When autumn arrives one should go to bed early and get up early to be in harmony with the natural dictates of the season. The wind at this time of year is clean, clear, and sharp. Nature's creatures retreat inward to consolidate energy and for self-preservation. Accommodating nature in this way can help one avoid detrimental effects to one's qi, which can be brought on by autumn's bleak and austere qualities.
Sleep helps to collect qi in the lungs, so going to bed early in autumn gives one's body what it needs. The characteristically cool and dry weather of the fall season is conducive to a good night's sleep. Since one gets less sleep during the heat of summer, it is good to compensate for the loss of sleep when autumn arrives, in accordance with the "way of maintaining and sustaining."
The benefits of going to bed early include getting extra sleep that helps to "sustain and rejuvenate one's spirit" and to "keep one's mind at peace."
How to Achieve a Good Night's Sleep
The first consideration for a good night's sleep is to maintain a calm, peaceful mind and a clear heart. A clear heart requires the absence of thoughts, while a calm mind depends on a stable mood.
Secondly, consider the physical accommodation. The bed should not be too hard or too soft. The elderly and children should sleep on a bed with a wooden frame. The mattress should not be too hard or too soft. The quilt should not be too light or too heavy. The mattress and quilt should be clean.
There are six things to avoid before going to sleep: an unstable mood, drinking alcohol, tea, or coffee, excessive eating, being overly tired, physical desire, and noise.
Getting Up Early to Clear Lung Qi
According to Chinese medicine, during autumn, lung qi dominates one's body. Since the qi in the lungs is strong during this season, getting up early and exercising is beneficial to one's health. Autumn is also the best season for morning exercise as the temperature is moderate and the air is cool and dry, both of which elevate one's spirit. In addition, the autumn scenery is both dramatic and lovely.
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