[Health and wellness] One leaf tells us that autumn is coming, and here is how to keep fit in autumn↓↓

“The beginning of autumn is not autumn, autumn comes after the end of summer heat.” Last Thursday, we finally welcomed the true meteorological autumn.

According to the climate trend forecast of Tianjin Climate Center, the average temperature in the city is expected to be around 24°C and the average precipitation will be around 75 mm from late August to mid-September.
The summer clouds are gone, and the cool breeze is blowing. See here for autumn health care↓↓

【Three “fears” of keeping fit during the Chushu period】

Fear｜Sleeping less——

After the summer comes the autumn, the dryness and heat consumes the Qi and hurts the Yin, which can easily cause weakness in the limbs, fatigue and laziness due to Qi deficiency. It is recommended to change the habit of going to bed late in summer, and try to sleep an extra hour every day to enter the "preparation" state to prevent autumn fatigue in advance.

Fear｜Few windows open——

The temperature in early autumn has turned cooler, so it is advisable to ensure indoor ventilation so that the autumn breeze can wash away the damp and turbid air left in the room by the summer heat. During the day, as long as the indoor temperature is not high, the air conditioning should be used less frequently.

Fear｜Putting on weight in autumn——

Compared to the ancient times when meat was scarce, we can now choose a variety of meats every day. Blindly "putting on weight in autumn" at this time can easily lead to obesity and overweight problems. Especially in autumn and winter, compared with spring and summer, we consume an average of 220 kcal more per day, which makes it easier to gain weight.
Moreover, people's gastrointestinal function is weak at this time. Eating too much meat and other high-protein foods will increase the burden on the stomach and intestines and affect gastrointestinal function.

【II. Health preservation during the Beginning of Heat · 3 “Threes”】

Drink three soups to replenish water during the End of Heat

Olive and sour plum soup - thirst quenching

In autumn, people are prone to dry throat, fever, and dry stool. It is recommended to drink olive and sour plum soup, which helps to quench thirst. You can take three or four fresh olives with pits, crack them, and cook them with two or three black plums in water. Then add a little salt to the sugar water. It tastes good and has a certain anti-inflammatory effect.

Pearl and Jade Porridge - Moisturizing and Nourishing the Lungs

The dryness in autumn is mainly manifested as warm dryness, dry cough with little sputum, dry throat and discomfort, and some people will have a loss of appetite. It is recommended to cook some porridge at night, such as Zhuyu Erbao porridge. The ingredients are coix seed, fresh yam and dried persimmon frost. Yam is mild in nature and sweet in taste. It belongs to the spleen and lung meridians and has the effect of moistening dryness and nourishing the lungs. Coix seed is cool in nature and light in taste, which can strengthen the spleen.

Wolfberry, Polygonatum and Black Chicken Soup - Nourishing Lung Yin

In autumn, the lungs are often too hot, which hurts the liver. Eating some wolfberries can nourish the liver and kidneys. Polygonatum odoratum is a good medicine for nourishing lung yin and producing body fluid. Black chicken is the best choice for autumn fattening, especially for the elderly and women with weak constitutions, and has a better effect in nourishing lung yin.

Three habits to avoid during the End of Heat

01 Continue to wear shorts and vests——

After the dog days, it is cooler in the morning and evening. The neck, back, and feet are the places with the most blood vessels. If you continue to wear shorts, vests, etc., the stimulation of autumn coolness will cause blood vessels to shrink sharply , causing health crisis.

02 The summer mat is still not removed——

After the beginning of autumn, the yang energy in nature gradually recedes and the yin energy gradually grows. Only when the yang energy is gathered can we "keep the positive energy inside and prevent the evil from entering" and not be afraid of the cold evil in winter. The Du channel on our back has the function of warming the yang energy, so to maintain the yang energy, we need to warm up the back. It's time to take off the cool mat, otherwise, catching a cold can easily lead to local soreness, diarrhea and other problems.

03 Don’t avoid eating raw or cold food——

After the beginning of autumn, whether it is watermelon, cantaloupe or cucumber, you can't eat too much, otherwise it will damage the yang energy of the spleen and stomach. At this time, the spleen and stomach are weak and the resistance is reduced. You can eat more warm food or drink some hot medicinal food to nourish the body.

Three acupuncture points for health care during the End of Heat

Common problems caused by autumn dryness include rhinitis, colds, pharyngitis, dry skin, constipation, etc., which can be relieved by massaging acupoints.

Rhinitis - Yingxiang point, Bitong point

Yingxiang acupoint and Bitong acupoint are often used to treat various rhinitis, colds and other problems. The former is near the midpoint of the outer edge of the nose, and the latter is located at the junction of the nose cartilage and the nasal concha. Frequently pressing these two acupoints can relieve or prevent sneezing, runny nose and other discomforts, and the effect of clearing the nose is obvious.

Pharyngitis - Hegu point, Zhaohai point

Hegu and Zhaohai are both acupuncture points for treating throat. Hegu is located at the base of the thumb and can relieve sore throat. Zhaohai belongs to the acupuncture point of the Kidney Meridian of Foot Shaoyin, located on the inner side of the foot, in the depression below the tip of the inner ankle. At the same time, you can alternately massage Lieque, Taixi and Tiantu points to enhance the effect of increasing fluid and moistening the throat.

Constipation - Tianshu point, Taixi point

According to traditional Chinese medicine, the lung and large intestine are exterior and interior to each other. Excess heat in the lung can affect the large intestine, and heat in the intestine consumes body fluids, which can easily lead to dry stools and constipation. Tianshu acupoint has a two-way regulating effect on the treatment of constipation. It can relieve constipation and stop diarrhea. Taixi acupoint is also effective in alleviating intestinal dysfunction.

The summer heat is gone, and the cool breeze of autumn is here. I wish you have something to warm your body and someone to warm your heart.

Information source | Comprehensive from People's Daily, Health Times, Tianjin Meteorological Bureau