After the End of Heat, Fight "Autumn Fatigue" with an Extra Hour of Sleep
August 23rd marks the "End of Heat". Wang Guowei, Chief Physician of Internal Medicine at Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, explains that the term "End of Heat" signifies that the summer heat gradually subsides and the weather begins to cool. "Autumn Fatigue" also creeps up on people unnoticed. To combat "Autumn Fatigue", it is best to sleep an extra hour compared to usual.
Experts point out that during the End of Heat, the weather transitions from hot to cool, with cool mornings and evenings, while temperatures remain high at noon. The damp-heat is quite heavy, which in Traditional Chinese Medicine is described as "summer heat weighing down the spleen," making people feel easily fatigued. This is what people commonly refer to as "Autumn Fatigue." To alleviate it, adequate sleep is crucial, with an additional hour of sleep being ideal. Furthermore, it's important to increase physical activity, such as jogging, practicing tai chi or other exercises, and hiking in the mornings and evenings.
Experts also remind that after the End of Heat, one should eat more foods rich in vitamins, such as tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, potatoes, grapes, and pears, to help overcome tiredness. It is advisable to reduce greasy meat and consume more alkaline foods like apples, kelp, and fresh vegetables to neutralize the acidic substances produced in muscles during fatigue, thereby eliminating it.