August 23rd, 2012. "The End of Heat", the 2nd small Autumn season arrives

    In 2012, the season of "The End of Heat" arrives on August 23rd,same as last year. Celestial longitude: 150 degree. For some of the seasonal information please read this article from last year.

    Here are some additional information:

       Take good care of your skin. Because of the dryness of autumn, our skin easily loses moisture, which can cause discomfort, premature aging, or even skin disorders. Eat foods that have moisturizing properties, such as sesame seeds, honey, white wood ear fungus, and certain dairy products. Make sure to keep your body well hydrated by drinking enough water throughout the day, and consider drinking a cup of lightly salted water in the morning. Choose skincare products that are suitable for your skin type, and cleanse your skin thoroughly yet gently. Above all, go to bed early and get enough sleep, as this is one of the simplest and most effective ways to care for your skin.

This is a transitional season in nature, from heat to coolness, and the same transition occurs in the body's Yin-Yang balance. Therefore, we need to adjust our daily lifestyle accordingly. The first aspect that should be adjusted is our sleep schedule. As mentioned earlier, going to bed early and getting up early is the fundamental principle of sleeping during autumn. Traditional Chinese Medicine considers the sleep-wake cycle to be a unified Yin-Yang, rest-activity state of the body's physiological functions. It also reflects the close relationship between the body and the mind.

First, the transition from day to night determines the human sleep-wake cycle. Nature exists through the continuous transformation of Yin and Yang, and the cycle of day and night is one of its clearest expressions. Daytime belongs to Yang, while nighttime belongs to Yin. As human beings are part of nature, our Qi naturally follows this rhythm. Yang Qi governs wakefulness, while Yin promotes sleep. Therefore, the natural human lifestyle is to rise with the sunrise and go to sleep after sunset.

Second, the physiological basis of sleep is explained in TCM through the movement of Ying Qi and Wei Qi. Ying Qi (Nutritive Qi) circulates within the blood vessels, nourishing the body's tissues, while Wei Qi (Defensive Qi) circulates outside the vessels, protecting the body from external pathogenic influences. According to <>, Wei Qi plays the most important role in regulating sleep. When Wei Qi enters the Yin aspect of the body, we naturally fall asleep; when it returns to the Yang aspect, we awaken.

Third, TCM considers that our sleep and wakefulness are also governed by the Shen (Mind or Spirit). When the Shen is at rest, the body rests as well, and vice versa. Therefore, our emotional and mental activities during the daytime directly influence the quality of our sleep. As we know, one of the major causes of insomnia is excessive mental or emotional stress and tension.