Though the Start of Spring solar term has passed, many neglect health maintenance afterward—a mistake. Timely wellness care is crucial both before and after this period, especially afterward. As all things awaken from dormancy post-Start of Spring, this includes bacteria and viruses. Neglecting health care leaves you vulnerable to their attacks, potentially leading to illness.Therefore, health preservation must continue after Jingzhe.
How to Preserve Health After Jingzhe
1. Dietary Focus: Nourish the Liver and Support the Spleen
Jingzhe marks the spring season, with ancient texts noting "spring governs the liver." This makes spring an ideal time for liver care. As spring brings the rise of yang energy, aligning with the season requires nourishing the liver and supporting the spleen.This requires women to maintain a cheerful disposition and avoid anger, as it can severely damage the liver.
Dietary choices should minimize highly stimulating, greasy, or allergenic foods like fried meats, chili peppers, eels, and shrimp. Appropriate tonic foods are also beneficial, such as quail soup, white fungus soup, or snake meat soup.Below is a recipe for Clear-Stewed Quail Soup:
A. Prepare 6 quails (ask the vendor to clean and prepare them), 4 slices of ginger, and 1 scallion.
B. Rinse the quails thoroughly, then cut them into small pieces and set aside.
C. Rinse the pot, add cooking oil, and heat until hot. Add the quail pieces and stir-fry. Note: Liquid will release during stir-frying—ignore it and continue stirring until the moisture evaporates.
D. Once the quail pieces turn slightly golden, add enough water to cover the ingredients. Bring to a boil, then transfer everything—meat and broth—into a clay pot. Add the ginger slices and washed scallion segments. Bring to a rolling boil over high heat, then reduce to low heat and simmer for about half an hour. Season with salt before serving.
2. Remember to bundle up when dressing
After the Start of Spring solar term, temperatures remain highly variable—still alternating between warm and cold spells. This makes dressing a challenge for many. Wearing too much leads to sweating when it heats up, while wearing too little leaves you unprepared when temperatures drop.Our tip: Layering is key. Avoid switching to thin springwear too soon—especially fashion-conscious women should minimize skirts. If wearing one, always pair it with thick thermal leggings.
The ideal approach is to layer a thin spring top under a thicker outer jacket for warmth.Once it warms up, you can shed the outer layer. Pants are generally preferable for women during this season, as frequent rainy days bring high humidity. Pants provide better protection against moisture seeping into your body.To combat this seasonal lethargy, establish a consistent sleep schedule and ensure adequate rest each night. This helps prevent spring fatigue, keeping you energized for daily life and work. Aim to sleep early and rise early—avoid lingering in bed until late morning.
Key Considerations for Spring Equinox Wellness
Beyond the wellness tips mentioned above, keep these precautions in mind during the Spring Equinox: Avoid exercising too early outdoors. If you wish to exercise for wellness, wait until the morning mist has dissipated before heading out. During this season, morning fog is often dense, and exercising too early can easily trigger respiratory issues.
Additionally, carefully manage your exercise duration. After months of inactivity during winter, abruptly resuming the same workout regimen at spring's onset can overwhelm your body. Gradually increase your exercise time instead.