In recent times, a cost-free way of health preservation, “sunbathing,” has become popular. With a sun umbrella, a mat, and a flat ground, you can start immediately.
According to media reports, some individuals lost 4 catties after sunbathing for 10 days! Many netizens on social media have shared their experiences and insights on sunbathing. Many expressed feeling more energetic and less prone to cold hands and feet after sunbathing for a period of time.
During the summer season, this nearly zero-cost “health-preserving” method has attracted more and more people. This article will discuss sunbathing with everyone.
Is sunbathing good for you after all?
Some doctors believe that “moxibustion therapy” during the dog days is an excellent way to nourish yang. This therapy, with typical TCM characteristics, utilizes the hottest days of the year to apply moxibustion which warms the meridians, dispels cold, nourishes deficiency, and enhances yang. By stimulating the meridians and acupoints with warmth, it helps yang energy penetrate the meridians to dispel internal cold, achieving the goal of disease prevention and health preservation, particularly suitable for those with lingering lung or spleen issues.
“Sunbathing” is a trending alternative to moxibustion during the dog days.
Sunbathing, also known as “celestial moxibustion” in ancient times, is recommended in the Yellow Emperor’s Inner Canon for summer health preservation to “not be satiated with the sun,” meaning one should moderately sunbathe even in summer. Thus, sunbathing is actually suitable for most people, especially those with yang deficiency constitution who usually exhibit aversion to cold, wind, easy diarrhea, frequent colds, allergic rhinitis, or women with cold lower abdomen and easily painful menstruation, among others. Sunbathing during the dog days can stimulate the activity of qi and blood meridians and improve yang deficiency.
What is the correct posture for sunbathing?
1. Choice of time
It is recommended to choose the first day of the beginning dog days (July 15 – 24), middle dog days (July 25 – August 13), and ending dog days (August 14 – 23), but other times during the dog days are also suitable.
Due to the intense summer sunlight, it is advised to sunbathe during the period when yang energy flourishes, i.e., from 7 to 9 in the morning (early time) or after 4 p.m. of the afternoon. Of course, the timing should be based on personal tolerance and the intensity of sunlight. It is recommended for the elderly and those with weak constitution to sunbathe earlier (gentler sun).
2. Which body parts to sunbathe
During sunbathing, men can remove their tops, while women can choose a small tank top or crop top. The back has acupoints corresponding to the internal organs; thus, it is recommended to expose as much of the back skin as possible to directly receive the sunlight’s nurturing.
Avoid sunbathing your head as Chinese medicine views the head as the meeting point of all yang energies, the most vigorous part of the body in terms of yang energy, so excessive exposure is harmful. It is advisable to use an umbrella or a hat to cover the head.
3. Duration of sunbathing
Do not sunbathe for too long as it can lead to heatstroke! A slight sweat is sufficient. For the elderly, whose ability to synthesize and utilize vitamin D is reduced, the time can be extended appropriately.
For first-time sunbathers, start with 10 to 20 minutes to gauge your body’s tolerance. If you feel comfortable and can handle it, you can gradually increase the time in moderation.
4. Precautions after sunbathing
After sunbathing, when pores are open, it is best to change into dry clothes in a shaded and cool area to avoid directly exposing yourself to air conditioning or drinking cold beverages. Wait for the body temperature to slowly return to normal.
Who can benefit from sunbathing more?
Doctors suggest that sun exposure aids in blood circulation, balances yin and yang, boosts the body’s immunity, and improves metabolism. The sunlight during the dog days is the best time for yang enhancement and pathogen expulsion. The following groups of people can benefit from sun exposure:
– Individuals with chronic illnesses, such as metabolic syndrome, depression, Alzheimer’s disease, allergic cough, rhinitis, pharyngitis, dysmenorrhea, gynecological chronic inflammation, benefit from sweating in the dog days to invigorate qi, warm yang, dispel cold, promote meridian circulation, and prevent diseases common in winter.
– People with suboptimal health, such as poor gastrointestinal function, prone to colds, sensitive to temperature changes, low physical activity, high stress, can benefit from sun exposure during the dog days to enhance the body’s self-regulation capability, particularly regarding temperature regulation and autonomic nervous system.
– Individuals with yang deficiency and dampness accumulation, like cold aversion, limb coldness, body fatigue, mental exhaustion, signs of thick tongue coating and impressions, indicating yang deficiency and dampness accumulation, can choose sun exposure during the dog days to stimulate the activity of qi, blood, and meridians, improve yang deficiency, and dampness constitution.
Those at risk from sunbathing include those with hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, coronary heart disease, chronic basic diseases, UV allergy, pregnant women, etc. It is not recommended to sunbathe without professional medical guidance!
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Source: Health Anhui
Editor: XY
Reviewer: Wu Tao
Final approval: Wang Yuan
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