Don't Be Too "Diligent" After 50: Some Things Are Better Done Lazily
Don't Be Too "Diligent" After 50: Some Things Are Better Done LazilyI. Exercise Isn't Always Better in Greater QuantityActually, no
Don't Be Too "Diligent" After 50: Some Things Are Better Done Lazily
After the age of 50, our body functions gradually decline and many habits need to be adjusted. We often say "diligence is good," but we don't realize that excessive exercise, excessive frugality, frequent bathing, and overuse of health supplements, these seemingly healthy behaviors, if not controlled, can actually burden our bodies.
Sun Da Ma is 58 this year and has always been a particularly diligent person. She wakes up early every day to go for a brisk walk in the park for an hour. In summer, she would bathe almost three times a day, and even in winter, she wouldn't relax and would bathe every other day. She believes that after turning 50, you need to exercise and move more to stay healthy. However, one day, Sun Da Ma suddenly felt pain in her knee, making it difficult to walk. She was puzzled, "I exercise every day and bathe frequently, why do I have these problems?" So she went to the hospital for a check-up, and the doctor told her that the knee problem was due to excessive exercise, and her dry skin was caused by bathing too often, washing away the skin's protective layer. Sun Da Ma only then realized that she had been "too diligent."
I. Exercise Isn't Always Better in Greater Quantity
When it comes to health, many people associate it with exercise, believing that more is always better. Especially when we get older and start experiencing various ailments, exercise seems like a magic cure. But is it really the more, the better?
Actually, no. After 50, exercise should focus on "moderation," otherwise, it may have the opposite effect.
After the age of 50, our bones, joints, and muscles are not as resilient as they were in our youth. With age, articular cartilage begins to degenerate, muscles gradually decrease, and if we continue to exercise at high intensity like young people, our bodies can't handle it.
For example, jogging and long-distance brisk walking, which seem like gentle exercises, actually put a lot of stress on the knees. For people over 50, knee problems may arise at any time. We need to be more cautious in protecting our knees during exercise and opt for low-impact exercises. Exercises like Tai Chi and Eight Brocades are not only gentle but also help train our balance and flexibility.
The time and frequency of exercise should also be planned reasonably. For those over 50, 3 to 5 times a week, 30 minutes to an hour of moderate-intensity exercise is enough. Excessive or prolonged exercise can easily lead to fatigue and a decline in the body's immunity, making us more susceptible to illness.
The joints and muscles of middle-aged people are not as flexible as when they were young. If we don't warm up sufficiently, we are more likely to experience muscle strains or joint injuries. Stretching after exercise is also crucial and helps the body relax better, preventing post-exercise stiffness and soreness.
In short, after 50, exercise requires wisdom and cannot be done with brute force, nor with the mindset of the more, the better. It's about "moderation," finding the right exercise style and rhythm for ourselves, to truly achieve the goal of maintaining health and slowing down aging. The secret to longevity is not in relentless exercise but in how to scientifically and moderately keep our bodies vibrant and healthy.
II. The More Frugality, the More Our Bodies Suffer
Many people, after reaching a certain age, stick to frugality their whole lives, believing that eating leftover food is fine and saving money is important. This lifestyle might not have been a problem when you were younger, but after 50, your body's functions start declining. Eating poorly and unhealthily will only hurt you in the long run.
After 50, our digestive system gradually weakens and our nutrient absorption efficiency decreases. We need to eat more refined and diverse foods to ensure our bodies have enough nutrients. If we continue to be too frugal, our nutrient intake will be significantly reduced. The result of nutrient deficiency is obvious: weakened immunity and potentially even chronic diseases.
The problem of leftovers cannot be overlooked. Many people think that food waste is a pity, so they store leftover food in the refrigerator and eat it the next day. This might not be a problem before 50, but as we get older, our stomachs become weaker and our bodies can no longer handle it. Besides the loss of nutrients during reheating, harmful substances might also be produced.
As we age, our bodies need more of certain nutrients, such as high-quality protein, vitamins, and minerals, most of which are found in fresh meat, vegetables, and fruits. If we only focus on saving money and eat simple carbohydrates or buy discounted expired food, it will be difficult for our bodies to obtain comprehensive nutrition.
Frugality is a virtue, but health cannot be saved. Especially after 50, excessive frugality can burden our bodies. A healthy diet is a long-term investment, and we can't ignore our bodies' needs for the sake of short-term savings. Instead of trying to save money on daily meals, we should change our mindset and spend money on quality ingredients and proper combinations. This is truly responsible frugality. This not only ensures the necessary nutrients for our bodies but also prevents health problems caused by improper diet, reduces medical expenses, and ultimately achieves the true purpose of "frugality."
III. The More We Wash, the More Skin Problems We Have
Many people think bathing is about hygiene, especially as we get older. However, frequent bathing won't make you healthier. It can actually cause a lot of skin problems. Especially after 50, our skin becomes more fragile, and excessive cleaning will only worsen the situation.
After 50, our skin is no longer as elastic and hydrated as it was in our youth. Thinning and dryness are common. If we bathe too frequently, especially with hot water and harsh shower gels, we will wash away this sebum layer, making our skin drier and more sensitive. You may feel clean after showering, but your skin has actually lost its protective barrier.
Especially in winter, when the air is already dry, some people find their skin itchy after showering. This is because the sebum layer is washed away, the skin's natural barrier is broken, and moisture is lost faster. In this case, skin problems become more frequent, and bathing doesn't make you "clean and healthy."
In summer, although we sweat more, we shouldn't bathe frequently just because we feel sticky. If you feel sweaty after a day, use lukewarm water to rinse it off, but don't use strongly alkaline shower gels. Gentle cleaning products are more suitable for this age group.
People who bathe frequently tend to ignore another problem: excessive rubbing. We often use towels or loofahs to rub our skin vigorously when showering, feeling like we've scrubbed away a lot of "dirt." In reality, this vigorous rubbing can cause tiny injuries to the epidermis, especially for those over 50, which can easily lead to inflammation or infection due to these injuries.
Therefore, we don't need to bathe too often. Choose a suitable frequency and be a little lazy, it's actually a way to protect your skin. Instead of frequent cleaning, learn how to properly care for your skin and maintain its natural balance. So, being a little lazy about cleanliness might be the wise way to care for your skin after 50.
IV. Excessive Use of Supplements
Now, many people start stockpiling supplements when they get older, with fish oil, calcium tablets, and vitamins piled higher than medication, making them feel like they have a guarantee of health. However, in reality, supplements are not a universal cure. Taking too many supplements can actually cause problems for our bodies.
First of all, supplements are not medication. They don't have the ability to directly treat diseases and are mainly meant to supplement nutrients that might be lacking in our daily diets. If your diet structure is already balanced and you don't have any obvious deficiency symptoms, blindly taking supplements is unnecessary and might even be counterproductive.
Not to mention, some people think that "the more, the better." They take a handful of fish oil, calcium tablets every day, and buy whatever supplement they see advertised. Little do they know that excessive calcium supplementation can lead to calcified blood vessels, increasing the risk of heart disease. Excessive intake of unsaturated fatty acids in fish oil can actually thin the blood and increase the risk of bleeding.
Many women, after entering menopause, feel that they have weak blood and a cold body, and start taking various tonics like donkey-hide gelatin and deer antler. However, everyone's physique is different, and excessive supplementation can cause endocrine disorders.
Most importantly, many supplements are actually "food-supplementing" in nature. They don't have the same immediate effect as medication. Spending a lot of money on a bunch of unnecessary supplements and taking them every day actually doesn't help much. Especially those supplements that tout "longevity," with lavish advertisements, have not actually undergone rigorous clinical verification.
Therefore, the correct way to use supplements is actually quite simple: take them in moderation based on your own body's needs, under the guidance of a doctor or nutritionist, rather
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