As the weather gradually warms, rainfall begins to increase. While all living things need the nourishment of rain, excessive rainfall and dampness can not only cause a heavy feeling in the body but also lead to symptoms such as loss of appetite, indigestion, and diarrhea.
Heavy Dampness and Cold during the "Rain Water" Solar Term
An old farming proverb says: "On the Rain Water solar term, rain replaces snow." This means that after Rain Water, the possibility of snowfall becomes very small, yet the moisture in the air gradually increases. The weather is not only cold but also damp.
Furthermore, during the "Rain Water" period, the weather is unpredictable, and cold air activity remains frequent. The phenomenon known as "spring cold snaps" often occurs. This fluctuating weather, with its sudden cold and warm spells, not only affects the growth of sprouting crops, grass, and trees but also poses significant health risks to humans.
Eat More Warming and Tonifying Foods
Dampness in the human body mainly comes from two sources. One is internal; for example, people with poor spleen and stomach function tend to have heavier internal dampness. The other is external. With the increase in rainy and hazy weather, the air is heavy with dampness, which can easily invade the body through the skin and respiratory tract.
So, how can you tell if your body has excess dampness? If you have a thick tongue coating, feel tired and weak in your limbs, have cloudy urine, or loose stools, it indicates heavy internal dampness, and you should adjust your lifestyle promptly.
The "Neijing" (Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon) states that "dampness is related to the spleen." Therefore, during this period, it is important to strengthen and protect the spleen and stomach, and to invigorate the spleen to expel dampness.
Avoid acidic foods and eat more warming and tonifying foods, such as onions, garlic, and Chinese cabbage. Health experts remind that for those with spleen deficiency and cold-dampness, it's best to avoid eating food straight from the refrigerator, including some fruits.
In addition to eating more warming foods, you can also drink "Er Tang Tang," a decoction made from dried tangerine peel, pinellia, Poria cocos, and licorice. Alternatively, cooking porridge with Job's tears and lotus seeds can also help invigorate the spleen and transform dampness.
Reduce Exposure to Dampness
Many middle-aged and elderly people are keen on early morning exercise, insisting on outdoor workouts even on rainy days, but this is not scientifically advisable.
Health experts explain that during the Rain Water solar term, the air is damp and cold. Excessive exposure to dampness can cause chest tightness and increase the risk of myocardial infarction and stroke. Therefore, it's best to wait until after the sun comes out to engage in outdoor activities. Of course, exercise should be "gentle"; otherwise, excessive sweating and open pores will also allow dampness to enter the body.
Furthermore, on damp days, the timing for ventilation is important. It's best to open the windows in the afternoon. When dampness is heavy, especially in the morning and evening, it's best to keep doors and windows closed to maintain a dry indoor environment.
"Because the spring climate is humid and conducive to bacterial growth, combined with some people's carelessness in daily life, it creates an opportunity for diseases to strike," a health expert reminds. During this time, it's best to avoid crowded places to prevent being infected with diseases like measles and pneumonia. This is especially true for children, who should stay away from crowded public spaces and people with existing respiratory illnesses to avoid infection.
In an interview, a reporter found that many women do not dry their hair immediately after washing it. This allows moisture to remain around the hairline, causing cold-dampness to gather in the head and penetrate deeper, leading to headaches. If the damp hair is then blown by cold wind, it can easily trigger "migraines." Therefore, hair should be dried with a hairdryer promptly after washing.
Health experts also remind that it's best to avoid contact with cold water on an empty stomach in the morning, as this can easily cause joint pain. For those with a cold-damp constitution, it's best to wear gloves before handling cold water after a meal. Wearing damp clothes can also allow coldness to invade the body, so on foggy days, it's best to dry clothes before wearing them.