Our ancestors long ago said: nurture the yang in spring and summer, nurture the yin in fall and winter. Yang energy is the essence of life; without it, life will come to an end.
Spring is a crucial season for health and wellness. With the rise of yang energy in spring, taking care to nurture this vitality lays the foundation for a healthy year. As described in the “Essential Questions Compilation”: “During spring and summer, yang energy is abundant externally but deficient internally; during autumn and winter, yin energy is abundant externally but deficient internally. Therefore, sages nurture yang in spring and summer, yin in autumn and winter, to follow the root and nurture it.” “Following the root” refers to nurturing kidney yang, as kidney yang is the foundation of the body’s yang energy. Therefore, it is essential to nurture kidney yang in spring.
Especially for men, “yang” represents their essence, emphasizing the need to nurture yang diligently and avoid activities that deplete this vital energy.
Activity depleting yang 1: Being impatient and prone to anger
If we observe centenarians and long-lived celebrities, although their lifestyles and dietary preferences differ, they share the common trait of having a good temper, being emotionally stable, and avoiding anger. When a person is angry, it depletes yang energy rapidly and significantly, causing harm to the spleen, stomach, liver, and kidneys, weakening spleen yang and kidney yang. To nurture vitality and longevity, it is crucial to control emotions, reduce anger, and maintain emotional stability.
Activity depleting yang 2: Being inactive and lazy
Physical activity is crucial for maintaining health, as the saying goes, “use it or lose it.” Prolonged inactivity slows down blood circulation, leading to toxin accumulation, hampering yang energy rise, and accelerating organ aging. Especially for middle-aged and elderly men, lack of exercise contributes to weight gain, accumulation of visceral fat, and the onset of various health issues. To nurture vitality and longevity, consistent exercise starting from a young age is essential. Thirty to sixty minutes of daily exercise enhances vitality, replenishes yang energy, and boosts work efficiency for professionals.
Activity depleting yang 3: Excessive smoking and drinking
Men in modern society often resort to smoking and drinking to cope with stress. Nicotine and alcohol directly harm the organs, especially the liver, spleen, lungs, and kidneys, depleting yang energy and predisposing individuals to chronic illnesses, leading to physical weakness and jaundice. Quitting smoking and drinking is imperative to maintain a healthy body with abundant yang energy, particularly avoiding simultaneous consumption, which intensifies toxin absorption.
Activity depleting yang 4: Indulging in excessive sensual pleasures
Intimate relationships are crucial for human beings, promoting physical and mental well-being. However, excessive indulgence depletes yang energy, especially for men embodying the essence of masculine energy. Overindulgence leads to significant yang energy depletion, harming the kidneys and affecting overall bodily functions. Traditional practices should be enjoyed occasionally to avoid overexertion, which harms kidney yang and may lead to psychological dependency.
Activity depleting yang 5: Prolonged sleep deprivation
“Lack of sleep during the night depletes yang energy; failure to rise in the morning stifles yang energy.” Staying up late is highly detrimental to yang energy. Many individuals who stay up late also tend to wake up late, compounding the harm to their bodies. Nighttime is when the body restrains yang energy and repairs organs; staying awake during this period depletes yang energy without replenishment, leading to various illnesses and, in severe cases, sudden death. Instances of sudden death among robust middle-aged individuals who stay up late should serve as a cautionary tale.
Activity depleting yang 6: Inappropriate exercise practices
“Exercise can nurture yang but also deplete it.” Exercise should be considered a harmonious activity, ideally performed during daylight hours. However, many individuals, due to work commitments, exercise at night. This practice awakens yang energy when it should be in a state of rest and renewal, resulting in excessive yang energy depletion. Therefore, according to ancient wisdom, exercise should refrain from disturbing sinew and bone at dusk and prior to dewfall. It is advisable for professionals to exercise for half an hour or an hour in the morning or evening, avoiding strenuous activities after 9 p.m., as it only depletes yang energy and harms the body.
