The Winter Solstice is a representative festival marking the beginning of winter in the year. Many people experience changes in their physical condition during the Winter Solstice, so what are the physiological changes for our elderly friends? The "Lingshu - Tian Nian" chapter states: "At sixty, the heart-qi begins to decline, causing distress, sorrow, and grief. The qi and blood become slack and lazy, hence a fondness for lying down. At seventy, the spleen-qi becomes deficient, and the skin withers. At eighty, the lung-qi declines, and the po becomes detached, hence speech is often mistaken..." This natural decline in physiological functions such as the organs, qi, blood, and spirit also affects psychological changes, manifesting as common feelings of loneliness, the twilight of life, melancholy, suspicion, irritability, and irritability. It is precisely this decrease in stability and self-control in both physiology and psychology that makes elderly friends more susceptible to illness and slower to recover. So, how should the elderly maintain their health during the Winter Solstice?
I. (Spiritual Nourishment: Be content, modest, and diligent in old age)
Maintain a mindset of "modesty and courtesy, respecting others and holding oneself," and "contentment brings no disgrace, knowing when to stop avoids danger." This means being open-minded, magnanimous, modest, and kind in dealing with the world; being content in life without excessive desires; keeping the heart young while the body ages; loving life, maintaining self-confidence, and using the mind diligently. The Song dynasty physician Chen Zhi, in his book "Shou Qin Yang Lao Xin Shu," included a poem: "One's own illness, one must know oneself; one's own illness, one must heal with one's own heart. When the heart is calm, the body is calm; when the heart is born, illness is born." The poem warns us that only by engaging in our own psychological health care can we prevent emotional illnesses.
II. Dietary Nourishment (Prudent regulation of diet)
1. Diet should be diverse: Grains, fruits, meats, and vegetables should be reasonably搭配, and high-calcium foods should be selected appropriately.
2. Diet should be light: In view of the weakness of the spleen and stomach in the elderly, it is not advisable to eat rich, greasy, or overly salty foods. From the perspective of modern nutrition, the diet of the elderly should be "three more, three less": more protein, vitamins, and fiber; less sugar, fat, and salt.
3. Diet should be warm, cooked, and soft: The yang energy of the elderly declines daily, and the spleen prefers warmth and dislikes cold, so it is advisable to eat warm foods to protect the spleen and kidneys. Due to loose and falling teeth and difficulty chewing, it is advisable to eat cooked and soft foods.
4. Diet should be small and frequent: "For those of venerable age, one must not eat to fullness at once, but should eat frequently, so that the essence of grain always remains." This advocates for small, frequent meals for the elderly to ensure the necessary nutrition without harming the spleen and stomach.
III. Nourishment in Accordance with the Seasons (Following the four seasons to adapt to cold and heat)
The elderly are advised to "follow the methods of nourishment according to the four seasons, follow the qi of the five elements' waxing and waning, respectfully care for parents, and be cautious and diligent." This means that heaven, earth, the four seasons, and all things have an impact on human life activities. To seek balance in the natural world, one must first follow the laws of nature, adapt to the climate changes of the four seasons, and understand that "the best thing for a person is to always desire to live a joyful life." Only in this way can one remain strong in old age and extend one's lifespan.
IV. Daily Routine Care (Regular daily routine, not overworking)
"A regular daily routine nourishes the spirit, and not overworking nourishes the essence." If the elderly can reasonably arrange their daily routine, they can nourish their spirit and energy. Moderate work and rest can nourish their kidney essence. One should try to "walk at a moderate pace, do not strain the ears to listen, do not strain the eyes to see, do not sit for too long, and do not lie down to the point of exhaustion."
V. Assistance from Medicines (Strengthening the foundation of innate constitution, protecting the qi of postnatal life)
An important condition for health and longevity is a strong innate constitution and sufficient postnatal nourishment. Due to the decline in the body's functions in the elderly, in addition to other aspects of conditioning, some medicines can help strengthen the body. Medicinal nourishment should focus on strengthening the foundation of innate constitution and protecting the qi of postnatal life. The so-called "foundation of innate constitution" refers to the kidneys, which are the foundation of innate constitution and the root of life. When kidney qi is abundant, the body's metabolic capacity is strong, and the rate of aging is slow. The so-called "qi of postnatal life" refers to the spleen and stomach, which are the source of qi and blood production, and all the nutrients needed for the body's life activities are supplied by the spleen and stomach.
Therefore, the medicinal nourishment for the elderly should focus on protecting the spleen and kidneys. The principles of medication should follow: tonify more and purge less; the medicine should be mild, and the dosage small; focus on the spleen and kidneys, while considering the five organs; tonify according to categories, balance yin and yang; master the seasonal timing and observe patterns; use more pills, powders, pastes, and pellets, and fewer decoctions; use both medicine and food, and guide according to the situation. Only by using medicine in this way can one correct imbalances, prevent illness, and extend life.