Summer Energy Battle: Escape the "Energy Killer Season" and Be Vibrant All Summer! - whole food diet for heart health

Summer Energy Battle: Escape the "Energy Killer Season" and Be Vibrant All Summer!Summer is here, with scorching sun and unbearable heat. This time of year not only makes people lose their appetite and feel fatigued, but it's also when our energy is most heavily depleted

Summer Energy Battle: Escape the "Energy Killer Season" and Be Vibrant All Summer!

Summer is here, with scorching sun and unbearable heat. This time of year not only makes people lose their appetite and feel fatigued, but it's also when our energy is most heavily depleted. Especially from the summer solstice to the dog days, a mere 60 days, our energy consumption can be three times that of normal!

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Energy is the foundation of human physiological activities, like the engine of a car, determining our energy levels, immunity, even our mood and appearance. Therefore, safeguarding our energy in the summer heat becomes paramount to our health.

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I. Summer Purgatory: Your Energy is Evaporating!

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Imagine standing in a giant steamer, with heat rising constantly, and your sweat pouring down like a waterfall. This is exactly how the summer solstice and the dog days make us feel. The high temperature and scorching heat make our bodies feel like they're in a giant steamer, continuously regulating body temperature and sweating profusely, and each drop of sweat takes away precious energy!

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Studies have shown that during the summer solstice and dog days, our sweat secretion increases by 40% compared to normal. Every 100ml of sweat contains energy equivalent to a small spoonful of honey! In other words, if you sweat 500ml a day, you're essentially wasting 5 spoonfuls of honey worth of energy.

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Besides sweat loss, in summer we also experience a decrease in appetite, reducing energy intake. Coupled with the stuffy environment that can make us feel listless, leading to poor sleep quality, further exacerbating energy depletion.

II. The Source of Energy: The Liver's Dual Role

To seize energy, we must mention a crucial organ: the liver. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the liver is considered the "commander" of energy. Its like a conductor, directing the operation of the bodys energy, determining our vitality, spirit, and energy levels.

The liver's influence on energy can be described as both "tyrant" and "protector":

• Tyrant: When the liver is damaged or dysfunctional, it leads to energy leakage, manifesting as easy fatigue, mood swings, insomnia, poor sleep, and weakened immunity.

• Protector: When the liver is healthy, it can effectively store and regulate energy, keeping us energetic, spirited, and resilient.

Emotions are key factors that affect liver function! Like a moody employee, when we're cheerful, our liver works efficiently, and our energy is abundant; but when we're anxious, angry, or depressed, the liver goes on strike, leading to energy leakage.

III. Summer Energy Defense: Unveiling the Secrets of Unique Strategies

To protect our energy throughout the summer, we need to take a series of measures, launching an "Energy Defense War!"

1. Liver Meridian Massage Technique:

Spend 5 minutes each morning and evening gently massaging along the liver meridian. Starting from the base of the thumb, follow the outside of the index, middle, ring fingers, extending to the shoulder, and finally reaching the sides of the neck.

2. Farting and Burping: Natural Ways to Eliminate Toxins

Don't underestimate these two "little actions" of farting and burping. They are natural ways to eliminate toxins from the body, helping us maintain smooth energy flow and facilitate energy circulation.

3. The "Dan Zhong" () Point: Unblocking Qi and Blood, Boosting Energy

The "Dan Zhong" point is located in the midline of the sternum, between the two nipples. Gently scraping this point with a tiger talisman copper scraper can unblock Qi and blood, boosting energy levels.

4. Moxibustion: Warming Yang, Dispelling Cold, Supplementing Qi and Blood

Moxibustion is a traditional Chinese external treatment method that uses the heat generated from burning mugwort to stimulate acupoints, achieving the effects of warming Yang, dispelling cold, supplementing Qi and blood, and harmonizing Qi and blood.

IV. Dietary Revolution: Bitter and Sour Encounter, Legumes Reign Supreme

Summer dietary principles: bitter taste clears heat, sour taste stimulates appetite, legumes strengthen the spleen.

1. Bitter is the King: Bitter melon, lotus seed, bitter tea, and other bitter foods have the effect of clearing heat, detoxifying, reducing heat, and relieving summer heat in summer.

2. Sour Aids the Battle: Hawthorn, tomato, prunus mume, and other sour foods can stimulate appetite and promote digestion, aid in digestion and absorption, and also strengthen the surface, enhancing the body's resistance.

3. Legumes Dominate: Black beans, mung beans, soybeans, and other legumes are rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals, which can strengthen the spleen, remove dampness, and replenish energy.

V. Decrypting the Forbidden: Intercourse, Staying Up Late, and the Terrible Truth About Idle Talk

Beyond health-preserving methods, we also need to be aware of some taboos to avoid excessive energy depletion.

1. Limit Intercourse: The ancient people referred to the fifth lunar month as the "toxic fifth month," believing that intercourse should be prohibited during this time. Summer inherently makes it easier for energy to leak out, and excessive intercourse further depletes kidney essence, leading to Yin-Yang imbalance.

2. Avoid Staying Up Late: Staying up late is the biggest energy killer! Studies have shown that staying up late for one hour is equivalent to overdrawing 25% of the next days energy.

3. Reduce Idle Talk: Talking too much hurts energy! When we speak, we deplete not just physical strength but also our vitality and spirit. Therefore, try to avoid meaningless chitchat and reserve energy for more meaningful things.

VI. Dance with Energy, Ride the Summer Wave

The summer solstice and dog days are indeed peak periods for energy depletion, but as long as we understand the principles of nurturing energy, we can maintain vitality and energy in this hot season.

• Stick to a balanced diet, consuming more bitter, sour, and legume-based foods.

• Engage in moderate exercise, choosing gentle forms like walking, yoga, etc.

• Get sufficient sleep, ensuring at least 7 hours of sleep daily.

• Maintain a calm state of mind, avoiding anxiety, anger, and other negative emotions.

Remember, energy is the cornerstone of health and our weapon to conquer the summer heat! Let's act together, safeguard our energy, and be vibrant all summer!

[Disclaimer]: This article is for health science reference only and does not constitute any medical advice. Please consult a doctor for professional health guidance.

[Author's Note]: This article is based on Traditional Chinese Medicine theory and modern research findings, aiming to provide health preservation suggestions for readers. If there are any copyright issues, please contact the author for handling.