Many people believe that health preservation is about going with the flow: drinking water only when thirsty, and resting only when tired. While this approach to health preservation has no major drawbacks, it is not comprehensive enough. Professor Zhang Hude from the Health Preservation Department of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine states that on this basis, if one thinks in reverse and takes a proactive approach to health preservation, the body can be adjusted to its optimal state.
1. Rest even when not tired. Feeling extremely exhausted is a sign that the body is sounding an "alarm." At this point, a long period of rest for recovery is not very effective. Conversely, resting proactively when you don't feel tired allows for faster and better physical recovery, making you less prone to illness. This is the principle behind having a two-day weekend break every five days. There are many forms of rest; for example, you can rest your eyes and relax for a moment during a work break.
2. Drink water even when not thirsty. In the morning after waking up and at night before bed, you should drink a glass of water, even if you don't feel thirsty. This is especially important for the elderly, whose bodies may be slow to react and who might not feel thirsty even when dehydrated. By the time they actually feel thirsty, their bodies are already severely dehydrated. Therefore, it is recommended that the elderly carry a water bottle when going to the park for exercise or for a long walk.
3. Cough even when not catching a cold. Coughing is a protective conditioned reflex of the body for the respiratory system. It helps to clear phlegm or foreign objects from the trachea and expel harmful pollutants from the lungs. When you feel an itch or discomfort in your throat, don't suppress the cough. Instead, try to expel the pollutants promptly. However, avoid coughing for too long to prevent damage to the bronchi.
4. See a doctor even when not sick. There is a saying in Traditional Chinese Medicine: "Treat the undiseased," which emphasizes preventing illness and detecting its early signs. Therefore, don't wait until you are sick before thinking about going to the hospital. Just like maintaining a car, you should "maintain" your body regularly. The best way is to get a health check-up at the hospital and have a doctor help analyze any potential problems, thereby preventing illnesses before they occur.
5. Be happy even without a happy occasion. A happy mood can have a beneficial effect on the body, keeping the pulse, blood pressure, respiration, digestive secretions, and metabolism in a balanced and coordinated state, which improves the body's immunity and disease resistance. You can keep a smile on your face by talking about happy things, associating with humorous people, watching cross-talk and comedy shows, and reading humorous books.