Editor's note

The ancient Chinese created an agricultural solar system - still in use today - that is based upon their observation of crops, climate, astrology, and the study of animal and plant life cycles. The system guided farmers as to when to sow seeds and when to harvest them, and this system has now been in place for more than 2,000 years.

Today, with advances in science and technology, agriculture depends less on this ancient wisdom. But this seasonal calendar still operates as a reference guide for gourmands to seek out the best times for seasonal delicacies and for health experts to plan nutritious diets.

In a single year, the system features 24 "solar terms," each lasting one day and occurring every two weeks. Each has its own name and characteristics. The Global Times is presenting a weekly series examining which foods and delicacies are best enjoyed during these periods, as well as tips on preserving general health.

Xiaoxue, which means "light snow," is the 20th term in the Chinese agricultural solar system. And as the end of the year is just around the corner, the arrival of xiaoxue usually gives people the feeling that the winter is well and truly here.

Strong cold fronts, which sweep across the country from time to time, bring both biting winds and freezing temperatures. And rain changes into snow as the thermometer drops below zero in northern parts of China. In the south, damp and chilly weather remains the norm during this time. 

In Shanghai and neighboring provinces, farmers are busy with the last batch of the harvest and food for animals before freezing weather locks everything in ice and snow. Meanwhile, they will start to take measures to protect fish stocks and orchard trees in order that they can survive the winter.

Human beings, like every other creature on the planet, are greatly affected by the sun. As an old Chinese saying goes, ri chu er zuo, ri luo er xi, or "go out laboring when the sun rises, and put your feet up when the sun sets."

The saying isn't as relevant as it once was, because our lives no longer revolve around agricultural production. But people should still adjust their lifestyles according to the changes in the natural world.

The Global Times offers some tips for people to stay healthy around the time of xiaoxue.

Winter blues

There is never sufficient sunlight during this period, and not only because the days are shorter during winter, but also because the sky is often gloomy and overcast during the day. A good daily dose of sunshine, whenever possible, really helps drive away the winter blues or low moods that often affect people who work for long hours indoors and under electric lighting.  

"The sun is a major source of providing people with enough positive vital energy, or yangqi, according to theories in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)," Xiong Yizhe, a TCM practitioner at the Shanghai Shuguang Hospital affiliated to the Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, told the Global Times.

Xiong noted that it is very beneficial to do exercises in the sun, and to stretch out the legs and arms to promote blood circulation which helps the body to generate more heat. 

Apart from its natural healing power, sunlight is also said to be able to kill bacteria and germs.

Get more sleep

With night falling early and day breaking late, it is said that people should get more sleep during the winter. "It's a time for people to conserve strength and store up energy, just as animals in the wild often do," said Xiong. "It is also a way to protect one's body from the cold, and when one's yangqi is relatively weak."

According to TCM, going to bed earlier and rising later can also help balance yin and yang, the body's two vital life forces.

"Like those creatures that shut themselves down in winter months, humans also need to preserve energy so that they can revive in the following spring," said Xiong.

Keep warm and humid

The importance of keeping warm in winter hardly needs stating. "The skin and lungs are sensitive organs which are directly exposed to the dryness and cold of winter. That's why respiratory problems occur more often in winter than at any other time, because the lungs are tender and sensitive to the dry and cold weather," Xiong added.

Xiong suggests soaking the feet in hot water at the end of the day to ward off colds and chills. "The feet can turn icy because they are a long distance from the heart, and this can result in bad circulation in the toes. In TCM, it is believed that the cold penetrates the body through the feet."

It is usually dry both outdoors and indoors during the winter because many people like to use the air conditioning to blow out warm air. It is a good idea to place a basin of water in the room to keep up the humidity levels. Another way is to keep flowers or plants that grow in water in the room, as this will also stop the air from drying out.

Stop internal heat

"It should be noted that people tend to eat more food which is 'warm' in nature than during other seasons," said Xiong. "Hot pot and spicy food are preferable, but be aware that eating too much can lead to excessive internal heat."

Xiong said that one should never forget to eat foods that are "cold" in nature, such as turnip, water chestnuts and lotus seeds, to offset the negative effects caused by internal heat. 

It is also advised that people choose recipes that have mild and gentle functions as a tonic. Broth and soup of various kinds can help achieve this goal because they supplement the body with much-needed water, besides having other health benefits.