The annual Gregorian calendar1February 22nd is the "Winter Solstice", which is the 22nd solar term among the 24 solar terms and the fourth solar term in winter. Contrary to the corresponding "summer solstice", on the "winter solstice", the sun shines almost directly on the tropic of Capricorn, which is the shortest day and the longest night in the northern hemisphere. It is called "short day" or "short day" in ancient times. After the "winter solstice", the direct point of the sun slowly moved northward, and the days in the northern hemisphere gradually became longer and the nights gradually shortened.
The "Winter Solstice" is the key moment for the transformation of Yin and Yang in a year. When the Yin qi declines, the Yang qi rises, and the underground spring water begins to sprout, which is a sign that winter is gone and spring is coming. However, in the astronomical sense, the "winter solstice" means that the severe winter should come in time. This is because from the "winter solstice", the ground in the northern hemisphere lost more heat than it absorbed. Before and after the "March 9th", the heat accumulated on the ground dropped to the minimum, and the weather was coldest. Therefore, there are sayings of "Don't shoot in 1929, walk on the ice in 3949" and "Cold in March 9th".
Folk believe that "Qi begins at the' winter solstice'", so this is the best time for health preservation. "The' winter solstice' is patched up, and it is full of energy for one year. Pay attention to "nourishing kidney to prevent cold" and eat more foods such as mutton, yam, lotus seeds and jujube to increase calories. In order to adapt to the law of "everything rests, and the yang is hidden" in the cold winter, it is advisable to follow the principle of "lying early and getting up late, waiting for the sun" to save your strength. After lunch break, the yang is strong, which is the best time for exercise and health preservation, but the intensity should be moderate, with the principle of sweating slightly. "Winter Solstice" health, focusing on nourishing the heart, should be calm, optimistic and open-minded, do not worry about trivial things, to prevent premature aging, and maintain vigorous energy, in order to live longer.