Tips for staying healthy in winter

During the cold winter days, you should avoid going out too early, eating too salty food, and bathing for too long. In addition, you should also maintain your yang energy, keep warm and stay hydrated.

In 2025, Lap Dong falls on November 7th of the Gregorian calendar (September 18th of the Lunar calendar). This solar term will last 14 days and end on November 21st.

At Lap Dong, heaven and earth begin to accumulate energy, preparing for the coming spring.

According to Aboluowang , the 15 days after Lap Dong is an important period to regulate the body, stabilize emotions, and balance blood and energy.

Three things to avoid

1. Avoid going out too early

In winter, the days are short and the nights are long, the warmth of heaven and earth gradually shrinks, and the cold increases. Morning is when the cold air is strongest, going out early can easily cause cold to invade, damaging the yang energy.

Modern science also shows that low temperatures stimulate the sympathetic nervous system, increasing the risk of cardiovascular accidents. Therefore, it is best to go out when the sun has risen and there is warm sunlight.

You should reduce salt intake and increase bitter foods in winter. (Source: An Giang Newspaper)

2. Avoid eating too salty - eat something a little bitter

According to Oriental medicine, winter is the time when kidney energy is strong, and the corresponding taste is “salty”. If you eat too much salt, the kidney energy will suppress the heart, causing the body to lose balance.

That is why there is a saying, “in winter, you should eat less salty and more bitter foods.” Dishes like bitter melon, green cabbage, and bitter vegetables help nourish the heart, regulate kidney qi, and keep the body functioning harmoniously.

3. Avoid bathing too hot or too long

Oriental medicine believes that “the heart governs the blood vessels, blood and sweat have the same source”. Excessive sweating depletes blood and energy, easily causing dizziness, fatigue, and chest tightness. Therefore, the bath water temperature should be 37-40 degrees Celsius and the bath time should not exceed 15 minutes.

Three things to do

1. Should keep yang energy - go to bed early, wake up late

The traditional medicine book The Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon states: "Yang Qi is like the sky and the sun, when lost, life expectancy is shortened." Yang Qi is the source of human life energy.

To maintain yang energy, you must go to bed early, wake up late, and get enough sleep. Sleeping early helps avoid the cold air at night, waking up late helps the body absorb the warmth of the day, keeping the mind alert and peaceful.

2. Stay hydrated - drink warm water, sweat less

The book Compendium of Materia Medica states: “Water expels evil spirits and nourishes the body’s vital energy.” Warm water helps digestion, replenishes body fluids, and warms the body. In winter, you should only do light exercise such as walking slowly, and avoid exercising until you sweat profusely. The best time to exercise is late morning or early afternoon when it is sunny.

3. Keep warm - protect 3 important areas

(i) Head: is where yang energy concentrates, if it is cold it can easily cause headaches and colds. When going out, you should wear a hat.

(ii) Back and waist: are the “kidney covers”. Cold easily weakens kidney yang, causing back pain and fatigue. Wear long enough clothes to cover your back.

(iii) Feet: are the farthest part from the heart and are prone to cold. Soak your feet in warm water (about 40 degrees Celsius) for 20 minutes every night to help blood circulation and sleep better.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/bi-kip-giup-song-khoe-vao-mua-dong-333840.html