I. Daily Life
(1) Pay attention to keeping the joints, waist, neck and back, feet, and the lower abdomen (Dantian area) warm and protected from the cold.
(2) Participate more in outdoor activities.
(3) Do not stay up late and ensure adequate sleep. It is best to rest before 11 PM.
(4) The living environment should have good air circulation.
II. Diet and Health Preservation
During the Great Snow period, the ground is cold and the weather is frigid. Due to the cold, the human body must increase the breakdown of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins to produce more energy to meet its needs. Therefore, in winter, one can appropriately eat more foods rich in sugars, fats, proteins, and vitamins to replenish the energy consumed by the cold, replenish qi and blood, and nourish the body.
III. Exercise and Health Preservation
(1) The weather is cold during the Great Snow solar term, so attention should be paid to keeping warm. The outdoor temperature is low in the morning, so it is advisable to wear more clothes, and remove heavy outerwear only after the body has warmed up. After exercising, put on outerwear promptly to avoid catching a cold.
(2) The human body's metabolic rate is relatively slow in winter, and both yin essence and yang energy are in a state of storage. Therefore, when exercising, it is important to: fully warm up before removing outer clothes; avoid overly strenuous exercise to prevent excessive sweating; and change into dry clothes after the workout.
(3) The amount of exercise should be increased progressively.
IV. Cold Protection and Keeping Warm: Protect the Neck, Shoulders, and Chest
During the Great Snow period, cold wind can easily carry cold into the body through the neck, causing sore throats and inflammation. This is especially important for people with cervical spine issues, as wearing high-necked clothes and a scarf when going out is crucial. In addition to the neck, the shoulders, chest, back, and feet should also be kept warm. The head, chest, and feet are the three parts of the body most susceptible to cold invasion. During the coldest days of winter, foot warmth should be particularly strengthened, such as by wearing long socks and thick boots, and washing feet in hot water before bed. This not only warms the feet but also promotes the circulation of qi and blood within the body.
Because the elderly are physically weaker, they are more sensitive to the cold and may prefer to wear more clothes to sleep. However, this is very unhealthy for them. During sleep, the central nervous system's activity slows down, the heart rate decreases, and muscle tension is reduced. If one sleeps without heavy clothes, fatigue can be quickly relieved, and all organs of the body can get good rest. Wearing thick clothes to sleep can interfere with the skin's normal "breathing" and the evaporation of sweat, making one feel cold. The more clothes one wears to sleep, the colder one will feel.