What should one pay attention to in spring eating habits? Mentally, as spring corresponds to the liver's wood element, maintaining emotional ease promotes the smooth flow of liver qi. This harmonizes the liver's ascending energy with spring's rising yang, enhancing the body's adaptability to external changes. So what should one pay attention to in spring eating habits?
In daily routines, it is advisable to go to bed slightly later, rise early, and take walks outdoors. This helps align with spring's vibrant vitality, drawing energy from nature to maintain robust vitality.This occurs because the rising yang energy draws the body's qi and blood toward the surface. The circulatory system intensifies, increasing blood supply to the skin's periphery and sweat gland secretion. As the load on various tissues and organs grows, the central nervous system produces a calming, hypnotic effect. This causes physical fatigue, making it difficult to wake up in the morning and leading to drowsiness afterward—a phenomenon commonly known as spring fatigue.To adapt to these physiological changes, one should rise early to stretch and move the body. However, the elderly and those with chronic illnesses should adjust according to their individual circumstances. As temperatures gradually rise, pathogenic microorganisms like bacteria and viruses also begin to grow, multiply, and spread disease. Therefore, special attention should be paid to indoor hygiene during this time. Maintain fresh indoor air and ample sunlight to prevent common spring illnesses such as influenza, meningitis, and mumps.
Regarding clothing, although spring brings warmer weather, avoid hastily shedding layers. Early spring temperatures fluctuate unpredictably, much like a child's mood, with sudden cold snaps often occurring.Elderly individuals, with weaker constitutions and reduced disease resistance, are particularly vulnerable to illness from exposure to wind and cold. Sudden temperature drops can cause blood vessel spasms, increase blood viscosity, and slow blood flow, leading to organ ischemia. This can trigger a cascade of conditions including colds, pneumonia, bronchitis, asthma, arthritis, migraines, and coronary heart disease.During this season, prioritize wind and cold protection by keeping warm cotton garments readily available for use when temperatures drop. Spring attire should be loose and comfortable. Pure cotton fabrics, known for their excellent moisture absorption, warmth, and close fit, make ideal choices for undergarments. Dietary selections should favor sweet, pungent, and warming foods that are light and palatable. Avoid greasy, raw, cold, or hard-to-digest items.Prioritize foods that promote upward energy flow while being nutrient-rich, such as soybean sprouts, mung bean sprouts, citrus fruits, scallions, garlic, cilantro, and honey. Since fresh vegetables are scarce in winter, vitamin intake tends to be insufficient. To disperse the internal heat accumulated over winter, increase consumption of fresh vegetables like spring bamboo shoots and spinach.For those with allergic constitutions prone to hay fever, hives, or skin conditions, avoid stimulating foods containing foreign proteins like lamb or crab.
Spring generally requires no tonic supplements. However, for those experiencing weakness, fatigue, shortness of breath, reluctance to speak, or sweating upon exertion, prepare a decoction using:250 grams of chicken, 5 red dates, and 3 slices of ginger. Simmer until tender, season lightly with salt, and consume both the broth and meat. This can be taken regularly.
What should one pay attention to in spring dining? For exercise, choose gentle, stretching movements like walking, jogging, spring outings, or kite-flying.