What's this?
Xiaohan is the 23rd of the 24 solar terms, usually on January 5th, 6th or 7th every year.
"Xiaohan" means that the weather is already very cold, but not extremely cold yet - because there is still a big cold ahead. But don't be fooled by the word "small". There is an old saying among the people: "Small cold is better than big cold. It is common and not uncommon." This means that Xiaohan is often colder than big cold.
Why is it important?
Xiaohan is the beginning of the coldest period of the year.
Among the nine cold days, "three nines" happen to be around the Xiaohan solar term. The ancients said that "the cold is in the third nine", which refers to this period of time.
For the body, Xiaohan is the time when resistance is most tested. Cold air comes from all directions. If you are not in good health, you will easily catch colds, coughs, and joint pains.
Therefore, Xiaohan’s dietary themes are: tonic, warming yang, and preventing wind and cold.
How to do it?
The key words of Xiaohan’s diet are: warming, high-calorie, and nourishing the kidneys.
What to eat?
- Mutton-boiled mutton, mutton soup, the eternal protagonist of winter
- Beef - replenishes Qi and blood, enhances cold resistance
- Chicken - warm and tonic, suitable for making soups
- Leek - "Yangcao", warms the kidneys and supports yang
- Longan and red dates - nourish blood and Qi
- Walnuts, almonds - add calories
- Black sesame seeds and black beans - nourish the kidneys
- Ginger - brown sugar ginger tea, a cup every morning
- Radish - smoothes the air and balances the heat of meat
How to eat?
- Breakfast: hot porridge + nuts, warm them up before going out
- Lunch: You can have a meat meal, stewed, boiled or rinsed
- Dinner: Not too greasy, but warm, hot noodle soup is best
-Snacks: walnuts and red dates to replenish energy at any time
Life Adjustments
- Wear a hat, scarf, and gloves when going out—you can’t miss any one of them.
- Soak your feet at night - add some mugwort leaves or ginger and soak until you sweat slightly
- Go to bed early and get up late - follow the rhythm of the sun
- Indoor ventilation - although it is cold, you still need to open the windows every day for ventilation
- Moderate exercise - Tai Chi, Baduanjin, not too strenuous
When?
January 5th, 6th or 7th every year. This is the coldest time of the year. It’s not unusual for temperatures to reach minus 20 degrees in the north, but it’s bone-chillingly cold in the south.
Where?
The whole country is experiencing Xiaohan, but the experience is completely different:
- Northeast: 20 to 30 degrees below zero, splashing water turns into ice, eating popsicles indoors
- North China: Dry and cold, the wind blows on the face like a knife
- South: It’s humid and cold. It’s colder indoors than outdoors. You have to rely on willpower to survive the winter.
But regardless of north or south, Xiaohan's diet is the same: hot, tonic, and warm.
One sentence summary
> Xiaohan is the "final exam" in winter - whether the body can withstand the coldest days depends on the accumulation of this period.