Chushu (Start of Autumn): Avoid These Taboos to Stay Healthy During the Remaining Heat

Chushu (Start of Autumn): Avoid These Taboos to Stay Healthy During the Remaining HeatChushu is the solar term marking the transition from summer to autumn. While temperatures may decline, it remains one of the hottest periods of the year

Chushu (Start of Autumn): Avoid These Taboos to Stay Healthy During the Remaining Heat

Chushu is the solar term marking the transition from summer to autumn. While temperatures may decline, it remains one of the hottest periods of the year. Though some regions experience a "cool autumn," experts point out that this is not universal. In some areas, like high-altitude regions in the northwest and the Tibetan Plateau, temperatures may even rise after Chushu, a phenomenon known as "Bai Lu warms, Han Lu warms."

After Chushu, the weather gradually cools down, making it feel comfortable. However, we should not take this for granted, as the changing weather can still make people susceptible to colds and illnesses. Therefore, during this period, we should pay attention to certain things and avoid certain foods to ensure good health.

Things to Avoid During Chushu

1. Irregular Sleep Schedule

From adolescence to adulthood, many people gradually abandon the good habit of waking up early and going to bed early. However, the harm caused by irregular sleep schedules is not to be underestimated.

Irregular sleep schedules refer to inconsistent bedtimes and wake-up times. Some people, even with good intentions, struggle to wake up early. They go to bed at 12 am and wake up at 7 am. Others might even go to bed at 3 am or 4 am and wake up at 11 am or 12 pm.

Irregular sleep schedules can cause the following harm to the body:

• Disrupted Biological Clock: The biological clock within our bodies controls essential physiological functions like sleep, wakefulness, and hormone secretion. Long-term irregular sleep schedules can severely disrupt the biological clock, interfering with the normal operation of bodily functions.

• Increased Risk of Mental Illness: People who consistently go to bed before 11 pm and wake up before 6 am are more likely to experience mental illnesses like depression.

The proverb "early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise" holds deep meaning. Maintaining a regular sleep schedule, especially going to bed early and waking up early, can significantly enhance the body's immune system.

Many people hold the misconception that as long as they get enough sleep, it doesn't matter when they sleep. In reality, our bodies should start resting between 11 pm and 1 am. The most alert times for humans are between 9 am to 12 pm and 3 pm to 7 pm. During these periods, we are most likely to feel drowsy, and our energy levels gradually decline after 7 pm. Therefore, we should avoid staying up late regularly.

Ideally, we should rest between 11 pm and 1 am. Even if we cannot fall asleep on time, we should try to go to bed before 12 am. Aim to go to sleep between 11 pm and 1 am. If work obligations make this impossible, ensure you get a sufficient amount of sleepat least 8 hours. By doing so consistently, we can maintain a healthy body.

2. Skipping Exercise

Exercising is the best way to keep warm in winter and cool down in summer. Many people avoid exercise during the summer due to the intense sun. Indeed, high temperatures can make us feel extremely hot, uncomfortable, and even damage our skin.

Before the arrival of deep autumn, sunlight still contains strong ultraviolet rays, making us feel humid and susceptible to heatstroke. Another characteristic is the significant temperature differencedaytime highs around 36 degrees Celsius, with nighttime lows around 20 degrees Celsius, resulting in a diurnal temperature range of about 20 degrees. This drastic variation can cause sweat evaporation, leading to easy colds, fevers, and other issues. Therefore, it is essential to exercise during this time.

After the Chushu solar term, the weather turns cooler, making exercising more comfortable. Adapting to the environment through exercise is one of humanity's strengths. We can use external temperatures to adapt our bodies to the surrounding environment. If it's cool outside, let our internal bodies feel warm. So, get out there and exercise! Put everything else aside! Otherwise, you'll only be left sighing and lamenting in your old age!

3. Indulging in Cold, Hot, or Sweet Foods

Many people who love fermented foods are in their element during summer. They gather with friends for a hot pot meal during the summer. Many friends even enjoy adding skewers of grilled meat to the hot pot. However, what many people don't realize is that this can be very harmful to the body.

Summer sunlight emits strong ultraviolet radiation, making food prone to fermentation. In addition to avoiding food left out in the sun for extended periods, we must maintain a sense of well-being after consuming hot pot and grilled food. Hot pot is a spicy and stimulating food that can be irritating to the intestines. Also, many snack-loving friends enjoy sweets. However, in the high-temperature weather of summer, storing food in various ways can easily encourage bacterial growth and fermentation. Stomach aches and diarrhea are just one aspect of the problem. Enjoying delicious food is great, but we must pay attention to proper storage!

Many delicious snacks, such as French fries and cakes, are easily fermented and spoiled. They can be stored in the refrigerator for a maximum of 3 days, but ideally, they should be consumed within 2-3 hours for the best experience! Autumn brings cooler weather, but please don't indulge too much!

4. Drinking Cold Water and Beverages

Drinking water is the best way to cool down during hot weather. However, many people choose to drink ice water and cold beverages. Many friends believe that drinking natural mineral water is particularly good for our bodies. However, what if natural mineral water is as cold as ice? Natural spring water is best enjoyed at room temperature and pure. But when it's cold, only a few wealthy people are willing to drink it!

Ice water not only tastes refreshing but can also be too cold and hard, making it difficult to swallow. It often leads to stomachaches and other digestive issues. This is primarily because the coldness causes the gastrointestinal tract to experience pain, stimulating the nerves and triggering a series of subsequent reactions. So, drinking warm water in summer is perfectly fine, but consuming cold food, especially hard foods, is a risky practice!

Dietary Considerations During Chushu

The Chushu period coincides with the end of the dog days of summer, marking the transition into autumn. Many people remember that they should avoid eating hot foods during the dog days but assume it's okay to start eating them after Chushu. This is incorrect! Autumn follows the dog days, and it's the prelude to the "Three Nine" days, when we need to stay warm and avoid cold foods, as the surroundings are still hot.

However, autumn and winter bring another challenge: dryness! During dry weather, consuming rich, oily foods can significantly increase the risk of developing gastric ulcers and other diseases. Therefore, during dry weather, minimize oily and spicy foods, drink more soups to nourish the stomach, and drink tea to relieve dryness.

Keeping Family Members Healthy and Safe Through Autumn

Dress warmly and exercise regularly, but remember these three things: Avoid wearing thick, cotton clothing as it can feel heavy and suffocating. If you sweat and the clothes become damp, you can easily catch a cold. As autumn and winter approach, be mindful of preventing liver disease, avoid panic and fear, and take precautions against high blood pressure and other acute cardiovascular events. Maintaining a peaceful mind will always keep you healthy and happy!

Conclusion

Good morning, every day.