Five Things Middle-Aged and Elderly Individuals Should Know About Chushu Night: Health Tips to Avoid the "Unlucky Day"

Five Things Middle-Aged and Elderly Individuals Should Know About Chushu Night: Health Tips to Avoid the "Unlucky Day""Chushu without three days, the new coolness is worth a thousand gold." The Chushu solar term has arrived, and the summer heat gradually subsides, giving way to the coolness of autumn

Five Things Middle-Aged and Elderly Individuals Should Know About Chushu Night: Health Tips to Avoid the "Unlucky Day"

"Chushu without three days, the new coolness is worth a thousand gold." The Chushu solar term has arrived, and the summer heat gradually subsides, giving way to the coolness of autumn. In traditional Chinese folklore, Chushu is considered an "unlucky day," especially for middle-aged and elderly individuals who need to be extra cautious. While daytime activities are generally unrestricted, there are five things to keep in mind as night falls. Please note that this information is intended for entertainment and reference only, and should not be taken as superstitious belief!

Chushu, the fourteenth solar term in the Chinese calendar, marks the beginning of autumn's second month. As described in the "Monthly Ordinances of Seventy-Two Periods", "Chu" means "to stop", implying that Chushu is the time when the summer heat stops. The weather transitions from hot to cool. Traditionally, the energy of Chushu is believed to be unique, prone to attracting evil spirits, thus labeling it an "unlucky day". However, we should approach this belief scientifically and avoid excessive superstition. Nonetheless, from the perspective of health for middle-aged and elderly individuals, there are certain daily habits that need attention during Chushu, especially at night.

1. Be Mindful of Temperature Fluctuations and Prevent Colds

Chushu is the time when summer meets autumn. The climate shifts from hot to cool, with a growing temperature difference between day and night. While the sun still feels warm and the wind gentle during the day, a sense of "autumn's chill, night grows cold" descends as the sun sets. This time of year requires extra attention, especially for the elderly.

As we age, the body's regulatory functions weaken, leading to a diminished ability to adapt to temperature changes. As night falls, the chill sets in, and when venturing out for walks or other activities, it's crucial to add extra layers of clothing to prevent the intrusion of cold.

The ancient saying, "Don't expose your body in the White Dew, don't expose your feet in the Cold Dew," encapsulates the wisdom of ancient people's understanding of natural laws and the principles of health preservation. It reminds us of the importance of keeping warm during seasons with significant temperature fluctuations. During the White Dew period, while the day is warm, night brings noticeable chills, making it unsuitable to wear thin clothes as in summer. By the time of the Cold Dew, even the feet should be covered to prevent cold from entering the body. This ancient health concept remains relevant even in modern times.

Modern medicine also emphasizes the importance of maintaining a suitable body temperature for preventing colds and other respiratory illnesses. Particularly during seasonal transitions, the body's ability to adapt to temperature changes weakens, making it more susceptible to viruses. Besides adding layers, other important preventive measures include ensuring good ventilation indoors, maintaining a balanced diet, and strengthening the immune system. Traditional health methods like drinking ginger tea and soaking feet can also help enhance the body's ability to resist cold.

2. Moderate Eating Habits: Avoid Raw and Cold Foods

After Chushu, the autumn wind brings coolness, and the weather gradually turns cool. During this time, the body's digestive functions also adjust. Compared to the hot summer, the spleen and stomach are more delicate in autumn and need extra care. Middle-aged and elderly individuals should pay particular attention to dietary adjustments during this season, minimizing the intake of raw and cold foods during dinner.

The "Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine" states: "If one overeats, their intestines and stomach will be damaged." Raw and cold foods, though refreshing momentarily, can cause harm to the spleen and stomach if consumed regularly, hence the need for caution.

The proverb "eat duck during Chushu" is a popular tradition in China, rooted in deep health wisdom. Duck meat, known for its cooling properties, sweet taste, and ability to nourish yin, clear heat, and quench thirst, is perfectly suited to the dry climate of Chushu. "Bencao Gangmu" (Compendium of Materia Medica) records that duck meat can "fill the bone marrow, lengthen muscles, generate fluids and blood, and nourish the five organs". It's an ideal choice for nourishing yin and relieving dryness in autumn.

However, even with duck meat's many benefits, excessive consumption can lead to dampness and phlegm, negatively impacting health. Moderation is key when indulging in its deliciousness. Additionally, the cooking method for duck meat matters. Yuan Mei, a Qing Dynasty scholar, emphasized in "Suiyuan Food List": "Whatever is cooked must be accompanied by something to complement its taste. To ensure a perfect harmony, things that are light should be paired with light, thick with thick, soft with soft, and tough with tough." Duck meat preparation should prioritize lightness, avoiding excessive seasonings and fats to preserve its natural flavor and aid in digestion.

3. Moderate Exercise: Avoid Intense Activities

As night falls, silence reigns, offering a perfect time for relaxation and rest. For middle-aged and elderly individuals, moderate activity can loosen muscles and tendons, promote blood circulation. However, excessive exercise can burden the body.

The "Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine", a classic ancient medical text, states: "Sleep when the yang energy depletes, and awaken when the yin energy depletes." This not only reveals a rhythm of life but also reflects the ancient understanding of nighttime activities. It's best to stay calm, and any activities should be light and gentle.

The proverb "Walk a hundred steps after a meal, live to ninety-nine," emphasizes the benefits of moderate walks. Gentle exercises seperti Tai Chi, which regulate breath and calm the mind, are ideal choices for nighttime activities. They help to regulate breathing, calm the mind, and avoid excessive fatigue.

However, we must remember, "too much of anything is bad." Intense exercise at night can disrupt the body's natural rhythm, even posing unnecessary health risks. As an ancient saying goes, "A soaring dragon has regrets". Anything taken to the extreme will eventually lead to the opposite effect, and this applies to exercise as well.

A writer once penned: "Moderate exercise is the source of health, the lubricant of life." This modern interpretation reflects ancient wisdom and promotes healthy modern lifestyles.

4. Maintain Peace of Mind: Avoid Excitement

The autumn breeze brings a pleasant coolness, but it also carries a sense of dryness. As the season changes, it subtly alters people's emotions. During this time, middle-aged and elderly individuals must pay special attention to maintaining peace and tranquility at night, preventing their inner peace from being disturbed by external factors.

The "Suwen Yin Yang Ying Xiang Da Lun" (Plain Questions The Great Treatise of the Correspondence of Yin and Yang), an ancient medical classic, clearly advises: "Anger injures the liver, joy injures the heart, thinking injures the spleen, worry injures the lungs, and fear injures the kidneys." These concise words contain profound health wisdom.

Emotions are a double-edged sword, capable of making us dance with joy and destroy our health defenses in anger. As a popular saying goes: "Excessive anger harms the body, both body and mind will suffer." This aligns with ancient teachings, reminding us that excessive emotional fluctuations can damage various organs in the body.

In these autumn days, let us learn from the ancient wisdom of "a calm mind naturally brings coolness", not easily swayed by external fluctuations, and preserve our inner peace. On the long journey of life, maintaining a tranquil mind is the best vessel to navigate life's storms. In this season of harvest, we can reap not only health but also inner peace and composure.

5. Regular Sleep Schedule: Ensure Sufficient Sleep

After Chushu, the cool autumn wind arrives, signaling a great time to adjust our daily routines. Particularly for middle-aged and elderly individuals, it's crucial to ensure good sleep. Upholding the principle of "early to bed, early to rise" and aligning our biological clocks with nature's rhythm is vital.

Did you know that our ancestors have always said: "Work when the sun rises, rest when it sets"? This saying, now considered a golden rule of health preservation, embodies more than just a traditional lifestyle; it also reveals profound health philosophy.

Speaking of health preservation, we must mention the "Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine." It contains numerous proverbs about the relationship between sleep and health. For example, "Lie down when yang energy depletes, and awaken when yin energy depletes" suggests that people should sleep when yang energy is weak and wake up when yin energy is exhausted. This aligns perfectly with the modern science of biological clocks.

Let's also consider the poetry and prose of ancient literati, who often celebrated the wisdom of living in harmony with nature in their works. For example, Bai Juyi's "Chang Hen Ge" (Song of Everlasting Sorrow) writes: "The night is too short, the sun rises high, and the emperor no longer attends court early." While satirizing Emperor Xuanzong of Tang Dynasty, it subtly reflects the ancient emphasis on a regular sleep schedule.

Furthermore, the proverbs and sayings passed down by our ancestors reveal health wisdom. For instance, "Early to bed and early to rise makes a person healthy" is simple but emphasizes the importance of sleep for health.

Following nature's rhythm and maintaining a regular sleep schedule is not only wisdom