On January 20th, we welcome the Great Cold solar term. This is the sixth solar term of winter and the last of the twenty-four solar terms. Liu Mengchao, Deputy Chief Physician of the Nephrology Department at Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine affiliated with Capital Medical University, introduced that at this time, the world is closed, the cold is deep, the wind and frost are cold, but the cold is extremely strong and the yang energy is rising - in the coldest season, the yang energy has begun to quietly sprout. Therefore, the key to maintaining good health during the Great Cold period lies in "stability" and "protection": stabilizing daily routines and emotions, protecting the body's positive energy and warmth, calming the mind, reducing fatigue, and building a foundation for the generation of spring yang energy. Liu Mengchao introduced that in daily life, ancient people advocated "lying down early and getting up late, waiting for sunlight". At this time, it is most important to avoid being greedy for early morning and staying up late, and to allow the Yang energy to fully converge; Soak your feet in warm water before bedtime until slightly warm, then dry them and keep them warm in time to improve sleep quality. In terms of diet, it should be warm, balanced, and 70% full. A bowl of hot Congee in the morning is the most nutritious food. Millet, yam, lotus seed, Euryale fruit and other ingredients can strengthen the spleen and warm the body; The main meal can be paired with seasonal vegetables such as cabbage and radish, which are clear and moist without phlegm or dampness. If you need to take tonics, you should avoid eating large amounts of fish and meat every day or consuming too many spicy and hot foods, otherwise it is easy to cause internal heat, dry mouth, and affect sleep. In terms of emotions, there are many things to do at the end of the year, so it is important to avoid impatience and overwork. For the sake of the body, speaking slowly, walking steadily, and avoiding momentary tension, a peaceful state of mind leads to smooth blood flow. Before and after the Great Cold, colds and coughs are more common. Liu Mengchao reminded that if you get cold at the beginning, you can warm your body with hot Congee and hot soup, such as onion white ginger soup, ginger jujube soup, etc., to help dispel the cold and dissolve the exterior. But if symptoms such as persistent high fever, obvious sore throat, yellow and sticky phlegm cough, or shortness of breath and chest tightness occur, medical attention should be sought in a timely manner and should not be delayed. Low temperature weather can also cause elevated blood pressure and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular risks. ”Liu Mengchao said that the key to maintaining cardiovascular and cerebrovascular health lies in "stability": after waking up, lie in bed for a moment, then sit up and take a break, and then get out of bed; Before going out, move your hands and feet, rub your ears and stretch your waist to warm up your body before moving; Exercise within your capacity and avoid brisk walking or vigorous climbing in the wind; At the same time, it is essential to adhere to regular medication and monitoring. If you experience chest pain, shortness of breath, excessive sweating, or abnormal speech or body language, seek medical attention immediately. In addition, wind and cold can easily cause joint stiffness and back pain. Liu Mengchao introduced that traditional Chinese medicine believes that "if there is no communication, it will cause pain". At this time, warming should be the main method: pay attention to keeping the waist and knees warm, and can be combined with hot compress; It is advisable to exercise slowly, such as walking, stretching, and doing eight dan brocade, with a slight sweating as the limit. Sweating too much can actually be susceptible to cold pathogens. Experts say that the Great Cold is the last solar term of winter, during which one can calm their body and mind, accumulate yang energy, and follow the natural rhythm to smoothly welcome the new spring. (New Society)