Seasonal Wellness Tips for Chu Shu - End of Heat
Chu Shu is the 14th of 24 solar terms that occur throughout the year according to the ancient Chinese calendar. It falls on the 23rd of August, or one day on either side, depending on the start of the lunar calendar.
Chu Shu marks the end of the summer heat and the beginning of cooler autumn weather. That said, daytime temperatures can still be relatively high during Chu Shu, although it tends to become cooler in the early mornings and late evenings.
During Chu Shu, we may also experience periods of much hotter weather, known in English as an Indian summer and in Chinese as qiu laohu, meaning “autumn tiger.” This can make it hard to know what to wear and eat as one day can be very different from the next!
Read on to learn more and discover how to remain healthy at this changeable time of year.
Stay Hydrated
Following Chu Shu, the weather tends to become progressively cooler but can still be relatively hot, especially during the day. Therefore, it is important to continue with sun-safe practices and seek shade when necessary. It is also essential to stay hydrated by drinking enough water.
Drinking a glass of water first thing in the morning is especially beneficial to compensate for overnight moisture loss. Warm water (boiled and cooled from the kettle, not the hot tap) is considered particularly helpful for promoting metabolic function.
Conversely, according to traditional Chinese wisdom, you should not consume milk, fruit juice, or carbonated drinks on an empty stomach, as this can overload and strain the digestive organs. So, stick to water first thing and save other beverages for after breakfast.
Prevent Dryness
Autumn dryness is a common pattern of disharmony at this time of year. As Chu Shu is the second solar term of autumn, climatic dryness is increasing, and so is the risk of associated symptoms, such as:
Dry skin
Mouth ulcers
Dry nasal cavity
Sore throat
Cough
Constipation
The Lung is particularly prone to damage from dryness, and during autumn, chronic respiratory diseases may relapse or worsen. We are also more likely to catch colds and other viruses.
Therefore, it is crucial to take care of the Lung at this time of year and increase overall moisture in the body. Eat more moistening foods, such as pears, bananas, lotus root, and snow fungus, which you can purchase from Asian supermarkets.
You should also reduce your consumption of bitter-tasting food and drinks, as bitter is considered the most drying of the five flavours. This includes things like chocolate and coffee, which may be disappointing for some but makes perfect sense when you think about caffeine’s diuretic effects!
Combat Fatigue
After Chu Shu, many people experience a reduction in their energy levels, which is natural as the days grow shorter and the weather cooler. In extreme cases, this can manifest as a lack of mental and physical capacity, reduced work efficiency, concentration, and memory function, headaches, dizziness, and, paradoxically, insomnia.
In an ideal world, we would all be able to reduce our working hours and rest more at this time of year, but this is a luxury that most of us cannot afford. However, it is important to listen to your body, so if you are craving a lie-in or an afternoon nap, and that’s a possibility, then go for it!
You can also support yourself by paying extra attention to sleep hygiene, practising deep abdominal breathing, engaging in regular light exercise, and eating more qi-boosting foods, such as beans and pulses, root veg, squashes, and whole grains. Consume some protein and fibre with every meal and avoid refined sugars that give you a quick energy hit… followed by a crash!
For more personalised seasonal wellbeing advice, you can book a holistic health coaching session via the contact page.
References
买雯婷 (2011) 第一养生药膳 - Tangmark Publishing and Distribution, Beijing