a walk in nature meeting spring along the way
During the Qingming Festival, the weather is warm, flowers are in bloom, and the scenery is beautiful. It is the perfect time for people to go out and enjoy nature. Therefore, there has been a tradition of Qingming outings since ancient times. Nowadays, the three-day Qingming holiday provides ample time for people to plan and enjoy their outings.
Since the time is so wonderful, why don't we meet spring on the road together?
Benefits of Outings
In the sunny month of March, life begins to flourish, and everything starts to grow. People leave their homes and go outdoors, aligning with the season and promoting the circulation of yang energy within their bodies, which is greatly beneficial to health.
Purify Lungs and Nourish the Heart
Spring outings in the countryside can harmonize one's energy and blood, calm the mind, and slow down the heartbeat and breathing, thus providing good rest for the heart and lungs. Additionally, the countryside is far from smog, with fresh air rich in negative oxygen ions, which can enhance heart and lung functions and stimulate the body's hematopoietic function, achieving the purpose of purifying the lungs and nourishing the heart.
Relax Muscles and Activate Meridians
Walking in the beautiful nature with a relaxed and happy mood, combined with appropriate exercise, not only allows people to enjoy the fun of outings and reduce life pressure but also exercises the body, relaxing and soothing the body's meridians, achieving the effect of relaxing muscles and activating meridians.
Nourish the Liver and Improve Vision
Going out for an outing can nourish the liver. In spring, moderate exercise helps the liver's qi to flow smoothly and the yang energy to rise. The liver opens into the eyes, so the stronger the liver qi, the clearer the vision. Also, looking into the distance in the green mountains and waters is beneficial for eyesight, relaxing the ciliary muscles in the eyes, and preventing myopia. Green is a positive stimulus for the eyes, making vision sharp and the mind calm.
Recommended Types of Outing Exercises
Spring outings are not only beneficial to the body but also help relieve the oppressive mood of winter. Simple, economical, and easy green fitness exercises can keep people away from the city's noise, bathe in the fresh air of the mountains and forests, and feel refreshed.
Brisk Walking
On days when spring is just beginning to show, brisk walking is a good choice for fitness. For those who usually lack exercise, starting with running might not be scientific as it can impact the knee joints. Brisk walking, on the other hand, allows you to breathe fresh air in the countryside while achieving the effect of burning fat through exercise.
Cycling
Riding a bicycle through the picturesque scenery around you can make you feel incredibly happy. It feels like more than just a fitness exercise; it's a joyful release of the soul. There are many corresponding acupoints on the hands and feet. When you grip the handlebars and pedal hard, you are unknowingly starting a body acupoint massage. Cycling not only accelerates blood circulation through leg movement but also strengthens the microvascular tissue.
Mountain Climbing
Mountain climbing is an excellent aerobic exercise. The fresh air in the mountains is very beneficial for improving lung ventilation, increasing lung capacity, and enhancing lung function. It also strengthens the heart's contraction ability. The rugged mountain paths improve the body's balance and coordination, especially when walking on unpaved trails, which can thicken muscle fibers, develop muscles, and enhance limb flexibility. Additionally, looking into the distance from the mountain top can relieve eye muscle fatigue and relax the tense brain.
Kite Flying
Flying kites in the spring can help you breathe fresh air, clear your mind, and promote metabolism. While flying kites, you can move all your joints, stretch your muscles and bones, and promote blood circulation. Looking up and gazing into the distance while flying kites can adjust eye muscles and nerves, eliminating eye fatigue.
Playing Golf
A golf swing involves using all the muscles and joints in the body, especially the waist, shoulders, and arms, which helps improve body flexibility and correct poor posture. Golf is a gentle exercise; playing for 75 minutes burns about 445 calories, equivalent to cycling at 16 kilometers per hour for 65 minutes. Playing golf requires high endurance, and walking outdoors for one or two hours can exercise the heart without overburdening it.
Recommended Outing Routes
Spring outings offer countless destinations across 9.6 million square kilometers. Here are some popular outing routes for you!
Yangzhou, Jiangsu
In March, Yangzhou is in the season of blooming flowers and growing life. The first stop must be Yangzhou. Every year around the Qingming Festival, Yangzhou hosts the "March Flower Trade and Tourism Festival." At this time, Yangzhou is misty with blooming flowers, making it the most beautiful and lively season of the year.
West Lake, Hangzhou
West Lake in spring has a unique charm. The Su and Bai Causeways are lined with peach and willow trees. On both sides, the rippling water and dotted boats create a picturesque scene, with misty mountains in the distance. Walking on the causeway, you will be amazed by the scenery and feel as if you have entered a fairyland.
Wuyuan, Jiangxi
Wuyuan is known as the "Hometown of Books" and "Hometown of Tea," and is praised as "China's most beautiful countryside." The scenic spots in Wuyuan revolve around its villages, with the most famous being the rapeseed flowers and Hui-style architecture. The beauty of its countryside lies in its natural harmony. The best place to see rapeseed flowers in Wuyuan is Jiangling Village, where the terraced fields are covered with golden rapeseed flowers from March to April.
Yangshuo, Guangxi
It is said that Guilin's scenery is the best in the world, but Yangshuo's scenery is even better than Guilin's. Yangshuo is also a paradise for hiking, perfect for going with friends. Imagine walking along the Li River, stepping on the small pebbles left by the receding tide, watching the clear Li River water, and the rolling mountains on both sides. Doesn't it feel like being in a painting?
Dongxi Chong Coastline, Shenzhen
When it comes to outings, the first thing that comes to mind is usually green mountains, green fields, and red flowers. However, outings can also involve listening to the waves crashing on the shore and looking out at the endless coastline, feeling the infinite charm of the sea. The Dongxi Chong coastline is Shenzhen's most beautiful and classic hiking route. Walking along the coastline in the spring sunshine, with the sea breeze blowing, is an absolute delight.
Precautions for Outings
Since you are going on an outing, you need to be well-prepared. Good health is essential for enjoying your trip.
Prevent Allergies
During the flower season, many people experience pollen allergies. The most important way to prevent pollen allergies is to reduce direct contact with allergenic pollen, especially on windy days. Avoid staying outdoors for long periods and try to avoid areas with dense flowers and trees. When going out, be sure to wear a mask for protection, wear long-sleeved clothing, and preferably a hat. In spring, vegetation is lush, and mosquitoes begin to breed, which is also a major cause of skin allergies during travel. It is recommended to bring mosquito repellent when going out.
Sun Protection
In spring, ultraviolet rays are stronger, so sun protection is crucial. Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight, and use umbrellas, hats, masks, and sunglasses for protection. If exposure is unavoidable, apply sunscreen with an SPF index greater than 30.
Prevent Colds
Traditional Chinese medicine believes that "wind is a yang pathogen, and its nature is to open and disperse," meaning that spring wind can easily cause wind-cold invasion. Coupled with the rainy and humid weather during Qingming, it is easy to catch colds, rheumatism, and shoulder pain. Therefore, it is especially important to prevent damp-cold invasion during Qingming. Those who sweat easily should carry a small towel or handkerchief to wipe off sweat and prevent "wind pathogen invasion."
Prevent Diarrhea
The weather around Qingming is often rainy and damp, which can easily trigger various gastrointestinal diseases such as peptic ulcers and gastroenteritis. Irregular eating habits and unsuitable food during outings can also cause problems. The correct approach is to eat regularly, consume foods rich in vitamins B and C, strengthen the spleen and lungs, and avoid photosensitive and spicy foods if you have allergies.
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