Spring is a good time for health preservation, ensuring an adequate amount of sleep is particularly important for regulating the body and preventing diseases. The ancient classic “Plain Questions · Great Treatise on Regulating the Spirit in the Four Seasons” suggests that in spring, we should “go to bed early and rise early,” take a morning walk in the courtyard, let down our hair, loosen our clothes, in order to promote the natural ascent of liver qi.
In spring, excessive liver fire may affect spleen and stomach functions, leading to emotional fluctuations, poor circulation of qi and blood, thus causing various diseases. In response to this situation, aside from outdoor activities to relieve psychological pressure, massaging key acupuncture points can also effectively soothe the liver and relieve depression:
1. The Taixi point is located at the junction of the big toe and the second toe on the foot, which can help disperse heart fire, alleviate common spring symptoms such as toothache and oral ulcers.
2. The Taichong point is located at the end where the big toe and the second toe bones meet on the top of the foot, massaging this point can eliminate liver qi stagnation and release pent-up gas in the body. The correct method is to massage from the Taichong point towards the Taixi point.
3. The Yanglingquan point has a significant effect on soothing the liver and nourishing the liver, located on the outside of the calf, in the depression below the head of the fibula. Regular massage can clear and benefit the liver and gallbladder damp heat, maintaining the health of the liver and gallbladder.
In spring health preservation, attention should also be paid to protecting yang qi, maintaining emotional balance, avoiding excessive anger or depression, as Chinese medicine believes that the liver is closely related to emotions, it is appropriate to regulate rather than suppress emotions.
In daily life, although spring is warm, the weather is changeable, adjust clothing in a timely manner, adhere to early bedtime and early rising, engage in moderate outdoor activities to enhance physical fitness.
In terms of diet, it is advisable to choose foods that nourish yang qi, reduce the intake of acidic foods, eat more sweet foods such as fresh vegetables, consume moderate amounts of spicy foods to promote the circulation of qi and blood.
For exercise, light to moderate activities are recommended, such as walking, jogging, tai chi, to avoid excessive consumption of yang qi caused by vigorous exercise.
In conclusion, spring health preservation focuses on nourishing the liver, through a balanced diet, moderate exercise, a positive mindset, and targeted acupressure massage, one can effectively promote physical and mental health and enjoy the beauty of spring.
