Although it’s just the beginning of the minor heat, discussions about the Dog Days of Summer are heating up as much as the weather.
Terms like “burn fat,” “lose weight,” “eliminate dampness” are popping up one after another.
Have you noticed? When summer arrives, the most concerning topic for everyone is weight loss and slimming down, especially during the Dog Days of Summer, they are labeled on social media platforms as the “golden period for weight loss” or “the 40 fastest days to shed weight,” with methods like “sunbathing” being advocated by many as a means for health preservation and weight loss during the Dog Days.
Is “sunbathing” really effective?
Sunbathing fever during the Dog Days, does it really promote health?
Recently, the “zero-cost” health method – sunbathing, has gained popularity.
Many people are following the trend, bringing a mat, finding a flat spot, pairing it with a sun hat or an umbrella, then lying down directly to sunbathe.
Subsequently, the reporter consulted with Chief TCM Physician Shi Renchao, who has been practicing Chinese medicine for nearly 50 years.
There are many discussions on social media platforms about health preservation and weight loss during the Dog Days of Summer.
“Firstly, the Dog Days of Summer indeed form a special treatment period in Chinese medicine.” Shi Renchao stated, according to TCM theory, the Dog Days of Summer are when the natural world and human body’s Yang energy are at their peak, making it an ideal time to treat cold-related ailments effectively, such as chronic rhinitis, chronic bronchitis, gastric ulcers, chronic gastritis, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, etc.
With the increasing popularity of health preservation concepts, the Dog Days of Summer have transitioned from a period of “treating winter diseases in summer” to a time for health maintenance. Nowadays, many people visit Dr. Shi not to cure a specific illness, but for “preventive care.” “Sub-health conditions are quite common among modern people. Following the appropriate treatment schedule, I generally recommend tonifying the spleen, nourishing Yang, dispelling dampness, replenishing Qi, nourishing Yin, and relieving heat during the Dog Days of Summer.”
As a veteran TCM practitioner, Shi Renchao explained that sunbathing is meant to help promote the ascending and outward movement of the body’s Yang energy and was originally a health activity to prevent and treat diseases during winter.
Many individuals on social media platforms shared their experiences with sunbathing.
“Since winter has heavy cold and dampness, sunbathing can stimulate and enhance the body’s Yang energy, promoting the circulation of Qi and blood within the body.” He mentioned that during winter, the UV rays are not intense, making it suitable for sunbathing.
Of course, sunbathing can also be done during the Dog Days of Summer, but one must avoid direct sunlight. “I don’t recommend sunbathing between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.,” Shi Renchao advised. Moreover, attention should also be paid to the duration and frequency of sunbathing. “From the perspective of Chinese medicine, excessive sweating depletes the body’s Yang energy and bodily fluids. At this early stage of the Dog Days, sunbathing two to three times is sufficient. Additionally, precautions should be taken to prevent skin burns.”
Dr. Shi also emphasized that sunbathing and other such health activities cannot replace conventional medications. “If following the principle of ‘treating winter diseases in summer,’ I recommend options like applying herbal patches, acupuncture, and Chinese herbal medicine, such as decoctions, pills, and ointments.”
Does sunbathing aid in weight loss? How can one achieve healthy weight loss?
Recently, news of a “woman shedding 4 Jin in 10 days through sunbathing” went viral, garnering significant attention with over 200 million reads.
Topics related to weight loss through sunbathing trended online.
Can sunbathing help with weight loss? Regarding this, Shi Renchao’s response was, “It can aid in weight loss, but it requires a combination of diet, exercise, and other aspects; immediate results should not be expected solely from sunbathing.”
He mentioned that individuals who are overweight tend to indulge in sweets, fried foods, leading to spleen and stomach imbalances. Engaging in activities like sunbathing can indeed help dispel some dampness to a certain extent. However, “It’s unrealistic to expect fat to simply melt away by just sunbathing.”
“Keto diet,” “liquid diet,” “carb cycling diet”… with a quick search of terms like “weight loss” and “slimming down” on social media platforms, numerous methods emerge. Which method is truly the path to healthy weight loss?
“Weight loss should be pursued on the foundation of health.” As the Honorary Chairman of the Nutrition and Dietary Therapy Branch of the Zhejiang Provincial Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shi Renchao stated that extreme weight loss methods, while offering rapid slimming effects, are detrimental to health. “Avoiding staple foods, skipping dinner, and substituting main meals with fruits are all ill-advised.” Dr. Shi emphasized the necessity for the body to have robust Qi and blood circulation to prevent dampness from stagnating within the body, as it is crucial for overall well-being and vitality.
Considering obesity, TCM treatment serves to dispel dampness and harmonize bodily functions, engaging the body’s organs and facilitating robust circulation, ultimately aiding in establishing a healthy body state.
“Achieving healthy weight loss hinges on adjusting lifestyle habits. Behind weight loss lies the importance of cultivating good dietary habits and exercise routines.”
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