From this solar term, the northeast wind blows more frequently. Because the weather is cold but not yet in the depths of winter, many people don't pay much attention to wearing hats and scarves. "The head is the meeting point of all yang meridians," meaning the head is where all yang meridians converge and is the most vulnerable to wind and cold. Everyone must wear a hat and must pay attention to preventing cold and protecting yang energy.
During this solar term, indoor heating systems start to supply warmth. It's cold outside, and people are bundled up, so the body's heat cannot dissipate easily, which can easily lead to "internal fire," what people commonly call "getting heaty." It's often heard that people around get mouth ulcers, and even more pimples appear on their faces than usual. These are manifestations of internal fire. Although people like to eat hot food on cold days, Professor Jiang advises everyone that it's best not to eat overly spicy and numbing food, as this will further fuel the "internal fire" in the body.
Additionally, in the cold and dry indoor environment, most people feel their mouth and nose are dry, as if they're about to burst into flames. It is recommended to drink more hot soups, such as cabbage and tofu soup, spinach and tofu soup, or mutton and white radish soup. These are both warming and can nourish body fluids. The cabbage and radish of this season are in-season, rich in vitamins and various trace elements. Moreover, white radish can clear fire, lower qi, and aid digestion, making it very suitable to eat during this solar term.
As the old saying goes, the weather is bound to change around the Lesser Snow solar term. The sun seems to be hidden by dark clouds, and the temperature drops by a few degrees. Moreover, most northern regions begin to see light snowfall, while the south will have rainy weather. From this solar term onward, the feeling of winter deepens, the weather gets colder, and the gloomy, cold weather has a considerable impact on both body and mind. So, how to take good care of your body during the cold winter—there's quite a bit to learn about it!
Around the Lesser Snow solar term, the weather is often gloomy, cold, and overcast. From a Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective, the body's internal circulation is in a stage of yin flourishing and yang waning.
As the weather gradually enters true cold, wearing more clothes to ward off the cold and paying attention to keeping warm is essential. For people with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, the most important thing to protect is the heart.
For elderly people who have the habit of morning exercise, it is best to schedule their workouts after sunrise or in the afternoon during this period. Because the temperature difference between indoors and outdoors is large, when going outdoors for activities, be sure to warm up properly in advance.
During the gloomy and cold season, it's also easy for people to feel depressed. Depression can cause liver function disorders and trigger adverse reactions like blood pressure fluctuations. Therefore, experts also remind citizens, especially elderly friends, that during this period, it's best to have family companionship so that if any discomfort occurs, they can be sent to the hospital for timely treatment.