In recent days, the weather in most regions is no longer hot, and people can relax and enjoy the cool autumn.
However, there is a big gap in temperature in the morning and evening, and the air is also drier. All these factors can result in dry nose and mouth, a sore throat, dry cough and less phlegm, constipation, dry hair loss, hoarseness and other symptoms.
People are more susceptible to illness during the seasonal change from summer through autumn. So, here are some tips to keep you healthy and give you a comfortable transition to winter.
Food
Dos
Do eat moist food. According to traditional Chinese medicine, autumn corresponds to the lungs of the human body. Dryness is the most vulnerable in the lungs. The most convenient and easy way to nourish lungs in autumn is to drink more water. In addition, you can adopt the diet therapy of traditional Chinese medicine, eating some food with moisture, like pear, yam, sugar cane and duck meat.
Do have easily digested food. People’s spleen and stomach functions are weakened because of the raw and cold food they had during the long, hot summer. So in autumn, you should give your spleen and stomach a rest. For example, you can choose some nutritious food that is easy to digest to eat, such as fish, red bean, lotus root and kelp.
Do take vitamin supplements. Vitamins play an important role in the body’s immune system. The number and vitality of immune cells are related to vitamins when the body resists foreign invasion. It is recommended that you eat plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits rich in vitamin C, such as kiwi and oranges.
Don’ts
Don’t eat irritating food. In autumn, the resistance function of the human body will be significantly decreased, so people should pay attention to eating less irritating food, like spicy food and cold food, which could cause some ulcers and inflammation in the intestinal tract.
Don’t take too many tonics. Some people realize that their immune system is more vulnerable in autumn, so they choose to take tonics to keep fit. But too many tonics are burdens for the human body with excess nutrition.
Sleep
Sleep is an important means for people to restore their physical strength, ensure their health and enhance their immunity. The autumn climate is cool and the weather conditions for people to sleep are greatly improved, but the quality of sleep can be greatly affected by inappropriate attention.
Therefore, in autumn, it is suggested that you go to bed at 9 pm, or try to fall asleep before 11 o’clock. According to traditional Chinese medicine, autumn represents yin. Yang qi is the weakest and yin qi is the most abundant at Zishi (11 pm – 1 am). So if you sleep at that time, you can nourish yin, and get sleep of good quality.
People generally need about 8 hours a day to sleep, and those who are weak and patients should appropriately increase sleep time.
Exercise
To avoid getting tired at noon and stay energetic throughout the day in autumn, it is an ideal way to do two or three high-intensity exercises a week, with low-intensity fitness workouts, such as yoga, walking or weight-bearing training, several times. Even when you are not tired, you will feel comfortable if you stretch out a few lazy limbs.
