After National Day, everyone clearly feels the temperature drop, with significant differences between morning and evening. This is due to the arrival of the Cold Dew solar term. During Cold Dew, people should pay attention to keeping warm. So, how should one maintain health during Cold Dew? What precautions should be taken for health preservation? Today, the editor of Sanjiu Health Hall will discuss Cold Dew customs and the best ways to stay healthy. Let's take a look.
The Cold Dew period annually runs from October 8th or 9th to the 23rd or 24th. As we bid farewell to the lovely September and welcome the golden October, having journeyed through the End of Heat, White Dew, and Autumn Equinox while continually praising autumn, we remain equally generous with our words of admiration during Cold Dew.Clear skies, crisp air, sunny days with gentle breezes, and the interplay of stars and moonlight remain the dominant weather themes across much of China during this period. While southerners begin to enjoy the cool autumn breeze, northerners are already experiencing the melancholic beauty of late autumn.
By Cold Dew, the sun's zenith has shifted from 55.7°S to 11.32°S. In the Northern Hemisphere, the sun's altitude angle diminishes, significantly reducing ground heat absorption compared to summer. Temperatures drop noticeably, with cold air affecting most regions—even southern China. Many now express their feelings through the word "cold."
Literally, "cold dew" (寒露) means "cold" (寒) and "dew" (露), referring to the condensation of moisture near the ground into dewdrops. However, from a meteorological perspective, like the White Dew and Frost's Descent solar terms, Cold Dew signifies a shift in heat rather than moisture. It primarily reflects a transition in temperature and the progression of seasonal change.
People in southern regions might wonder: Why do we see no dew in the mornings or evenings during Cold Dew? This is understandable, as the 24 solar terms originated in the Yellow River basin. At this time, temperatures in southern China remain relatively high, delaying the appearance of dew compared to the north.
Though only 15 days separate Cold Dew from the subsequent Frost's Descent, this period sees one of the year's most rapid temperature drops. Following a cold front, daily average temperatures commonly plummet by 8°C to 10°C. Thus, this season marks a pivotal turning point in climate change across many regions of China.
The Difference Between Cold Dew and White Dew
Ancient laborers divided the year into four seasons and twenty-four solar terms to better prepare for agricultural work. As the name suggests, each solar term has its distinct characteristics. Today, we'll use Cold Dew and White Dew as examples to explain. If you're interested, read on.
Clarifying the Saying
The proverb goes: "Don't bare your body at White Dew, don't bare your feet at Cold Dew." This adage reminds us: After White Dew, avoid going shirtless; after Cold Dew, prioritize keeping your feet warm.
After White Dew, temperatures drop significantly with large daily fluctuations. The weather becomes unpredictable, especially during early mornings and evenings when temperatures plummet far below daytime highs, bringing a distinct chill. Remaining bare-chested or wearing shorts during this time makes one highly susceptible to catching a cold or triggering a relapse of existing ailments.Individuals with weak constitutions, gastric disorders, or chronic pulmonary conditions must be especially diligent about adding layers in the morning and evening and avoiding sleeping in cool environments. Autumn sees heightened bacterial proliferation coupled with drier conditions, facilitating the spread of pathogens like viruses and bacteria. Consequently, this season is particularly prone to respiratory illnesses.
After Cold Dew, the weather fluctuates between cold and warm, with significant day-night temperature differences. A moment's carelessness can lead to catching a chill, triggering upper respiratory infections. Additionally, those with chronic stomach conditions should prioritize warmth in daily life to prevent abdominal exposure from causing recurrence or worsening of their ailments.
After Cold Dew, the night air grows particularly biting.The adage "Keep your feet covered after Cold Dew" reminds people to prioritize foot warmth after this solar term, avoiding bare feet to prevent cold entering the body through the feet. As the feet are farthest from the heart with relatively less blood supply, coupled with thin fat layers, they have poor insulation and are easily affected by cold stimuli. Research indicates a close neural connection between the feet and the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract.
Exposure to cold in the feet can trigger various ailments, including constriction of capillaries in the upper respiratory tract mucosa, weakened ciliary movement, and a corresponding decline in the body's resistance. Thus, keeping the feet warm is particularly crucial.After Cold Dew, besides wearing warm shoes and socks, develop the habit of washing your feet with hot water before bed. Hot foot soaks not only help prevent respiratory infections but also dilate blood vessels, accelerate blood flow, improve skin and tissue nutrition in the feet, reduce lower limb soreness, and alleviate or eliminate daily fatigue.
Cold Dew Season Lifestyle and Diet
(1) Diet
Dietary health should be based on balancing the five flavors. According to individual needs, appropriately increase intake of sweet and mildly moisturizing foods. This nourishes the spleen and stomach while also moisturizing the lungs and intestines, preventing symptoms like dry throat and mouth.Recommended fruits include pears, persimmons, and bananas; vegetables such as carrots, winter melon, lotus root, and white fungus; along with legumes, mushrooms, kelp, and laver. Breakfast should consist of warm foods, ideally hot medicinal congee. Both japonica and glutinous rice excel at strengthening the spleen and stomach while replenishing vital energy. Examples include sugarcane congee, solomon's seal congee, glehnia root congee, raw rehmannia congee, and polygonatum congee.Middle-aged and elderly individuals, as well as those with chronic conditions, should consume more red dates, lotus seeds, Chinese yam, duck, fish, and meat. (2) Daily Routine After Cold Dew, as temperatures continue to drop, colds become the most prevalent illness. When temperatures fall and the air dries, the pathogenicity of cold viruses increases.Many illnesses emerging at this time can threaten the lives of the elderly, with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases being the most critical concern. Additionally, conditions like stroke, recurrence of chronic bronchitis in the elderly, asthma flare-ups, and pneumonia also pose serious threats to the safety and well-being of the elderly.Statistics show that over 90% of elderly chronic bronchitis patients experience acute exacerbations after catching a cold. Therefore, comprehensive measures must be taken to actively prevent colds. During this eventful Cold Dew season, seniors should carefully plan their daily routines to safeguard their health. As is well known, ancient laborers divided the year into four seasons and twenty-four solar terms to better prepare for agricultural tasks.Before the founding of New China, people used the lunar calendar for timekeeping. So when does the traditional Cold Dew solar term fall in the Gregorian calendar for 2015? Let's take a look.
Clarification
Cold Dew: October 8, 2015.Around October 8th each year (October 8th–9th), when the sun reaches 195 degrees of the ecliptic, it marks the Cold Dew solar term. Cold Dew signifies that temperatures have dropped further since White Dew, with ground dew growing colder and nearing the point of frost formation. As recorded in the Collected Explanations of the Seventy-Two Solar Terms: "In the ninth month, dew grows cold and is about to freeze."
If White Dew signifies the transition from heat to coolness—where summer's warmth lingers and morning dew sparkles crystalline—Cold Dew heralds the shift from coolness to chill. Dewdrops now radiate icy brilliance, fulfilling the proverb: "Cold dew, cold dew, frost covers the ground."