The “Major Snow” solar term usually falls on December 7th each year (though in some years it may fall on the 6th or 8th). It occurs when the sun’s ecliptic longitude reaches 255 degrees. As the name suggests, Major Snow signifies heavy snowfall. Ancient people said, “Major means abundant; at this time, the snow is abundant.” During this period, snowfall is often heavy and widespread, hence the name Major Snow.
During the heavy snow season, it’s important to know how to “hide”.
During the Great Snow season, all things lie dormant, and health preservation should also follow the natural rhythms, focusing on the concept of “concealment.” In terms of daily life, it’s advisable to go to bed early and rise early, and to conserve one’s energy, especially in the south where it’s crucial to keep the lungs clear and protected from autumn dryness. Currently, there’s a significant temperature difference between day and night, so the elderly should be cautious in their daily routines, engage in appropriate exercise, and enhance their ability to adapt to climate changes. The current weather is characterized by dryness and low humidity. Furthermore, clothing should be added as the temperature drops, keeping warm and close to the body to prevent sweating and protect Yang energy from being depleted. Nighttime temperatures will be even lower, so extra layers of clothing should be worn while sleeping to keep the limbs warm and promote blood circulation. This can help prevent many illnesses, such as colds, bronchitis, bronchial asthma, and cerebral thrombosis.
In the process of using it, we should pay attention to two points:
1. Moderation is key to health: Moderation means finding the right balance. Neither too much nor too little. Excessive caution can lead to imbalances in health maintenance, leaving one feeling lost and helpless. Fearing to deplete one’s energy and spirit with even slight exertion, or staying indoors at the slightest change in temperature, or restricting one’s diet to avoid rich and greasy foods-all these behaviors stem from excessive restraint and not only harm health but also prevent one from living out their natural lifespan.
2. Avoid Excessive Nourishment: A balanced approach to health maintenance is essential. Some people equate “supplementation” with nourishment, emphasizing nutrition in their diet and prioritizing supplementation in every meal; they also prioritize comfort and quiet rest in their daily lives, often supplementing with tonifying medications. While dietary supplementation, medicinal supplementation, and quiet rest all fall within the scope of health preservation, excessive use can negatively impact health. Just as some people experience nutritional excess when they overuse dietary supplements.
Excessive rest and lack of activity can lead to an imbalance between activity and rest. Excessive medicinal supplementation can cause an imbalance of yin and yang, resulting in metabolic disorders and achieving the opposite of desired outcomes.
Therefore, when recuperating, one should adopt a combination of activity and rest, work and leisure, tonification and purgation, and nourishment of both body and spirit, striving to “…compete with Xianmen in longevity and compete with Wang Qiao in years of life.”
In addition, the weather is cold during the heavy snow season, so take precautions against catching a cold:
1. Cold water face bath
Wash your face with cold water every day. Scoop up a handful of water with your hands and wash your nostrils. Gently inhale a little water through your nostrils (be careful not to inhale too deeply to avoid choking) and then blow it out. Repeat this several times.
2. Gargle with salt water
Gargle with diluted salt water every morning and evening, and after meals, to remove bacteria from the mouth. During flu season, pay extra attention to gargling with salt water; tilting your head back and gargling to allow the salt water to thoroughly rinse the throat will enhance the effect.
3. Soak feet in hot water
Soak your feet in hot water (as hot as you can hardly stand) for 15 minutes every night. Make sure the water covers your feet completely. Your feet should turn red after soaking. This can help prevent colds.
4. Eating raw scallions
When eating raw scallions, you can heat oil and pour it over finely chopped scallions, then mix them with tofu or other cold dishes. This not only tastes good but can also help prevent colds.
5. Massage the nasolabial folds
Rub your hands together until your palms are warm, then massage the Yingxiang acupoint (located in the nasolabial groove, at the midpoint of the outer edge of the nose) more than ten times. This can help prevent colds and relieve nasal congestion after catching a cold.
6. Wash your hands frequently
Some viruses can survive for up to 3 hours on surfaces touched by infected individuals, so frequent handwashing can help prevent colds. Additionally, avoid developing bad habits like rubbing your nose or picking your nose, as this easily transfers viruses from your hands to the most vulnerable areas.
7. Drink plenty of water
Drinking plenty of water can help remove viruses from the body and prevent dehydration (a complication of the common cold).
8. Aerobic exercise
Engaging in 30-45 minutes of aerobic exercise daily, such as walking, cycling, or dancing, can greatly enhance the body’s ability to resist colds and prevent respiratory infectious diseases.
