The Great Snow solar term, one of the twenty-four solar terms, is approaching. An ancient saying goes, "Great means abundant; at this time, the snow is abundant." Great Snow signifies that the weather will become even colder.

　　So, the heavy snow is here, are you ready? Let's take a look at the health guide for the heavy snow solar term.

　　◆Two points to note for health preservation during heavy snow

　　1. Moderate nutrition is recommended.

　　Moderation means striking the right balance. Neither too much nor too little. Excessive caution can lead to imbalance and confusion.

　　2. Avoid over-supplementing the diet.

　　Comprehensive conditioning should be moderate. Some people equate "supplementation" with nourishment, thus emphasizing nutrition in their diet and taking supplements with every meal; they emphasize comfort and quiet rest in their daily lives; in addition, they use tonifying drugs as an auxiliary measure. Although dietary supplementation, medicinal supplementation, and quiet rest all fall within the scope of health preservation, excessive use can actually harm health.

　　◆Seven things to do for health preservation during the Great Snow period

　　1. Keep warm

　　In winter, it is necessary to prevent the cold from penetrating the body. However, one should avoid excessive warmth, especially wearing thick clothes and heavy furs, drinking alcohol near a fire, or basking in the heat on the abdomen and back, which can lead to excessive sweating.

　　2. Strong legs

　　It is essential to keep your feet clean and dry at all times, wash and change your socks frequently, and wash your feet with warm water every day while massaging and stimulating acupoints on your feet. Walk for at least half an hour every day to keep your feet active.

　　In addition, choosing a pair of comfortable, warm, lightweight shoes with good moisture-wicking properties is also very important.

　　3. Drink more water

　　Although sweating and urination decrease in winter, the cells of the brain and other organs still need water to nourish them and ensure normal metabolism. In winter, daily water intake should generally not be less than 2000-3000 ml.

　　4. Regulating the spirit

　　Winter can easily lead to a low mood, both physically and mentally. The best way to change this is through activity, such as jogging, dancing, skating, or playing ball games, all of which are good remedies for eliminating winter blues and maintaining mental well-being.

　　5. Ventilation

　　Indoor air pollution levels are dozens of times higher than outdoor levels in winter. It is important to open doors and windows frequently for ventilation to clean the air and refresh the mind.

　　6. Nourishing with porridge

　　In winter, it's best to avoid sticky, hard, raw, and cold foods. Nutrition experts recommend having hot porridge in the morning and eating lightly at dinner to nourish the stomach. Porridges such as mutton porridge, glutinous rice, red date, and lily bulb porridge, eight-treasure porridge, and millet, milk, and rock sugar porridge are particularly suitable.

　　7. Go to bed early

　　In winter, one should "go to bed early and get up late." Going to bed early nourishes Yang energy, while getting up late preserves Yin essence.

　　◆Tips: Disease Prevention and Health Preservation During the Major Snow Solar Term - Protecting the Head and Keeping Feet Warm is Key

　　The head and feet contain a large number of immune cells stored under the skin. Cold stimulation entering through these areas can suppress the body's immune function and cause illness. Therefore, health maintenance during the Great Snow solar term requires avoiding cold and staying warm, conserving Yang energy and protecting Yin energy, and ensuring that the head and feet are kept warm.

　　1. Avoid having your head exposed to the wind. Especially in the cold winter, be extra careful of drafts in passageways. When the wind is strong, walk sideways and protect your head with your hands.

　　2. When going out, it is best to wear a hat, and it should be a hat that can cover your forehead.

　　3. The water temperature for shampooing should ideally be above 35℃. After washing, dry your hair immediately with a hairdryer. Never walk in the wind with wet hair.

　　4. When sleeping at night, windows and doors should be closed. Keep your head away from drafts while sleeping.

　　5. When combing your hair in the morning during winter, comb it several times to warm your scalp. This will help to promote the flow of qi and blood in the head's meridians.