On the Eve of the End of Summer Heat: Eat Right, Avoid Certain Foods, and Be Cautious: A Guide to Health in Autumn

On the Eve of the End of Summer Heat: Eat Right, Avoid Certain Foods, and Be Cautious: A Guide to Health in Autumn"The spring grass dream in the pond is not yet awake, but the autumn sound is already heard in the leaves of the osmanthus tree on the steps." Time flies by like a white horse crossing a gap, and tomorrow, August 22nd, the 19th day of the seventh lunar month, is the day before the end of the dog days

On the Eve of the End of Summer Heat: Eat Right, Avoid Certain Foods, and Be Cautious: A Guide to Health in Autumn

"The spring grass dream in the pond is not yet awake, but the autumn sound is already heard in the leaves of the osmanthus tree on the steps." Time flies by like a white horse crossing a gap, and tomorrow, August 22nd, the 19th day of the seventh lunar month, is the day before the end of the dog days. After the end of the dog days, although the scorching heat of summer gradually subsides, the change in climate is not instantaneous. The coastal areas of the south may still be affected by the "Autumn Tiger," while some parts of the north may experience the coolness of early autumn sooner.

Tomorrow, August 22nd, coincides with the solar term "Chushu," which is only one day away from the end of the dog days. "Chushu" and the end of the dog days are both important seasonal points, with many traditional sayings and customs associated with them. Tomorrow, the 19th day of the seventh lunar month, on the eve of the end of the dog days, we would like to remind everyone of the following: one thing to eat, two things to avoid, and three things to be cautious about. Let's see if the reasons behind these suggestions are logical!

The Meaning of the End of the Dog Days

The end of the dog days marks the end of the three-month period of "dog days," the hottest and most humid time of the year. It consists of the first ten days, the middle ten or twenty days, and the last ten days. Once the last day of the last ten days passes, the end of the dog days is declared.

After the end of the dog days, the weather gradually cools down, but some areas may still experience brief periods of high temperatures, the so-called "Autumn Tiger" showing its power.

The Calculation of the End of the Dog Days

The calculation of the end of the dog days is based on China's ancient method of keeping track of days using the ten Heavenly Stems and twelve Earthly Branches. The specific steps are as follows:

1. Start with the summer solstice.

2. Counting from the first Geng day after the summer solstice, the third Geng day marks the beginning of the first ten days. The duration of the first ten days is always ten days.

3. Counting to the fourth Geng day marks the beginning of the middle ten days. The duration of the middle ten days is not fixed and depends on the number of Geng days between the summer solstice and the beginning of autumn, either ten or twenty days.

4. The first Geng day after the beginning of autumn marks the start of the last ten days. The duration of the last ten days is also always ten days.

5. The day the dog days end is the day before the second Geng day after the beginning of autumn.

This year, the beginning of autumn falls on August 7th, the first Geng day after the beginning of autumn is August 14th, and the second Geng day is August 24th, so this year, the end of the dog days falls on August 23rd, which means tomorrow is the eve of the end of the dog days.

The Special Feature of the End of the Dog Days This Year: "Chushu" Before the End of the Dog Days

This means that the "Chushu" solar term is still within the dog days. Generally, "Chushu" should come after the end of the dog days, and this situation often suggests that hot weather may continue, and the "Autumn Tiger" should not be underestimated. The temperature will remain high, and the heat will not dissipate.

This year is a typical example of "Chushu" before the end of the dog days. The end of the dog days falls on August 23rd, while the "Chushu" solar term falls on August 22nd. This means that the weather will still be hot, especially in the southern regions, and this heat may last until the "Bailu" or even the "Autumn Equinox" solar terms.

"Chushu," as the fourteenth solar term in the Chinese lunisolar calendar, should symbolize the departure of the heat. However, if it still falls within the dog days, the last stage of summer, the characteristics of the transitional seasons of spring and autumn will be diluted, resembling a year with only two seasons, summer and winter, with spring and autumn seemingly "hidden." This situation often leads to abnormal climate fluctuations, with the summer exceptionally hot and the winter unusually cold, breaking the normal seasonal cycle. There is a saying in China: "If 'Chushu' happens before the end of the dog days, there will be no sign of spring or autumn."

In terms of agricultural production, this abnormal climate change may have an adverse effect on crop growth and maturation. For example, high temperatures are not conducive to the pollination of crops such as corn, potentially leading to reduced yields.

Tomorrow, the 19th day of the seventh lunar month, is both the beginning of "Chushu" and the eve of the end of the dog days. On this crucial day, no matter how busy you are, remember these suggestions: one thing to eat, two things to avoid, and three things to be cautious about. Let's see if the reasons behind these suggestions are logical!

One Food: More Sour, Less Sweet

"The autumn air may seem sad, but it's not necessarily so; the light chill is just right for human enjoyment." As autumn arrives, the weather gradually becomes drier. "More sour" can help to contract lung qi and nourish the liver. Sour foods like hawthorn, dried plums, and grapes can enhance liver function, promote bile secretion, and improve digestion.

In autumn, lung qi is in its prime. If lung qi is excessive, it can damage the liver. Sour foods can contract lung qi, preventing excess lung qi from harming the liver.

"Less sweet" is because autumn is the time when human metabolism slows down. Consuming excessive amounts of sweet foods can easily lead to phlegm dampness, putting a heavier burden on the spleen and stomach. Moreover, excessive sweet foods can cause blood sugar to rise, which is not good for health.

In general, following the principle of "more sour and less sweet" in your diet after the end of the dog days can help you adapt to seasonal changes, maintain your health, and nourish your mind and body.

Two Things to Avoid: Avoid Sitting Still for Long Periods

"Running water never becomes stagnant, and a constantly turning door hinge never gets eaten by insects." After the end of the dog days, the temperature gradually decreases, and blood circulation may already be relatively slower. If you sit still for a long time, it is easier to cause poor blood circulation, increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Sitting for long periods can put a lot of pressure on the spine, easily leading to problems with the cervical and lumbar vertebrae. After the end of the dog days, changes in weather can cause muscle tension, and sitting for long periods can exacerbate this tension, putting an even greater burden on the spine.

Furthermore, prolonged sitting without exercise will slow down the body's metabolism, affecting energy consumption and fat burning, which is not conducive to weight management and healthy body regulation.

Moreover, after the end of the dog days, the body's joints and muscles are more sensitive to changes in temperature. Sitting still for long periods can easily lead to joint stiffness and muscle soreness.

Therefore, after the end of the dog days, you should try to avoid sitting for long periods and get up and move around from time to time to maintain healthy body function.

Three Things to Be Cautious About: Be Cautious About Taking Cold Showers

In many places, especially in the south, the weather is still hot for a while after the end of the dog days, and many people still prefer to take cold showers. However, after the end of the dog days, the temperature gradually drops, and the temperature difference between day and night increases. Taking cold showers at this time can easily cause the body to be stimulated by the cold, causing vasoconstriction, leading to poor blood circulation. This can put a greater burden on the cardiovascular system, especially for people with pre-existing cardiovascular diseases, potentially increasing the risk of illness.

Cold showers can also cause a decrease in the body's immunity, because the sudden cold stimulation can affect the body's stress response, making it more difficult for the body to resist external pathogens, easily leading to colds, fever, and other diseases.

In addition, after the end of the dog days, the skin's pores gradually contract to adapt to changes in the external environment. Taking cold showers can cause the pores to suddenly close, which is not conducive to the body's metabolism and toxin elimination.

In short, for the sake of your health after the end of the dog days, you should try to take warm showers and avoid cold showers.

That's all we have to share for today. We sincerely thank you for reading, liking, commenting, sharing, and collecting. May you all be safe and sound in the future, and may your life be filled with happiness and fulfillment!

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