Supplementing with food is better than with medicine
Experts say that the amount of nourishment during the Great Cold should be gradually reduced, but it is still a good time for winter supplementation. The focus should be on strengthening the spleen and kidneys and nourishing the liver blood. There are two ways to supplement: through food and through medicine. As the saying goes, "Supplementing with food is better than with medicine." Experts suggest that citizens should focus on food supplementation. For those with a tendency towards yang deficiency, it is advisable to eat warming foods such as lamb and chicken; for those with a tendency towards yin deficiency, it is best to eat foods that nourish yin, such as duck, goose, soft-shelled turtle, tortoise, sea cucumber, and tremella. For medicinal supplementation, one should choose what to take based on their own constitution and symptoms. For example, those with yang deficiency should take supplements like deer antler, Cistanche, cinnamon, and Alpinia oxyphylla; those with yin deficiency can take Liuwei Dihuang Wan, goji berries, and tremella. Those who can drink alcohol can also use medicinal wines for supplementation, common ones include goji wine and Cordyceps wine.
Drink hot drinks in the morning, prevent colds and wind
Great Cold means the weather is extremely cold. During the Great Cold solar term, cold waves frequently move south, making it the coldest period of the year for most parts of China.
Experts say that during the Great Cold, the incidence of myocardial infarction reaches its highest level of the year. In addition, some hypertensive patients with poor vascular elasticity often experience greater fluctuations in blood pressure during the Great Cold, and many patients with chronic bronchitis can easily relapse if they are not careful.
Experts suggest that the weak and elderly should最好 live in a warm indoor environment and try to go out as little as possible. It is best to get up as late as possible in the morning, and can go outdoors for about an hour at noon or in the afternoon. A common saying goes: "Great Cold, great cold, prevent wind and resist cold." In addition to paying attention to preventing cold, it is also necessary to prevent wind during the Great Cold. Clothing should be added or removed according to temperature changes. Hands and feet are prone to freezing and should be kept warm. When going out, be sure to wear an outer jacket, and it is best to wear a mask, hat, and scarf. Before going out in the morning, you might as well drink some hot drinks like milk or soy milk to invigorate the spleen and stomach.
Soak feet in hot water, increase water intake
As the saying goes: "Cold starts from the feet, cold comes from the legs." Soaking your feet in hot water before going to bed can dilate blood vessels, speed up blood flow, improve the skin and tissue nutrition of the feet, reduce muscle tension, improve sleep quality, and is beneficial for preventing chilblains and for health preservation. Those who often read or write late into the night or sit for a long time should especially soak their feet in hot water before sleeping.
The indoor air is dry in winter with low humidity. Many people also often turn on the heater or air conditioner because they are afraid of the cold. Experts suggest that in addition to frequently opening windows for ventilation, it is best to use an air humidifier or place a basin of water to increase indoor humidity. In addition, everyone should consciously increase their water intake and not wait until they feel thirsty to drink. You can drink a glass of warm water before going to bed and after getting up.
Experts say that during the "Great Cold" period, one's daily routine should follow the characteristics of winter storage, adhering to the principle of sleeping early and rising late to allow the yang qi to be fully restored through sleep. However, modern work schedules constrain the "late rising," so one should go to bed appropriately early at night and definitely stay up late.
It is advisable to eat millet porridge and drink more tea
Experts suggest that during the Great Cold, people should eat more warming foods, such as beef, lamb, venison, and dog meat. However, people with sub-health conditions like yin deficiency or internal heat should not eat too many "hot" natured foods. The elderly often suffer from cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, with problems like high blood pressure and high blood lipids, so they should not eat too much meat to avoid excessive intake of high-fat foods.
Experts remind that one's diet should not be too focused on any single flavor like sweet, salty, sour, or spicy. It is advisable to drink more tea to benefit health preservation. In addition, one should eat more yellow-green vegetables, such as carrots, rapeseed, and spinach. At the same time, one can eat more foods that strengthen the spleen and aid digestion, such as Chinese yam, hawthorn, and grapefruit. You can also drink more millet porridge or spleen-strengthening and dampness-removing porridge to regulate the gastrointestinal tract.