autumn and winter, Yang energy contracts, and we should:
- Go to bed early and rise late to preserve Yang energy
- Wear appropriate clothing, especially to protect the neck and abdomen
- Consume warming foods, such as porridge and soups
Mr. Wang adjusted his habits according to this method and has not caught a cold in winter for three consecutive years, feeling even stronger than in his youth!
Principle Two: Regulate Diet, Strong Stomach, Healthy Person
In the Huangdi Neijing, Suwen it states: “Regulate diet, maintain regular living habits, do not overwork, thus the body and spirit can be together, and one can live out their full lifespan“.
This sentence tells us:Regular eating and avoiding excessive fatigue are key to health and longevity.
Three Parts Hunger and Seven Parts Full Eating until you are seven parts full and leaving three parts hungry is the healthiest way to eat. Many centenarians have this habit, not because they cannot afford more, but because they truly understand the way of health preservation.
Chew Slowly, Saliva Production Chewing slowly and thoroughly, with each bite chewed 20-30 times, not only promotes digestion but also reduces the burden on the stomach. Grandma Lin insists on this practice, and at 80 years old, she still has great teeth, envied by even the young!
Diverse Foods, Balanced Nutrition Combining coarse and fine grains, meat and vegetables, and including foods of five colors daily ensures comprehensive nutrition without the need for any supplements.
Principle Three: Combine Movement and Rest, Smooth Qi and Blood
In the Huangdi Neijing, Suwen it states: “Prolonged viewing injures blood, prolonged lying injures Qi, prolonged sitting injures flesh, prolonged standing injures bones, prolonged walking injures tendons“.
This sentence tells us:Do not maintain one posture for too long; balance movement and rest.
Every hour of sitting, get up and move for five minutes Modern people often sit for long periods, which is the source of many ailments. By getting up to move around, stretching your neck, and moving your wrists and ankles every hour, you can prevent Qi and blood stagnation.
Slow Walking is Better than Fast Running You do not need intense exercise; a half-hour slow walk daily can promote the circulation of Qi and blood throughout the body. Grandpa Zhao walks slowly in the community after dinner, which not only lowers his blood pressure but also reduces his belly fat!
Meridian Massage, Simple and Effective Massaging the face, palms, and soles daily can stimulate the entire meridian system. Especially, rubbing the Yongquan (Kidney 1) point on the soles before bed helps calm the mind and aids sleep.
Health Preservation is Not Difficult, Persistence is Key
The health preservation wisdom in the Huangdi Neijing may seem simple, but it contains profound truths. It tells us:Health preservation is not about doing complex things, but about consistently doing simple things well.
Starting today, choose the health preservation principle that suits you best and stick to it. You will find that health preservation is so simple, and health is within your reach!
Remember: do not wait until you are sick to think about health preservation; start taking action while you are healthy. This is true wisdom!
Every day of yours deserves to be accompanied by health; start investing in your health now!
