Traditional Chinese wellness emphasizes harmony between humans, nature, environment, and society, respecting the body's inherent rhythms. Through theories and practices like unifying body and mind, balancing activity and rest, and integrating labor with leisure, it aims to prevent minor issues from escalating and prepare for future needs. Thus, regularity is paramount in wellness—adhering to schedules for work, rest, exercise, sleep, and all physiological activities is essential for achieving health and longevity.So what are the methods for timely health preservation?
Timely Rest
In daily life, many people only rest when they feel tired, but by then it's already too late. When fatigue is felt, it has reached a significant level, requiring more time to recover.Excessive fatigue creates vulnerabilities to illness. Taking short breaks after periods of work, balancing effort with rest, not only quickly alleviates fatigue but also enhances work and study efficiency. It also helps regulate and balance the body's yin and yang energies and blood circulation.
Use the restroom on schedule
Many people only go to the bathroom when the urge is strong, sometimes even holding it in. This is extremely detrimental to health. When waste remains in the body too long, it can cause constipation or damage the bladder from overfilling. It may even lead to the reabsorption of toxic substances from feces and urine, resulting in "self-poisoning." Therefore, develop the habit of regular bowel movements, preferably in the morning.Regular bowel movements help prevent constipation, reduce the risk of colorectal cancer, and benefit those with hemorrhoids.
Go to bed at a consistent time
Many people only sleep when they feel sleepy, mistakenly believing drowsiness signals the need for rest. In reality, drowsiness indicates significant brain fatigue, and sleep should not be delayed until this point. Establishing a consistent bedtime routine not only protects the brain but also facilitates falling asleep, improves sleep quality, and reduces insomnia.
Eat meals on schedule
Some people skip meals unless they feel hungry. This practice can damage the stomach and weaken the body's disease resistance. Food remains in the stomach for only four to five hours. By the time hunger strikes, the stomach is already empty. At this point, the gastric mucosa may "self-digest" gastric juices, increasing the risk of gastritis and peptic ulcers.
Exercise Regularly
In recent years, China has seen a trend of age-related diseases like diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, coronary heart disease, and osteoarthritis affecting younger individuals. The number of young and middle-aged patients is increasing, with a particularly alarming rise in young people with fatty liver disease. These conditions are linked to lack of exercise, overeating, and excessive alcohol consumption. Therefore, young people should pay attention to their lifestyle and develop the habit of regular physical activity.Regular daily exercise, once established as a habit, greatly benefits health.
Drink Water Regularly
Thirst signals significant dehydration, making timely rehydration crucial. Studies show individuals with consistent water-drinking habits experience markedly lower rates of constipation and urinary tract stones compared to those who drink infrequently. Additionally, regular hydration helps prevent serious conditions like myocardial infarction and stroke.Therefore, older adults, individuals with atherosclerosis, hyperlipidemia, high blood viscosity, coronary heart disease, or stroke history, as well as pregnant women, adolescents, and infants who have relatively higher water requirements, should especially cultivate the habit of regular water intake. Schedule Regular Health Checkups Annual health screenings frequently detect numerous cases of serious illnesses such as hepatitis, tuberculosis, hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.In truth, many diseases are difficult to detect early based solely on self-perception. Only through regular hospital health checkups can they be identified early for timely treatment. Therefore, it is essential to undergo regular medical examinations.