In today's fast-paced world, people are constantly busy with work and daily life, often neglecting their health. This has led many to live in a state of suboptimal health. Therefore, it is crucial to prioritize self-care, especially by practicing three key habits after meals to promote longevity and well-being.
"After eating, rinse your mouth several times to keep teeth strong and breath fresh.After each meal, massage your face and abdomen to promote the circulation of bodily fluids. Following a meal, take a leisurely stroll." This passage, from the Ming Dynasty physician Gong Juzhong's "Book of Longevity and Happiness: Chapter on Nourishing Life: Diet," outlines three essential post-meal practices: rinsing the mouth, massaging the face and abdomen, and walking.
Rinsing after meals not only helps clear food debris but also removes harmful bacteria and parasites in the mouth, effectively preventing cavities and periodontal disease. Some may wonder: Is it better to use specialized mouthwash after meals?Zhou Junbo, Director of the Stomatology Department at Nanjing Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine Hospital, explains that while our mouths contain harmful bacteria, they also harbor beneficial microbial communities. Long-term use of antibacterial mouthwashes can disrupt this oral flora balance, ultimately harming oral health. Generally, rinsing with diluted saltwater or tea yields the best results.
"After each meal, massage your face and abdomen with your hands to promote the circulation of bodily fluids.""Body fluids" here have two meanings: digestive juices and saliva. Massaging the abdomen after eating promotes gastrointestinal motility and blood circulation in the abdominal cavity, aiding digestion and absorption. The technique involves using the palms to massage the abdomen in a slow, gentle, clockwise motion centered on the navel until the abdomen feels slightly warm. Massaging the face is the well-known "dry face wash," which stimulates saliva secretion.Zhou Junbo explains that saliva's primary functions include moistening and cleansing the mouth, eliminating bacteria that cause dental plaque, softening food for easier swallowing, and breaking down starches for digestion. The method involves rubbing both palms together until warm, then using them to massage the face: starting from the center of the forehead, smooth downward across the face to the chin, then move upward from the sides back to the forehead. Continue until the face feels gradually warm.It should be noted that individuals with high blood pressure should massage downward, while those with low blood pressure should massage upward. "Strolling leisurely" refers to walking at a relaxed and natural pace.Li Jing, Associate Professor and exercise health expert at Nanjing Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Hospital, recommends a leisurely walk about 30 minutes after meals for fitness. This aids digestion, boosts metabolism, prevents obesity, and improves sleep quality. Elderly or physically weaker individuals should walk at 60-70 steps per minute; generally, men should aim for 80-90 steps per minute, women 70-80 steps; and physically fit young adults can maintain a pace of 100-120 steps per minute.