It is precisely because people are born by grasping the qi of heaven and earth, and the method is formed in the four seasons, so the first rule of health preservation that Chinese medicine should pay attention to is called "following the four seasons". Why should we follow the four seasons?
We can ask, where is the most suitable place for human survival on earth? The answer is temperate zone. Although there are yin and yang in the Antarctic and Arctic, there is no alternation of yin and yang day and night. Both the South Pole and the North Pole are half a year's day and half a year's night. Their yin and yang are isolated, not alternating, so neither the South Pole nor the North Pole is suitable for human survival. In the tropics, the summer is long, regardless of the four seasons, and yin and yang do not alternate. There are four different seasons in the temperate zone. People live in this area, such as spring, long summer, autumn harvest and winter storage. The changes of these four seasons play an important role in the development of human body and IQ. In the long development of human beings, the process of spring growing and summer growing, autumn harvesting and winter storage has made the brain sulcus of temperate people deeper and deeper. So people living in temperate zone should be very proud, because temperate zone is very smart. Who caused this state? This is caused by nature.
To understand the "four seasons" of TCM, we must first understand the "four seasons" of TCM. Without understanding this "four seasons", it is impossible to talk about TCM health preservation. This is because we live in "the same atmosphere", "there are cloudy days and rainy days." We live at the intersection of weather and atmosphere between heaven and earth. "Man is born with the spirit of heaven and earth, and the dharma can reach four seasons", which means that man is the product of heaven and earth. We all complete the whole process of our birth, growth, strength, aging and self according to the law of alternating seasons of spring, summer, autumn and winter, which is a unique concept of Chinese medicine.
Chinese medicine believes that "man is natural, and man follows the four seasons." If you keep healthy according to the rules of four seasons' temperature, hot summer, cool autumn and cold winter, you can reduce the incidence of diseases on you. There is a saying in Huangdi Neijing, which is called "fake evil thieves, sometimes avoid them". What is "false evil thief wind"? It is in a certain season, when it goes against the normal climate, Chinese medicine is called virtual evil and thief wind, which will lead to human diseases.
Nowadays, many old people prefer to live in bungalows rather than pavilions. Why? Because the houses in the north are very distinctive, warm in winter and cool in summer. No matter how cold it is outside in winter, there will be a warm air when you go in, and it will be hot outside in summer, and there will be a chill when you enter the bungalow. This is what Chinese medicine calls the qi of heaven and earth. Look at the long-lived elderly people in rural areas, almost all of whom live in bungalows. We all live in a building now, and there is only weather but no atmosphere in the building.
Nourish yang in spring and summer and yin in autumn and winter.
Traditional Chinese medicine believes that the running state of qi and blood is directly related to the five internal organs.
In spring, qi and blood flow from the inside to the outside, and the qi and blood inside is relatively insufficient. At this time, people often have the condition of liver yin deficiency. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that spring gas is connected with liver gas, which is the main organ that transmits human qi and blood from the inside out, while spring is the process of qi and blood growth, so spring gas is connected with liver gas.
In summer, the qi and blood of heaven and man went outside, and it was very full outside at this time. Chinese medicine believes that summer qi and heart qi are interlinked. Why do you say that? Everyone may have this experience. It's very hot in summer, and when you sweat a lot, you will feel chest tightness and shortness of breath. This is because summer breath and mood are related.
When leaves fall in autumn, it is the time when people's qi and blood gather from the outside to the inside. At this time, the lung is the most important organ among the five internal organs, and the lung qi is connected with the autumn qi. What is the function of lung qi? It can promote hair growth and soothe the nerves. It can make your qi and blood flow smoothly from the outside to the inside, so this process is directly related to lung qi, so Chinese medicine says that lung qi and autumn qi are interlinked.
In winter, qi and blood of human body completely enter the interior, and then winter qi is connected with kidney qi.
To sum up, according to the viewpoint of traditional Chinese medicine, spring, summer, autumn and winter correspond to liver, heart, lung and kidney, and these four organs are directly related to the four seasons. Therefore, our TCM regimen should follow the changes of the four seasons.
In spring, qi and blood run from the inside out, so pay attention to nourishing the liver at this time. Many people often wake up in the middle of the night or can't sleep when it comes to spring. This is because people's yang is outside during the day and inside at night. Where does it lead? Is to return to the liver. If the liver blood is sufficient, yin and yang can be reconciled to sleep. If liver blood deficiency and Yang Can can't go back, you will keep your eyes open and can't sleep. Even if you go back, the liver meridian is from 1 to 3, the liver yin is insufficient, and the liver meridian is hot, so you can push the yang back and wake up. By 5 o'clock, your lungs will be strong and you can fall asleep again. There are also some lesbians who have poor sleep before and after menstruation. This is because blood flows downwards and qi rises upwards, and women are born with liver. Liver and blood deficiency, they don't want to sleep and can't sleep when Yin qi is not gathered.
In winter, all of us must pay attention to "going to bed early and getting up late and waiting for the sun", that is, waiting for the sun to come out before you get up. Now many old people go out to exercise after 5 o'clock and before 6 o'clock in winter, but that's not exercise, it's tossing. Why does Chinese medicine say that we must follow the sun in winter? Because in winter, the world is closed, as we said before, all the nutrients of plants are in the roots at this time. If you exercise too much, too early and too intensely, your pores will open, which is not conducive to the storage of your essence. Therefore, winter sports must wait for the sun to come out. Follow the sun, the sun comes out, and then you go out for a walk. When the sun goes down, you go home. Don't go out to exercise in foggy and snowy days. This is not in line with the law of TCM health preservation.
Winter is the time when everything and qi and blood hide. What should people pay great attention to in their emotions? Be careful not to be afraid, don't panic, don't think that my stock fell today and my fund will fall tomorrow, so let yourself gain something. Emotionally speaking, you should feel satisfied. Don't be afraid or afraid. If you are in this fear every day, it is not conducive to the accumulation of kidney qi.