Seasonal health maintenance

Author: Zhang Heng
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-09-01
Features: Embrace the positive energy of the universe's yin and yang, promote the essence of Chinese health preservation! Spring corresponds to the liver for nourishing life, summer to the heart for nurturing growth, late summer to the spleen for cultivating transformation, autumn to the lungs for nurturing, and winter to the kidneys for nurturing storage. — Zhang Jingyue, a great Ming Dynasty medical scholar.
Spring gives birth, summer grows, autumn harvests, winter stores. The year is divided into four seasons, and each season has its own yin and yang. The five elements harmonize with the five flavors, coordinating the five organs to regulate the six bowels, replenishing essence and Qi, achieving harmony between humans and nature, adapting to the yin and yang of the four seasons, regulating the spirit, matching diet, harmonizing the environment, exercising the body and mind, and enjoying happiness and health.
Adapting to the yin and yang of the four seasons and balancing with the environment, you can live a relaxed and happy life.
In the first three months of spring, it is called "emergence." Heaven and earth are born, and all things flourish. Sleep late and rise early, take long walks in the courtyard, let your hair down and relax your body to invigorate your spirit. Give life, not take it; give freely, not deprive; reward, not punish. This is the response to the spring qi and the way of nourishing life.
In the first three months of summer, it is called "flourishing." Heaven and earth converge, and all things bloom and bear fruit. Sleep late and rise early, without tiring of the sun. Keep your mind calm and avoid anger, allowing the flowers to flourish and the Qi to be released. If you are outwardly focused, this is the response to the summer qi and the way of nurturing growth.
In the first three months of autumn, it is called "serenity." The qi of heaven becomes urgent, and the qi of the earth becomes clear. Sleep early and rise early, rising with the rooster. Calm your mind to mitigate the harshness of autumn, gather your spirit, and allow the autumn qi to be balanced. Do not let your mind wander outward, keep your lung qi clear, and this is the response to the autumn qi and the way of nurturing.
In the first three months of winter, it is called "storage." Water freezes, and the earth cracks. Do not disturb the yang. Sleep early and rise late, waiting for the sun's light. Let your mind be hidden and concealed, as if having private thoughts or having achieved something. Seek warmth and avoid cold, do not sweat excessively, and preserve your Qi to prevent it from being depleted. This is the response to the winter qi and the way of nurturing storage. — Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon·Suwen
Seasonal Health Series: Nourishing Life in Four Seasons, organized by the four seasons of "spring, summer, autumn, winter" and the 24 solar terms such as Lichun (Start of Spring), Yushui (Rain Water), Jingzhi (Awakening of Insects), and Chunfen (Spring Equinox), follows the philosophical concept of "harmony between humans and nature." It adheres to the traditional Chinese medical thinking of dividing the year into four seasons, each with its own yin and yang, and the five elements harmonizing with the five flavors to coordinate the five organs and regulate the six bowels. It elaborates in detail on aspects such as regulating the spirit, matching diet, harmonizing the environment, and exercising the body and mind, making it an advancement over the book Health in a Hundred Proverbs.
If Health in a Hundred Proverbs has strong popular value, then Seasonal Health is even more focused on improvement.
How to use Seasonal Health?
First, read it thoughtfully according to the time and individual circumstances, choose the good and follow it, and you will surely benefit.
Second, persevere, like water dripping on stone—through daily accumulation, you will surely achieve health.
Third, adapt to the seasons, harmonize body and mind, and eat appropriately for longevity.
Seasonal Health blends ancient Chinese culture, the essence of traditional Chinese medicine, and modern medicine, just like Health in a Hundred Proverbs. It upholds the fundamental principle of "prevention is better than cure" and "prevention first," and it will surely bring you a blessing of health!