Functional Diet Therapy and Sleep Pretreatment: The Strength-Strengthening Secrets of Pig Skin and Fructus Dipsaci (Pork Skin and Fructus Dipsaci) Soup and Eight Pre-Sleep Massage Techniques
Pork skin is sweet and cool in nature, containing a large amount of collagen, which can delay the aging of body cells. A recommended remedy is "Pork Skin and Dipsacus Root Soup": Cut 200 grams of fresh pork skin into pieces, add ginger, rice wine, and salt, then add a concentrated broth made from 50 grams of Dipsacus root. Simmer until tender. This soup benefits the liver and kidneys, strengthens muscles and bones, and can alleviate osteoporosis pain. For those feeling mentally fatigued, sour plum drink is an excellent remedy. The organic acids in sour plums can inhibit lactic acid, and citric acid can remove aging substances, revitalizing muscles. Although it tastes sour, it is alkaline, which can reduce liver fire, aid digestion, and is a natural throat soothing remedy.
Cooking techniques that help preserve calcium are crucial: (1) Stew tofu with fish. The vitamin D in fish promotes calcium absorption from tofu. (2) Blanch green vegetables first. This removes oxalic acid from spinach and amaranth. (3) Use vinegar for meat dishes. In an acidic environment, calcium from bones is more easily dissolved and absorbed. (4) Soak and ferment rice and noodles. This removes phytic acid, which affects absorption. (5) Scrambled eggs with tomatoes. Vitamin C promotes calcium absorption.
Sleep is the best medicine for the body; as the old saying goes, "sleep is worse than medicine." Sufficient sleep is key to regulating physiological functions and stabilizing the nervous system. Chronic insomnia can lead to exhaustion of the heart, liver, spleen, lungs, and kidneys. To create an ideal bedroom environment, consider the following: a small space is preferable to a large one to increase a sense of security; a south or southwest facing direction with ample sunlight; a single bed at least 70 cm wide; keep bedding dry; and avoid cluttering the space under the bed.
Good pre-sleep health practices can help you fall asleep quickly. Here are eight methods for falling asleep before bed: (1) Massage your scalp with your fingertips for 12 minutes. (2) Rub your ears with both palms. (3) Rub your face with both palms to unblock the meridians. (4) Rub your neck and shoulder muscles alternately. (5) Massage your lower back and chest from top to bottom for 23 minutes. (6) Massage your lower legs with your palms pressed together. (7) Rub the soles of your feet together against the insteps and soles of your feet. (8) Massage your abdomen continuously with your palms stacked. When performing these methods, you should close your eyes, calm your mind, and relax your body.
In addition, the seven-step pre-sleep relaxation exercise is also very effective: (1) Rotate your neck forward, backward, left, and right. (2) Slowly rotate your shoulders without moving your head. (3) Squat down, then support yourself with your hands behind you and lift your hips up for 20 seconds. (4) Interlace your fingers and extend them upward, then naturally shake your arms. (5) Stand up and swing and pound your thigh muscles. (6) Lie on your back, supporting your lower back, and vibrate your legs in the air. (7) Hug your knees with both hands and roll back and forth on the bed. This set of movements can thoroughly relax the muscles of the back and limbs, reduce lower back pain, and create physiological conditions for deep sleep.