Since July, temperatures have remained high in many places, prompting many people to choose to hide inside and use air conditioning, while others have chosen to go outside under the sun for a “baking” experience.
Carrying a sunshade, a mat, finding a flat ground… Recently, many people have followed a trend of “0 yuan health maintenance” — sunbathing their backs.
The trend of sunbathing for health has become popular, with netizens sharing their experiences. Searching for “sunbathing” on social media platforms, one can see many netizens sharing insights and experiences.
A netizen from Foshan, Guangdong, mentioned that she has been persistently sunbathing on the rooftop lately, resulting in a weight loss of 4 jin in 10 days. She felt that her eyes became clearer after sunbathing, even though her skin darkened, she found it worthwhile.
However, some netizens pointed out that not everyone is suitable for “sunbathing.”
A reminder from netizens to guard against heatstroke and sunburn.
Doctors say that people with cold-weak constitutions can appropriately sunbathe. Does sunbathing truly have the miraculous effects as claimed online?
Zheng Yanhua, Deputy Chief Physician of the Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, explained from a TCM perspective that many meridians and acupuncture points are located on the back, sunbathing can regulate the body’s blood and qi. For those with cold-weak constitutions, excessive internal cold and dampness, frequent diarrhea, cold extremities, and fear of cold, sunbathing can help alleviate these conditions.
Xiao Zhi, Deputy Director and Chief Physician of the Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine at the Third Hospital of Changsha, said that sunbathing in summer can nourish yang energy. Regarding some of the mentioned effects online, Xiao Zhi believes that for people with cold-weak constitutions who are often afraid of cold, have pale complexion, irregular stools, loose stools, bloated face, and swollen limbs, sunbathing can enhance their physical condition and help supplement vitamin D.
However, Xiao Zhi reminds that all health maintenance and treatments should be carried out without harming oneself. The key consideration for sunbathing in summer is to avoid sunburn and heatstroke.
How to sunbathe correctly?
Doctors at the Shenzhen Luohu District Traditional Chinese Hospital recommend sunbathing preferably from 6 am to 9 am and from 4 pm to 6 pm, avoiding direct sun exposure at noon or in the afternoon. It is advisable to start with around 20 minutes for the first time, gradually increasing, usually not exceeding 30 minutes.
It is worth noting that individuals with UV allergies, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, coronary heart disease, pregnant women, and those who are fiery should not sunbathe.
