Little M’s Health Tragedy: The Hidden Misconceptions Behind It
IT white-collar worker Little M leads a health-conscious lifestyle that many aspire to: waking up early for breakfast, taking a short nap at noon, having coffee in the afternoon, and consistently exercising on the treadmill in the evening.
Logically, such habits should be a model of health. However, fate dealt him a severe blow—during a night run, Little M collapsed from excessive exercise, ultimately paying the price with his life.
In the face of this tragedy, people cannot help but ask, “He clearly had health awareness; why did he end up this way?” The truth behind this lies in a common yet serious health misconception—incorrect timing for exercise.
The Wisdom of the Huangdi Neijing: Health is Not Just About Exercise, But Also About Timing
In modern society, many choose to exercise in the evening, believing it to be a good way to relieve stress and maintain health. However, the wisdom from the Huangdi Neijing (Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Medicine) tells us that the evening is not the best time for exercise.
According to TCM theory, it is said: “Sleep early and rise early, rise late and sleep late; spring is for growth, summer for flourishing, autumn for harvest, and winter for storage.” This means that the body’s yang energy is at its peak during the day, while at night, the body should enter a state of rest and recovery, avoiding vigorous exercise.
The evening is when yin energy is most abundant, and the body is in a natural state of relaxation and repair. Engaging in intense exercise at this time not only fails to stimulate the body’s positive energy but may also disrupt the balance of yin and yang within.
Little M’s tragedy was precisely due to his long-term night running, which led to an imbalance of yin and yang, causing excessive fatigue and ultimately resulting in a collapse of his health.
Choosing the Right Time for Exercise: Daytime is the Best Period
There is a saying in the Huangdi Neijing: “Heaven and man are one, in harmony with nature.” This phrase tells us that a healthy life should follow the rhythms of nature.
During the day, especially in the morning and forenoon, the yang energy is at its strongest. At this time, the air is fresh, and oxygen is abundant, making it suitable for light to moderate exercise. Morning runs, brisk walking, and other gentle exercises not only help activate internal energy and regulate emotions but also enhance work efficiency.
Especially, exercising in the morning promotes blood circulation, activates metabolism, and awakens bodily functions. During daytime exercise, sunlight, fresh air, and a safe environment help the body better adapt to the outside world, enhancing immunity and effectively combating disease.
In contrast, the air quality at night is poorer, lighting is dim, and streets are unsafe, especially in modern cities where traffic accidents and other potential risks can occur at any time. Therefore, the hidden dangers of running at night are not only harmful to health but may also threaten life safety.
The Potential Crisis of Night Running: Imbalance of Yin and Yang and Physical Exhaustion
Many people have become accustomed to night running, believing it effectively relieves daytime work stress. However, long-term night running not only disrupts the balance of yin and yang but may also lead to a series of health risks. TCM holds that nighttime should be a time for rest, and the body’s energy should be used for recovery rather than consumed by vigorous exercise.
Little M’s case serves as a warning. His long-term night running placed his body in a state of “excessive fatigue,” neglecting repair and recovery, leading to decreased immunity, increased cardiovascular burden, and ultimately resulting in health issues until tragedy struck.
Moreover, night running poses additional external risks. For instance, insufficient lighting on city streets, poor air quality, and traffic hazards can lead to accidents. For many who are used to running at night, these potential risks are often overlooked until they result in irreversible consequences.
Scientific Exercise: Walking with the Wisdom of TCM
How can we avoid a tragedy like Little M’s? The answer lies in the wisdom of the Huangdi Neijing. We should choose exercise times that align with our physiological rhythms, integrating TCM’s health preservation theories with modern life to truly achieve a healthy body.
According to TCM recommendations, spring and summer are the best seasons for exercise, as yang energy is abundant, making it suitable for outdoor activities and aerobic exercises; while in autumn and winter, vigorous exercise should be reduced, focusing more on internal nourishment and repair.
In addition to choosing the right time for exercise, we should also adjust exercise methods according to individual constitution. Different people have different physical needs, and the intensity and type of exercise should vary accordingly.Moderate exercise, reasonable rest, and diet will help maintain the balance and health of the body.
Start with Small Changes: Find the Health Path That Suits You Best
Changing poor exercise habits is often not easy, especially when they have become ingrained in our daily lives. However, as TCM teaches: “Preventive treatment of disease” (治未病), health management should begin with early adjustments.
Little M’s story reminds us that health is not achieved overnight; it requires vigilance in every detail of life to find a rhythm that suits us.
If you are accustomed to exercising in the evening, consider adjusting your exercise time to the morning or forenoon. The morning sunlight and fresh air will bring you different vitality and energy. Such small changes can gradually lead to improvements in your health, allowing you to enjoy more vitality and ease.
Conclusion: Align with Nature, Health Begins with Change
Incorrect exercise habits are often subtle; they hide in our blind pursuit of health until one day they begin to harm our bodies.
To truly achieve a healthy body, we must not only focus on the intensity of exercise but also on the timing and methods of exercise. Following the laws of nature and listening to the body’s signals will allow us to go further and maintain lasting health.
Let us start today, return to nature, follow the wisdom of TCM, choose the most suitable exercise time for ourselves, and gradually change poor habits to safeguard our health.
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