“In the past, the days were long and slow, with carriages and mail moving slowly…” The poem “In the Past Slow” brings us back to that tranquil and beautiful time, showcasing a series of serene and elegant life scenes. Life is also like this, when we are young, we may be impatient and hasty, but as we grow older, both our bodies and minds need to face the bits and pieces of life more calmly.
For the elderly, there are several things in life that are particularly unsuitable for impatience, it’s better to take it slow, let’s analyze them one by one:
First, the pace of eating should be slowed down, it’s better to chew slowly and swallow. As we age, our gastrointestinal function gradually weakens, fast eating can increase the burden on the digestive system and lead to discomfort such as stomach bloating and pain. Chewing slowly, chewing each bite about 20 times, not only promotes digestion and absorption but also makes the eating process more enjoyable.
Second, the quality of sleep should be emphasized, avoid staying up late. The elderly should avoid staying up late, try to go to bed before ten o’clock at night, ensure an adequate rest time to maintain body function, enhance body resistance, and reduce the risk of diseases. Before going to bed, put aside trivial matters, relax, the children and grandchildren will have their own fortunes, too much worry is not beneficial to physical and mental health.
Third, do not rush when getting up in the morning, give your body enough buffer time. When waking up in the morning, the various organs of the body are not fully awake, suddenly getting up may cause blood pressure fluctuations, and even affect cardiovascular health. It is recommended to lie still for a while after opening your eyes, wait for the body to adjust before getting up slowly to avoid accidents.
Fourth, the way of exercising should be gentle, avoid strenuous activities. Due to changes in body function, the elderly should choose low-intensity activities for exercise, such as walking, Tai Chi, or square dancing, avoiding high-intensity movements such as jumping to prevent joint injury or bone problems, the movements during exercise should be gentle and continuous.
Fifth, emotional management is particularly important, maintain a calm mindset. In the aging stage full of experiences, one should cultivate stable emotions, try to stay calm when faced with external stimuli, avoid significant emotional fluctuations causing long-term impacts on the body. When encountering troubles, try to divert attention through other activities to maintain inner calm.
In conclusion, the harmony and tranquility of the elderly’s life are reflected in the philosophy of “slow living” in these five aspects, allowing each step to be taken steadily and calmly.
