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When sleeping, the bed should be slightly elevated so that damp-cold Qi from the ground cannot invade the body, and dampness will not stagnate. Evil Qi invades the human body often because Yin-damp Qi from the earth counterflows upward. The bedroom must be kept clean; cleanliness allows one to receive the pure and spiritual Qi of heaven and earth, while uncleanness leads to receiving stale and turbid Qi. This turbid Qi disturbs the living space, causing endeavors to fail and foundations to crumble; the same applies to the body itself. Therefore, one should bathe frequently to maintain bodily cleanliness.

The *Huangsu Forty-Four Prescriptions Classic* states: When preparing for sleep just before closing the eyes, stroke the heart area three times with the hand, close the eyes, and softly chant: "Tai Ling Nine Palaces, Tai Yi guards the chamber, hundred deities occupy their positions, soul and spirit are harmonious, granting long life without death, extinguishing evil and凶险 (danger). After chanting, go to sleep." This is called the method of "Nine Palaces Hidden Incantation for Soothing the Soul during Sleep." Practicing this regularly calms the soul and spirit, ensuring eternal auspiciousness.

Cai Jitong of Xishan said: Sleep on your side with knees bent, and upon waking, lie straight with limbs extended, doing this morning and night. First let the mind settle into sleep, then let the eyes close. Zhu Xi considered this the subtlety of the "state before emotional arousal" (*Wei Fa Zhi Miao*). The *Qianjin Fang* states: Sleep alone in a state of slight intoxication, use a soft pillow, keep feet warm under covers, calm the heart-fire, and naturally close the eyes to sleep. Lu Pingquan said: Every night before wanting to sleep, walk a thousand steps first.

The *Analects* says: Do not speak while eating, do not converse while sleeping; lying down prohibits excessive talking and laughing. The five zang organs are like bells and chimes; if not hung properly, they cannot produce sound (implying organs need quietude to function). There are three sleeping postures for latent pathogenic Qi: Sleeping like a dragon involves bending the knees; sleeping like a cold monkey involves hugging the knees; sleeping like a turtle or crane involves pressing the heels against the knees.

Among all beings in heaven and earth, humans are the most precious. The head resembles heaven, and the feet resemble earth. The body inherited from parents should be preserved; among the Five Blessings described by Ji Chou, longevity is the supreme one. Three taboos are essential for health preservation: extreme anger, excessive desires, and heavy drunkenness. If any one of these occurs, one must guard against the loss of True Yuan Qi. To seek longevity, one must first regulate temperament; if liver fire does not flare up, the spirit remains stable. Wood does not turn to ash without fire; similarly, only by regulating temperament can one extend life. Endless greed exhausts will and essence; overuse of the mind scatters the Yuan Spirit. Physical labor dissipates Harmonious Qi; how else can the body be protected? If the mind is over-consumed, it becomes exhausted; if the form is over-tired, it collapses; if the spirit is over-injured, it becomes deficient; if Qi is over-damaged, it ceases. Those who wish to know the Way of Health Preservation should maintain regular joy and minimize anger. With sincere intention and upright thoughts, eliminate worries, follow reason to cultivate oneself, and remove vexations. In spring, exhale "Xu" facing the bright moon to support the Liver; at Summer Solstice, exhale "He" to calm Heart Fire. In autumn, stabilize breath to moisten the Metal-Lungs; in winter, exhale "Chui" to ensure safety of Kidney Water. Exhale "Xi" to clear San Jiao heat; throughout the four seasons, exhale "Hu" to transform food via the Spleen. Avoid making sound audible to ears; its efficacy surpasses divine elixirs. Comb hair frequently to move Qi, practice breathing exercises, tap teeth often, and swallow saliva. To achieve immortality, cultivate the Kunlun point (head); rub the face frequently with both hands. In spring, reduce sour and increase sweet foods; in winter, increase bitter and reduce salty foods. In summer, increase pungent and reduce bitter; in autumn, reduce pungent and increase sour. At the end of each season, slightly allow salty and sweet tastes; thus, the five zang organs remain safe. If these restrictions are fully observed, the body stays healthy; indulging in flavors leads to disease. In spring chill, do not wear thin cotton clothes; in summer sweat, change clothes promptly. In autumn and winter, gradually add cold clothing; do not wait until illness arises to take medicine. Summer is hardest to regulate due to latent Yin inside; avoid cold water. Avoid excessive consumption of melons, peaches, and raw/cold foods to prevent malaria and dysentery in autumn. Gentlemen observe fasting and abstinence; remember that when Heart Qi is strong, Kidney Qi declines. Keep the body full, not empty; daily diet must exclude greasy foods. Overeating harms the spirit; hunger harms the Stomach. Thirst harms Blood and Qi. Do not overindulge in eating and drinking to avoid bloating damaging the Heart and Lungs. Drinking forcibly after drunkenness or eating forcibly after satiety inevitably causes disease. Humans rely on diet to nourish the body; removing excess brings comfort. Walk a hundred steps after meals; massage the navel and abdomen to aid digestion. Drink clear water at midnight; expel turbid Qi from the Dantian. Alcohol can temper temperament, but too much invites illness. The Lung is the canopy; if injured, coughing and exhausting Jing damages life. Do not use salt to flavor tea; this invites thieves into the home. Lower Jiao deficiency-cold causes emaciation; injuring Kidney and Spleen increases disease risk. Guard against wind behind the head when sitting or lying; wind entering the brain shortens life. Sleeping in the wind after drunkenness or fullness brings disaster. Geese have order, dogs have righteousness, black carp faces north knowing loyalty. Humans lacking righteousness yet consuming them displease Heaven and Earth. Regulate the Five Pungents (spices) to preserve Yuan Spirit; failing to do so triggers floating Yang, leading to exhaustion of Jing and Spirit, and death. Whether at home or abroad, if thunderstorms arise, stand solemnly and revere Heavenly Majesty. In quiet rooms, collect the mind; avoid being bound by affection or fame. Relax your mindset to preserve fortune, avoiding premature graying in middle age. Standing tall between heaven and earth is difficult; enjoying food and warmth should bring humility. Reflecting on inability to repay great kindness, burn incense morning and evening to thank Heaven and Earth. How to achieve physical peace and longevity? By maintaining a peaceful chest and accumulating goodness. Cherish life, body, and Qi; please study this Song of Health Preservation carefully.