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Editor’s Note
Modern people pay great attention to health preservation. What is health preservation? Renowned physicians have summarized it for you. Here are 12 super simple health guidelines that you should save and practice!
1
“Follow the principles of Yin and Yang, harmonize with the techniques, eat and drink in moderation, maintain regularity in daily activities, and avoid unnecessary labor.” This phrase from the Huangdi Neijing is well remembered and practiced by Jin Shiyuan.
After waking up at 6:30 AM, Jin Shiyuan performs “dry washing” of his face, rubs his ears, and massages the soles of his feet to promote blood circulation throughout his body. He then goes to the park downstairs to take a few deep breaths and spends about ten minutes doing a set of health exercises. For over a decade, he has never missed this routine, no matter how busy he is.
In addition, he insists on walking every day, covering at least four miles. “People need to stay active; use it or lose it. The most important thing is to persist,” says Jin Shiyuan.
2
“Health preservation is not just about nurturing; it’s about being active.” Having goals in life increases the chances of longevity. Even as people age, they should continue to paint, write, read, and pursue many goals.
From Ji Xianlin, Yang Jiang, Qian Xuesen to Academician Wu Jieping, they all share a common trait: they persist in their work. This is the secret to longevity among centenarians.
Keep thinking, and you won’t age.
3
The best exercise in the world is walking. Walking is excellent for maintaining normal blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and weight.
What is the best way to walk? Three words: Three, Five, Seven.
Three: Walk 3 kilometers in at least 30 minutes at a time.
Five: Exercise at least 5 times a week.
Seven: Refers to the appropriate amount of exercise; excessive exercise is harmful. The appropriate amount means exercising until your age plus heart rate equals 170. For example, if I am 50 years old, I should exercise until my heart rate reaches 120, totaling 170. This level of exercise promotes excellent metabolism. If your health is good, you can do more; if not, do less, and adjust your walking according to your capacity.
4
Xu Runshan states that he has no special health preservation habits, just a mindset of contentment. A good body benefits from a good attitude: “In everything, just seek to get by; this heart needs to be calm and steady.”
Life is not easy; there are few things that go smoothly. One must learn to find joy in life. Living is a victory; being angry only harms oneself.
5
The best way to preserve health is to “sleep when it’s time to sleep, wake when it’s time to wake”. A stable and regular biological clock is more important than anything else. Traditional Chinese Medicine states that sleep is also a form of health preservation; it is the best way to generate Yang Qi in the body. During sleep, the body’s organs recover and rest. Try to avoid staying up late, especially sudden all-nighters. Irregular late nights are more harmful than regular late nights.
6
More and more people like to use various supplements for health preservation and anti-aging, but Master Yan Dexin does not agree.
He once said in an interview: “I never take random supplements; I only take a little blood-activating and spleen-regulating herbs to ensure I am hungry at every meal, enjoy every bite, and remain energetic and healthy.”
He believes that a weak spleen and stomach is the root of aging. Therefore, to be healthy, one must control their diet rather than indiscriminately supplement.
Moreover, he believes that human longevity and aging are closely related to Qi and blood. When Qi and blood flow smoothly throughout the body, the organs are regulated, leading to health and longevity.
To this end, he has developed a set of exercise methods based on his physical condition: every morning and evening, he lies flat on his bed with his palms under his waist and alternately raises his legs 100 times, which exercises his abdominal muscles and promotes smooth Qi and blood circulation. Although he is driven to and from work, he often walks instead of taking a car to enhance Qi and blood flow.
7
The late renowned physician from Wuxi, Master Zou Yunxiang, and his family have been experts in nephrology for three generations. His daughter, Zou Yanqin, is even honored as a “Master of National Medicine”.
Although the family’s dietary principles are not particularly special, there is one rule that cannot be broken: Zou Yunxiang established a family rule for his children: no cold drinks.
Why is that?
It is well known that “the stomach prefers warmth and dislikes cold” and “the kidneys also prefer warmth and dislike cold”; thus, cold foods can greatly harm these two organs.
The Qi and blood, as well as the nutrients from grains, must be absorbed and transformed by the spleen and stomach; the metabolic waste and toxins that are inadvertently ingested must be expelled by the kidneys. Therefore, protecting the spleen and stomach and kidneys is crucial for maintaining health.
Thus, regardless of age or gender, everyone should consume fewer cold drinks.
8
Living a “bitter life” can prevent cancer. The two characteristics of a “bitter life” are eating coarse grains and being diligent in work.
In terms of diet, focus on quick stir-fried dishes with a small amount of meat and plenty of vegetables, rich in coarse fibers, which can satisfy taste while avoiding the prolonged retention of toxins produced by meat, thus reducing chronic damage to the intestines.
In terms of lifestyle, prioritize walking and cycling. Instead of driving every day and then going to the gym, it is better to return to the most primitive means of transportation.
9
Zhu Nansun frankly states that the key to women’s health preservation is not about consuming expensive supplements or skincare products, but rather about being happy. “If you are always worried and anxious, diseases will follow. Nowadays, breast hyperplasia and even breast cancer are more common, which I believe is related to modern people’s excessive worry and stress.”
10
We all have the experience that illness often has triggers, which are often fatigue, mental tension, emotional repression, and so on.
Our bodies have the ability to eliminate viruses; what we need to do is assist them by enhancing our immune capacity. Rest is the best way to achieve this goal. The old saying “Three parts treatment, seven parts nurturing” is not without reason.
11
At home, do not have “small quarrels every day, big quarrels every few days”, nor should you become a stagnant family where no one speaks for half a month.
However, how to maintain harmony in the family is an art. Four issues must be addressed: first, respect the elders; second, educate the children well; third, handle the relationship between in-laws; fourth, and this is especially important, couples must love each other; this is the core.
12
Deeply influenced by the orthodox Confucianism of Hunan and Huizhou cultures, Sun Guangrong’s character embodies the loyalty and strength of Hunan people and the simplicity and righteousness of Anhui people. His family background is profound; his father, from Anhui, is well-versed in both ancient and modern knowledge, while his mother, from Hunan, is cultured, gentle, and kind. The Sun family motto “Frugality nurtures integrity, diligence compensates for shortcomings, self-discipline, and kindness towards others” has profoundly influenced his way of life, allowing him to maintain a peaceful mindset and not be overly concerned with fame and fortune. He believes that a calm mind and a kind heart lead to smooth Qi flow, resulting in a balanced body with Yin and Yang in harmony and balanced Qi and blood.
Editor: Wang Di
Reviewed by: Zhu Luyun
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