The days when the spring breeze brushes your face and the ice and snow are melting are upon us. During such times, many people can't wait to shed their heavy winter clothes and go light, but they can easily fall prey to various seasonal illnesses. In fact, during the Rain Water solar term, it is even more important to pay attention to adjustments in diet and daily routine.
After the Rain Water solar term, the climate turns warmer but is often windy and dry, which can lead to dry skin, a dry mouth and tongue, and chapped lips. Therefore, one should eat more fresh vegetables and fruits to supplement the body's moisture. As spring is the beginning of growth for all things, it is advisable to eat less greasy food. In spring, one should reduce the intake of sour foods and eat more sweet ones to nourish the spleen. You can choose foods like chives, toon sprouts, lilies, crown daisies, lotus root, taro, and radishes.
The Rain Water solar term falls in early spring, when the weather is getting warmer but can still be cold, with large temperature differences between day and night. People with weaker constitutions are more prone to colds. Don't rush to take off your winter clothes; pay attention to keeping warm. You should exercise more, take deep breaths outdoors, and get more sun exposure. Additionally, during the Rain Water period, as the first rains begin, joint pain, especially in the shoulders and lower back, is more common, so it's important to keep warm.
When the weather is warming up but still cold, one cannot ignore the common saying, "spring捂" (chūn wǔ). "Spring捂" means not rushing to take off thick clothes in spring. This is a health principle for dressing proposed by the ancients based on the characteristics of spring's climate change. In early spring, yang energy gradually grows, the climate becomes increasingly mild, and people gradually switch from padded to single-layer clothing. However, during this time, cold air activity is frequent, and temperatures fluctuate greatly. Although the weather during the Rain Water period is not as cold as in the deep winter, because the skin's pores have become relatively loose, the body's resistance to wind and cold is weakened, making one susceptible to illness from these pathogenic factors. Therefore, the principle of "spring捂" is quite logical.