Traditional Chinese Medicine mentions the “five labors,” referring to the five types of harm caused to the body by excessive viewing, lying down, sitting, standing, and walking, each respectively related to the health of the liver, qi, muscles, bones, and tendons. Properly managing the five labors is crucial for maintaining overall health.
Prolonged viewing harms the blood. Extended eye use not only blurs vision but can also lead to dizziness because eye health is closely related to the liver. Protect your eyes by resting them periodically, gazing into the distance or doing eye exercises every half an hour. Regular consumption of foods like longan, black beans, red dates, etc., can effectively nourish the blood and boost cognitive abilities, which is especially beneficial for office workers who use their eyes frequently.
Prolonged lying down harms the qi. While adequate rest is good, excessive bed rest can weaken the circulation of qi and blood, leading to fatigue. Maintaining a habit of early sleep and early rising and engaging in moderate physical activity are key to replenishing qi and blood. Elderly individuals who spend extended periods lying down can enhance their constitution by consuming ginseng, royal jelly, and other nourishing foods.
Prolonged sitting harms the muscles. Sitting for prolonged periods without movement can affect spleen function and cause muscle relaxation. During work breaks, consuming foods like lotus seeds, Chinese yam, etc., that support spleen health and taking regular breaks to move around can greatly alleviate this issue.
Prolonged standing harms the bones. Prolonged standing can lead to joint pain and even affect the kidneys. Adequate standing combined with foods rich in calcium like pork rib soup can help maintain bone health.
Prolonged walking harms the tendons. Extended walking may harm the tendons, bones, and liver. Moderate consumption of foods like chicken and duck blood can aid in recovery.
Health habits to alleviate the five labors – Nourishing the spirit through sitting: Sitting quietly promotes a calm mind and balanced qi, but pay attention to posture and change positions timely. – Nourishing the bones through standing: Proper standing posture benefits bone health; avoid prolonged single-sided weight-bearing. – Nourishing the blood through viewing: Reading and enjoying beautiful scenery lift the spirits but avoid excessive eye use. – Nourishing the qi through lying down: Sleeping on the right side helps relax the body, ensuring high-quality sleep. – Nourishing the tendons through movement: Moderate walking strengthens tendons and bones; elderly individuals should adjust speed and duration based on their condition.
In conclusion, balancing various activities in life and following natural rhythms are effective ways to maintain the harmonious functioning of the body’s organs and prevent the five labors.
