With the advent of summer, the scorching sun and unbearable heat make us have to seek a cool place indoors. However, staying indoors for a long time will also face some health problems, such as air conditioning sickness, insomnia, spleen and stomach disharmony, etc. As an experienced veteran TCM practitioner, I will combine TCM theories to provide you with 10 cooling tips to make your home more comfortable and stay healthy at the same time.
First, use air conditioning reasonably. Although the air conditioner can bring coolness to people, it is easy to cause air conditioning sickness by blowing the air conditioner directly for a long time. According to the theory of traditional Chinese medicine, prolonged exposure to cold wind can easily lead to poor qi and symptoms of cold and dampness, such as cold limbs and diarrhea. Therefore, when using the air conditioner, it should be moderate, do not over-refrigerate, and at the same time pay attention to properly strengthening the physique to improve the body's resistance.
Second, maintain ventilation. The indoor air can be a bit stuffy at times, so it is necessary to open the windows for ventilation. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that indoor air circulation can easily lead to the accumulation of moisture, which can lead to various health problems. Therefore, you can choose to open the windows for ventilation in the early morning and late afternoon, and use the natural breeze to remove moisture from the room.
Third, drink mung bean soup. Mung bean soup has the effect of clearing heat, detoxifying and dissipating dampness, and is suitable for drinking in summer. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that the human body is susceptible to dampness in summer, and mung bean soup can dispel dampness, clear away heat and detoxify, and help prevent the occurrence of heat stroke and fever. You can add an appropriate amount of rock sugar to mung beans after cooking, put them in the refrigerator and drink them, which can not only quench your thirst, but also nourish yin and reduce fire.
Fourth, drink more chrysanthemum tea. Chrysanthemum tea has the effect of clearing heat and detoxifying, dissipating heat and refreshing. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that chrysanthemums have the effect of clearing heat and reducing blood pressure, and are suitable for use in summer. Chrysanthemums can be brewed into tea with hot water, and then an appropriate amount of rock sugar is added, which is both delicious and relieves the heat.
Fifth, eat bitter gourd in moderation. Bitter gourd has the effect of clearing heat, detoxifying and reducing fire. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that bitter gourd can clear away heat and reduce the degree of heat in the body. Bitter gourd can be eaten in moderation in summer, which can not only quench your thirst, but also help reduce moisture in your body.
Sixth, acupressure. There are many acupuncture points in TCM theory that can be used to tone the body and help eliminate dampness. For example, the Zusanli acupuncture point, located on the front side of the calf, is the highest point of the calf when the knee is bent. Massaging this acupuncture point can clear away heat and dampness, and regulate the spleen and stomach. At home, this acupuncture point can be massaged to relieve the discomfort caused by moisture.
Seventh, do outdoor exercise in moderation. Moderate outdoor exercise can promote blood circulation, regulate body temperature, and help the body expel excess moisture. You can choose to do outdoor sports early in the morning or late in the evening to avoid sun exposure.
Eighth, avoid using the computer for long periods of time. Prolonged computer use can strain your eyes and potentially lead to insomnia. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that in summer, the eyes are connected with the heart, and the heart is hot, which can easily affect the rest at night. Therefore, it is necessary to control the time spent on the eyes in an appropriate amount to avoid causing damage to the eyes.
Ninth, keep a good mood. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that a good mood can regulate the body's yin and yang balance and help eliminate dampness. To keep a good mood in summer, you can participate in some favorite activities, gather with friends, listen to **, etc., so that you can keep your mood comfortable.
Tenth, arrange your diet reasonably. In summer, the diet should be light and cool, and avoid spicy and irritating foods. You can eat more cool ingredients, such as cucumbers, watermelon, strawberries, etc. In addition, chilled food should be used in moderation to avoid damage to the spleen and stomach.
In short, indoor health in summer requires us to make reasonable use of traditional Chinese medicine theory and experience, combined with modern science, and take some small measures to make our home more cool and comfortable. We hope you find these 10 cooling tips helpful for a healthy and comfortable summer.
Health References:
1.Chinese Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Diagnostics of Traditional Chinese Medicine[M].Health Press, 2003