In most places around the world, Major Cold begins when the sun reaches the celestial longitude of 300 degrees and ends when it reaches the longitude of 315 degrees. It is often the time when the earth is frozen to its deepest level. This year, Major Cold began on Jan. 20 and will end on Feb. 2.

This time is critical for agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and animal husbandry. In most cases, insects and bacteria will die out almost completely when the temperature drops to its lowest point, and when spring comes, pest problems will be minimal.

The old Chinese people said that on the day of Major Cold, if the wind comes from the north and it’s cold, there will be a fruitful harvest in the coming year; if the wind comes from the south and is warm, the crop in the coming year will be poor. If it’s not a cold day, cold weather will last into the spring and have a negative impact on spring planting. The best scenario is that the day is fairly cold, but without rain or snow.

Major Cold is the starting time for hens to incubate eggs so they are ready to hatch when the weather is warmer. Ancient Chinese people, especially royalty, would traditionally cut and store ice during this period, to use for cooling drinks in the summer heat.

There are three major parts of our bodies that should be kept warm during Major Cold: the respiratory system, neck and spine, and feet. Here are some helpful tips to achieve this:

For care indoors, prepare a large bowl of very warm water, a bath towel, and essential oils of eucalyptus, niaouli, or thyme. Add five drops of essential oil to the water. Hold your face over the bowl, and cover your head and the bowl with the towel. Inhale the steam for a few minutes.

To bring heat back to the area, apply a heating pad or hot water bottle. For an at-home spa treatment, heat rocks with a slow cooker, then cover them with cloth or insert them into a small cushion and rest your neck or lower back on them.

The food we eat during the Major Cold period can either enhance our resilience or work against us. Here are some foods that will keep the body weather-ready.

Traditionally, it is also best to have plenty of sleep and rest during the cold period. Restrain sexual activities to preserve the yang energies of the body for growth in spring.

Here’s to keeping you in best health for the whole year!