Dahan(Great Cold) is the last of the twenty -four solar terms which falls on January 20. On the day, it means that the winter is approaching the end and the spring is coming. It is an important time for the conversion of Yin and Yang in the year.
At 24th Solar Term, both Xiaohan and Dahan are the solar term that represents the cold. Before Lichun(Beginning of Spring), the weather is extremely cold and low temperature continues. At this time, vitality is lurking and all things are hidden, and metabolism of Yin and Yang Qi within the body are relatively slow. Therefore, health preservation in winter should conform to concealing yang qi and hibernate to avoid the cold. In addition, it also need to make preparation for the birth of yang qi in the spring.
To sleep early and wake up late
In “Huangdi Neijing”, the ancient Chinese medicine classic, “If you don’t hide the essence in winter, you will be sick in the spring.” On the day of Dahan, it is necessary to follow the principle of health preservation in winter, that is to sleep early and wake up late, avoid strenuous exercise, over fatigue and excessive sex activities, or it will be prone to warm diseases in the spring.
To soak your feet in hot water before sleep
Before going to bed, soaking the feet in hot water can promote blood circulation in feet, improve sleep quality, and it also have a effect on resisting the cold and preventing diseases. Generally, the water temperature when soaking should be around 40 ~ 50 °C, and the time is about 10 minutes. During the process, hot water can be added to keep the temperature.
To eat food that dispel wind and cold
As the last solar among the 24 solar terms and connecting with next solar term Lichun(Beginning of Spring), the diets on Dahan are slightly different from that on XiaoHan. The proportion of supplements should gradually be decreased for responding to seasonal changes. In addition, foods that promote yang qi should be appropriately added to the supplement diet for raising of yang qi in the spring.
During Dahan, it is a period of high incidence of respiratory diseases, eating more foods that relieve exterior syndrome is recommended, such as perilla leaves, ginger, green onion, cinnamon, etc. It can help rise Yang Qi, prevent wind and cold invasion, and reduce the risk of external sensation.
