24 Solar Terms -" Summer Solstice "

The saying goes, "In summer solstice, moderation is needed; in winter solstice, abstinence is necessary." This is because the two solstices mark the periods of growth and decline of yin and yang, making them the best times for careful maintenance of health to preserve vitality. Any carelessness can result in either damage to yin or injury to yang. During the summer solstice, yang energy reaches its peak while yin energy begins to emerge, so health maintenance should focus on protecting yang energy and fostering growth.

1. Summer Solstice Sleep – Go to Bed Late, Get Up Early, and Nap

During the summer solstice, daily routines should adapt to the natural increase of yang energy and decrease of yin energy. It's advisable to go to bed late and get up early, aiming for around 7 hours of sleep each day. Napping is an important health practice in summer as it compensates for insufficient night sleep and meets the body's physiological needs. However, naps should not be too long, generally between 30 and 60 minutes. Regardless of the heat, avoid exposing your body and cover your abdomen with a towel or light blanket to prevent catching a cold.

2. Summer Solstice Diet – More Sour and Salty, Less Greasy

During the summer solstice, heart energy is strong while liver and kidney energy are weak. Sour and salty foods can nourish the liver and kidneys, supporting the yin of these organs. Sour foods also have an astringent effect, which can stop sweating and consolidate heart energy, such as hawthorn, black plum, tomatoes, lemons, and citrus fruits. Since people sweat more during the summer solstice, which leads to a loss of salt from the body, eating salty foods like seaweed, nori, and shrimp can replenish the lost salt. Additionally, maintain a light diet, avoid rich and greasy foods, and eat more foods like mung beans, coix seeds, millet, and duck meat to prevent summer fatigue.

3. Summer Solstice Living Environment – Ensure Ventilation and Avoid Dampness

In summer, the body is prone to wind-cold-dampness invasion due to open pores. Avoid sleeping with an electric fan blowing directly and keep the temperature difference between indoor and outdoor environments within 7°C when using air conditioning. Never sleep outside at night. Take a warm bath daily to keep the skin clean and cool, prevent diseases, and exercise the body. The water pressure and mechanical massage effect of warm baths can relieve fatigue, improve sleep, and enhance immunity.

4. Summer Solstice Exercise – Gentle and Comfortable with Low Intensity

During the summer solstice, yang energy is at its peak and yin energy is just beginning. Moderate exercise can support the rise of yang energy and ensure smooth circulation of qi and blood. Excessive exercise, however, can lead to excessive sweating, which depletes both yang and yin energy, hindering the nurturing of emerging yin energy. Therefore, exercise during the summer solstice should be approached carefully. The best times for exercise are early morning or evening when it's cooler. Suitable forms of exercise include walking, jogging, and Tai Chi. Exercise intensity and frequency should be slightly lower than in spring and autumn.

Summer Solstice Health Tips

1. Foot Soaking to Remove Dampness

Ancient wisdom states, "Long summers often cause dampness-related diseases." During the summer solstice, soak your feet in hot water for 20 minutes before bed to induce light sweating. This helps stimulate foot meridians, strengthening the spleen, dispelling dampness, promoting fluid metabolism, and relieving fatigue.

2. Moxibustion to Boost Yang Energy

During the summer solstice, both yin and yang energies are low, creating an "external heat, internal cold" condition, making it an ideal time to support yang and dispel cold. Moxibustion on the Ren and Du meridians can stimulate yang energy, regulate qi and blood, and replenish vital energy. For the Du meridian: use moxibustion on Dazhui, Zhiyang, and Mingmen points. For the Ren meridian: use moxibustion on Tanzhong, Guanyuan, Shenque, and Jueyin points, with each point being treated for 20-30 minutes. Before moxibustion, drink lightly salted warm water to prevent excessive sweating and fatigue. After moxibustion, rest quietly with eyes closed for 15 minutes to stabilize qi and blood.

3. Heart Nourishment Through Massage

Pressing the Jiquan Point

Location: With the arm extended outward, it's in the center of the armpit, at the pulse.

Technique: Use the thumb to press the Jiquan point for 2-3 minutes until you feel a slight soreness.

Effect: The Jiquan point belongs to the Heart Meridian of Hand-Shaoyin. Regularly massaging this point can warm and unblock heart yang and promote metabolism.

Rubbing the Qimen Point

Location: Sitting or lying down, find the second intercostal space below the nipple and press until you feel a soreness.

Technique: Use both thumbs to rub the Qimen point 36 times with moderate pressure.

Effect: The Qimen point is a major point on the Liver Meridian of Foot-Jueyin. Regularly massaging this point can soothe the liver, regulate qi, detoxify, and reduce heat.

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