The Autumnal Equinox has arrived, bringing equal lengths of day and night and a balance between cold and heat.

Autumn is characterized by "harvesting" or "contracting." The body's Yang energy should gradually turn inward, storing energy for the winter.

Traditional Customs

During the Autumnal Equinox, folk customs include making offerings to the moon and ancestors, expressing gratitude for the harvest and praying for peace and prosperity. People also gift each other seasonal fruits, sharing the joy of the harvest.

Daily Routine

• Go to bed early and rise early, avoid staying up late

• Follow the principle of "Go to bed early and rise early, in sync with the chickens," and try to avoid staying up late. Staying up late excessively consumes Yang energy. Prolonged periods of this can not only harm your constitution but may also lead to serious health issues.

Diet

• Focus on nourishing Yin and moistening dryness, reduce pungent foods, increase sour ones

• The autumn climate is dry, so the diet should emphasize moistening dryness. Reduce the intake of pungent and stimulating foods like chili peppers, Sichuan peppercorns, ginger, and garlic, as they can contribute to dryness and injure Yin. Instead, eat more Yin-nourishing and fluid-promoting foods such as apples, pears, lily bulbs, and lotus root.

Recommended Recipes

• ① Lily Bulb, Lotus Seed, and Snow Fungus Congee:

• 15g lily bulbs, 15g lotus seeds, 15g snow fungus, 50g millet, plus one pear. Cook together into congee. This congee helps moisten dryness, strengthen the spleen, nourish Yin, and calm the spirit.

• ② Autumn Pear, Monk Fruit, and Lily Bulb Soup:

• Cut an autumn pear into pieces and simmer with monk fruit and lily bulbs. Add a small amount of rock sugar. The pear flesh can be eaten. This soup clears heat, moistens dryness, promotes fluid production, and alleviates autumn dryness.

Exercise

• Gentle and slow-paced activities are recommended; traditional exercises are ideal

• Autumn exercise should not be too intense, to prevent the outward dissipation of Yang energy. It is recommended to choose traditional health-preserving exercises such as Ba Duan Jin, Tai Chi, Wu Qin Xi (Five Animal Frolics), or Zhan Zhuang (standing meditation). These help with the收敛 (contracting/harvesting) and balancing of both body and mind.

Follow the natural rhythms, nurture your body and mind, and pass through autumn peacefully~