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I have heard that the thickness of clothing should be adjusted moderately according to the season. Therefore, in the hot months, one should not wear clothes that are too thin, and in cold seasons, one should not wear clothes that are excessively warm. In extreme heat, it is suitable to sleep wearing single-layered prepared silk garments, or to cover the waist, abdomen, knees, and calves with a quilt. Winter cotton clothes should not be made too thick; when feeling cold, add layers gradually. This way, one will not suffer from sudden cold or heat. Thus, when it is cold but one feels hot, reducing clothing prevents damage from excessive warmth; when it is hot but one feels cold, adding clothing prevents damage from excessive cold. If one arbitrarily takes off or puts on clothes during changes of cold and heat, one will be injured by cold and heat. When cold, add clothes gradually; when hot, remove clothes gradually. The area from the waist and abdomen down to the shins should remain at a constant temperature. The area from the chest up to the head should be slightly cool. Cool but not freezing, warm but not drying. If clothes become wet with sweat, change them immediately. Do not wear clothes that have been scented with incense while their residual heat has not dissipated. If cold and heat are balanced, and the body and spirit are tranquil, diseases and rashes will not arise, and longevity will naturally extend.

Diet serves to nourish one's blood and qi (vital energy). Blood enriches the physical form, while qi protects the four limbs. The essence transforms into marrow and jing (essence); the secondary parts transform into muscle and flesh. One should not wait until extreme hunger to eat, nor wait until extreme fullness to clear the table. One should maintain a state akin to being somewhat full amidst hunger, or somewhat hungry amidst fullness. The Daoist Master Qing Niu said: "One should eat before feeling hungry and drink before feeling thirsty." This is to avoid forced eating and drinking. One should also not consume hot food followed immediately by cold items, as this will cause conflict between cold and heat and lead to illness. Generally, one should first eat hot food, then warm food, and only then can one consume a small amount of cold food. Food that is too hot damages the bones, and food that is too cold damages the tendons. Although hot, it must not burn the lips; although cold, it must not freeze the teeth. Generally, warm food is superior to cold, small amounts are superior to large, cooked food is superior to raw, and bland taste is superior to salty. After sweating from eating hot food, one should not wash the face, as this causes loss of complexion and a sensation like insects crawling on the face. Washing hair after a full meal induces Toufeng (head wind disease). One should not indulge excessively in foods one likes, for indulgence harms the body and causes disease. One should not completely discard foods one dislikes, for complete avoidance leads to imbalance of zang-qi (visceral qi) (e.g., avoiding bitter taste entirely weakens Heart Qi, avoiding salty taste entirely weakens Kidney Qi). Therefore, Heaven has the Five Elements, humans have five Zang organs, and food has five flavors. Thus, the Liver corresponds to Wood, the Heart to Fire, the Spleen to Earth, the Lungs to Metal, and the Kidneys to Water. Sour flavor enters the Liver, bitter enters the Heart, sweet enters the Spleen, pungent enters the Lungs, and salty enters the Kidneys. Wood generates Fire, Fire generates Earth, Earth generates Metal, Metal generates Water, and Water generates Wood. Wood controls Earth, Earth controls Water, Water controls Fire, Fire controls Metal, and Metal controls Wood. Therefore, in all seasons, one should not excessively consume flavors corresponding to the organ generated by or controlling the target organ, as these can injure the generated organ. It is advisable to consume flavors that generate each other to assist the Wang Qi (prosperous qi). If the prosperous Zang organ is not injured and its Qi is enhanced, and diet is moderate and temperature appropriate, various diseases will not arise, and long life will naturally be achieved.