Elderly People Can Live Longer by Being Active with Their Mouths
According to the physiological characteristics of the human body, one should "be active as the main principle, combining movement with stillness". In daily life, if the elderly can be "active with their mouths", it will be greatly beneficial for strengthening the heart and body, and for prolonging life.
Frequent Small Meals
The digestive and cardiac functions of the elderly tend to decline. If the amount of food consumed in one meal is too large, it will加重 (加重 -加重) the burden on the digestive system and the heart, which is not conducive to health and can also lead to weight gain. Therefore, experts in traditional health methods suggest that the elderly should eat small meals frequently, 4-5 times a day, and eat until they are about 70-80% full. Those with stomach, intestinal, pancreatic, biliary, or heart problems, as well as the obese, should pay special attention to this.
Chewing Diligently
Due to tooth loss or partial loss, the elderly may not be able to chew food very finely, which affects the absorption of nutrients. Therefore, the elderly should eat slowly and chew thoroughly, which is beneficial for the digestion and absorption of food. In addition, frequent chewing also helps with dental health and delays the atrophy of the chewing muscles in the face.
Tapping Teeth Diligently
Teeth tapping is a traditional health practice that is simple, easy to do, and very effective. According to historical records, Tao Hongjing, a famous physician during the reign of Emperor Wu of the Liang Dynasty 1400 years ago, had firm and intact teeth and a robust body even in his eighties. His main fitness method was teeth tapping. He believed that "teeth are the surplus of muscles and bones", and tapping teeth would strengthen muscles and bones and refresh the spirit. During the Ming Dynasty, there was a person named Lian Qian who, according to historical records, lived to be 150 years old. His secret to longevity was: "Every morning upon waking, tap your teeth 36 times." It is said that the great Song Dynasty poet Su Dongpo also had the habit of tapping teeth for fitness. He once said: "After midnight, put on a robe, face southeast, sit cross-legged, and tap your teeth 36 times. You will immediately feel refreshed and clear-headed." Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty was the longest-reigning and longest-lived emperor in Chinese history. One of his secrets to longevity was also "one should often tap one's teeth". Therefore, teeth are not just for chewing; they are also closely related to human health.
Swallowing Saliva Diligently
Saliva contains amylase, mucin, globulin, lysozyme, growth hormone, and other components. It is believed that frequently swallowing saliva has effects such as "irrigating the five internal organs and six bowels, moisturizing the limbs and skin", strengthening the function of the spleen and stomach, and promoting digestion and absorption. Hence, there is a saying that "swallowing saliva prolongs life". The elderly can practice "saliva swallowing exercises" once in the morning, at noon, and in the evening each day. By placing the tongue on the palate and slowly swallowing the saliva that is produced, repeating this several times can calm the mind and spirit.
Talking Diligently
A foreign psychologist once conducted an experiment on the effects of loneliness on the human body. The subjects, who were isolated from the world, all showed dull and麻木 (麻木 -麻木) expressions after two days, and their coordination and agility were greatly reduced. Many other results also show that people without close friends and who participate in few social activities have higher rates of illness and shorter lifespans, while elderly people who are active in talking are healthier. Therefore, the elderly should often talk with others to broaden their minds, soothe their qi and blood, and be beneficial for their physical and mental health.
Smiling Diligently
As the saying goes: "Anger hastens aging, but laughter makes you young", "A smile makes you ten years younger; a worry makes your hair turn gray". Laughter is the best medicine for the psychological health of the elderly, a good remedy for prolonging life and preventing and curing diseases. In ancient and modern China and abroad, many people have used humor as a means of treatment, achieving good results for certain illnesses. Some doctors say that laughter can be called a "super tranquilizer". With laughter, you will discover that the world is more wonderful and life is more beautiful. Therefore, the elderly should often smile, and if they do so, it will be beneficial for prolonging their lives.