In daily life, people’s physical appearance may seem fine, but most people have sub-health problems, such as poor sleep quality, deficiency of both qi and blood, overall weakness, and kidney deficiency. The kidneys act as the body’s “filter,” helping to filter metabolic waste and nutrients from the blood every day, eliminating waste from the body. Despite the powerful role of the kidneys, it is a very fragile organ, especially in many seemingly insignificant daily matters leading to unintentional damage to kidney health that many people experience.
Seven habits that damage kidney health:
Firstly, staying up late regularly. Staying up late can easily lead to excessive depletion of body fluids, causing symptoms like dark circles under the eyes and fatigue, especially after the age of 40 when kidney deficiency is more likely to occur.
Secondly, smoking and drinking excessively. While we know that smoking harms the lungs, according to traditional Chinese medicine, the lungs and kidneys affect each other. Once the lungs are deficient, it can weaken the kidneys. Also, excessive alcohol consumption can harm the kidneys as the liver and kidneys are interconnected.
Thirdly, prolonged sitting without movement. Those who sit for long periods can easily compress the bladder meridian, leading to poor blood circulation in the bladder meridian which is closely related to kidney health.
Fourthly, frequent sexual activity. Excessive indulgence can easily damage kidney essence, leading to issues like back pain, premature aging, and forgetfulness.
Fifthly, frequently holding in urine. Delaying urination can lead to urinary bladder infections and, in severe cases, can spread to the kidneys, affecting kidney function.
Sixthly, drug abuse. Most medications are excreted through the kidneys; excessive types and doses of medications can undoubtedly harm the kidneys.
Lastly, drinking strong tea after consuming alcohol. Many people think that drinking strong tea after alcohol is beneficial, but renowned physician Li Shizhen mentioned in the Compendium of Materia Medica that it harms the kidneys. Are there ways to strengthen and nourish the kidneys? Focus on the Yongquan acupoint under your feet, a longevity acupoint that strengthens the kidneys. You might want to massage it whenever possible. Over time, you will see visible results!
Avoiding these seven habits that harm the liver and kidneys, we can engage in some light daily exercises for maintaining our health. Engaging in these exercises every morning can be extremely beneficial for our health. Let’s explore them.
Five small exercises to enhance kidney resistance:
1. Waist and leg exercises: Twist your waist and swing your legs to improve flexibility, abdominal contraction, and overall body stretch.
2. Shoulder exercises: Shrug your shoulders and shake your head to alleviate shoulder pain.
3. Hand and foot exercises: Pull your right hand with your left foot to enhance cardiovascular function and body flexibility.
4. Eye exercises: Look up, down, left, and right to relieve eye fatigue.
5. Neck exercises: Twist your neck to prevent neck pain and enhance mental clarity.
In addition to regular exercise, we should also focus on our diet by consuming foods that can protect and nourish the kidneys.
Consuming three types of foods regularly to nourish and warm the kidneys:
1. Goji berries. Commonly known as Chinese wolfberries, goji berries are rich in vitamins and essential nutrients beneficial for health. They can be absorbed by the body when soaked in water. However, individuals prone to heatiness should consume them in moderation as they are warming foods that may worsen heat-related symptoms.
2. Black beans. In traditional Chinese medicine, black beans are considered a top kidney-nourishing food. They contain abundant trace elements that effectively alleviate symptoms of kidney deficiency. Regular consumption of black beans can help lower blood pressure in the elderly, slow down aging, and prevent constipation.
3. Cabbage. Cabbage is an affordable and nutrient-rich food. It contains plenty of vitamins and carotenoids, along with various phytochemicals that help eliminate free radicals in the body. Hence, regular consumption of cabbage can assist in the treatment of kidney diseases.
Health is accumulated bit by bit, the more effort you put in, the more benefits your body will receive. A healthy body is the greatest wealth! Let’s all watch our eating habits, get moving, and strive for a healthier body every day.
Focus on wellness and care for yourself. Thank you for reading Huiying’s original article. For more health-related tips or tricks, feel free to leave a comment for Huiying!
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