A new term has been widely spreading on social media recently—the “crispy youngster.” This term refers to young people aged between 18 and 25 who, despite being in the prime of their lives and full of vitality, are prone to injuries. Examples include herniated discs from sneezing or nasal artery ruptures from holding back laughter, making their 20-year-old bodies seem like those of 60-year-olds.
The “crispiness” issues faced by young people can be seen as a “modern disease.” The fast-paced modern lifestyle, immense work pressure, and lack of health awareness all contribute to this situation. Prolonged sitting in offices leading to stiff shoulders and necks, irregular eating and sleeping patterns, and anxious minds significantly impact young people's physical and mental well-being.
Aware of their “crispiness,” these young people are seeking ways to become stronger. As a result, health preservation is no longer exclusive to middle-aged and older adults; “New Chinese Health Preservation” is gradually becoming a trend among the younger generation.
Recently, strong cold air swept through the south, causing a sharp drop in temperatures, signaling the arrival of winter. The freezing winter months are considered the “golden season” for health preservation. Let's follow Jing Bao to learn some health preservation secrets:
Three Principles of Winter Health Preservation
1. Nourish the Spirit—Go to Bed Early, Rise Late, and Cultivate Tranquility
In winter, health preservation should focus on going to bed early and rising late, with an emphasis on “storage.” Do not easily disturb yang energy and avoid excessive worries, labor, or agitation of the mind.
However, due to the cold weather, sleep quality may be affected. If possible, taking a moderate nap during the day is recommended, which has significant effects in preventing coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction, and other heart diseases.
2. Nourish the Kidneys—Eat Less Salty Foods, More Bitter Foods
In the cold winter, pay attention to health preservation and, in terms of diet, eat less salty foods and more bitter ones.
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) theory, winter is the peak time for the kidneys, which correspond to salty flavors, while the heart corresponds to bitter flavors. From the perspective of the Five Elements, salty flavors restrain bitter flavors, and kidney water restrains heart fire. If too many salty foods are consumed in winter, it will further enhance kidney water, weakening the heart yang. Therefore, eating more bitter foods in winter helps strengthen heart yang and resist excessively active kidney water.
3. Nourish the Spleen and Stomach—Eat Fewer Cold Foods, More Warm Foods
In the cold winter, gastrointestinal diseases are prone to recur, and with frequent year-end gatherings, improper eating can easily cause gastrointestinal discomfort. Winter health preservation should focus on warming the stomach and dispelling cold.
From a TCM perspective, winter is a period of “declining yang qi and growing yin qi.” With low temperatures, if proper warmth is not maintained, cold pathogens can easily invade the gastrointestinal tract, causing gastrointestinal diseases. According to the TCM principle of “supplementing the deficient and warming the cold,” using warming nourishing congee is suitable for dietary supplementation. One should consume more warm and hot foods in meals to improve the body's cold resistance.
According to ancient wisdom, winter is the best time for tonification, and food supplementation can help resist the cold and replenish vital energy. The health preservation experiences proposed in “The Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon” such as “nourishing yin in autumn and winter,” “not disturbing yang,” and “supplementing the deficient and warming the cold” are worth our reference and learning.
Today, Jing Bao recommends several high-quality ingredients for winter tonification,
Using food therapy methods for tonification,
Is both simple and effective, promoting health and well-being ↓↓↓
