Summer, with the increasing sunlight hours, people often overlook the importance of early bedtime, leading to staying up late, which is detrimental to health. The summer solstice marks the peak of yang energy, making it ideal to adjust daily routines, increase sleep to adapt to the longer days and shorter nights. The key to summer health lies in balancing the body’s yin and yang, recommending the habit of “midnight sleep”, meaning to sleep before 11 p.m. to nourish the body during the period of abundant yin energy (9 p.m. to 11 p.m.); taking a short nap at noon to enhance bodily functions during the period of abundant yang energy (11 a.m. to 1 p.m.).
According to traditional Chinese medicine, sleeping during the period of abundant yin energy is beneficial for the liver and gallbladder, missing this time may lead to skin issues and unhealthy complexion. Resting or meditating at noon helps maintain bodily balance. Following these routines not only improves sleep quality but also harmonizes yin and yang, promotes health, and combats suboptimal health conditions. In terms of diet, it is recommended to reduce sourness and increase bitterness in summer, consuming foods like lettuce, bitter gourd, fresh vegetables, and fruits to nourish the spleen and stomach, tonify the liver, and kidneys.
Moreover, summer is a good time for dietary therapy and health preservation. Trying out dishes like water chestnut and bamboo cane drink, as well as Atractylodes macrocephala and Poria cocos with crucian carp soup can clear heat, invigorate the spleen and stomach, providing additional nourishment. In conclusion, summer health maintenance requires proper scheduling of rest, diet, good sleep habits, and suitable meals to maintain the optimal condition of the body.
