Frugality Can Be Harmful to Health
As a traditional Chinese virtue, frugality, though abandoned by many young people, is still practiced by the vast majority of the elderly. They save on water and electricity, and cut back on food and expenses, but they don't realize that some excessive saving behaviors can harm their health. In this regard, Tao Liqun, a researcher at the China Research Center on Aging, stated that frugality should not be abandoned, but everything should be in moderation. The elderly should indeed change those saving behaviors that may affect their health.
Eating: Leftovers Harm the Spleen and Stomach. When it comes to food, the elderly are particularly frugal. Stir-fried dishes that can't be finished are eaten for the next meal; milk that is about to expire and apples that are partially rotten are also consumed after being dealt with. Little do they know that if leftovers are not stored properly, they can easily breed a large number of pathogenic bacteria. The elderly have weaker digestive systems, making them more susceptible to adverse reactions like diarrhea caused by leftovers. The elderly should change their mindset and try not to cook too much food. If there are indeed leftovers, reheat them thoroughly before eating again. Furthermore, many elderly people use takeout boxes to reheat leftovers, which is particularly undesirable. Due to material issues, toxic substances can be released from the takeout boxes during the heating process, seriously harming health.
Wearing: Underwear Loses Sweat-Absorbing Ability When Worn for Too Long. The elderly are used to wearing the same piece of underwear for several years, or wearing it once and washing it only after several days. These habits are not good. Because when underwear is worn for too long, its ability to absorb sweat and keep warm is greatly reduced. Professor Zhang Hude of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine believes that an elderly person's underwear should be washed at least once every three days and dried in the sun after washing; underwear should be replaced at least once a year.
Living: Dim Lights Lead to Bumps and Falls. To save electricity, many elderly people avoid turning on lights whenever possible, often watching TV in the dark late at night. This not only damages their eyesight but also makes them prone to accidents like falls and bumps. In an elderly person's home, the lights don't need to be too bright, but they should be bright enough to see the furniture and layout clearly. Additionally, using cold water instead of hot water for washing to save on water and electricity is more harmful to those with a weak constitution, especially those with rheumatism.
Using: Street-Bought Reading Glasses Can Harm Eyes. Many elderly people buy cheap reading glasses from street vendors. Over time, this can easily worsen symptoms like eye fatigue and blurred vision, causing significant damage to the eyes. When getting reading glasses, the elderly should first have an eye examination and optometry at a hospital, and also rule out eye diseases such as cataracts and glaucoma.
Medicine: Expired Medication Should Be Regularly Cleared Out. It is recommended to clean out the medicine box every three months and dispose of expired medication.