Song Meiling, who lived to be 106 years old, was a remarkable woman in Chinese history. She was not only skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, but also maintained a peaceful and healthy life in her old age. She had her own secrets for staying healthy. Let's uncover Song Meiling's secrets to longevity.
1. Colon Cleansing for Detoxification
Song Meiling did not suffer from constipation, but she would perform colon cleansing before going to bed every night. Although this method has no scientific basis, Song Meiling persisted in doing colon cleansing for decades with the aim of flushing out toxins and achieving detoxification. While most people consider it a troublesome and painful task, she regarded it as a pleasant activity. She said, "To cleanse my colon painlessly every day and take a refreshing bath is like completing a great metabolic project. Why wouldn't I do it when a little inconvenience can bring me a good night's sleep?"
2. Eating Small, Frequent Meals
Song Meiling paid great attention to the quality of her diet and ate small, frequent meals. Although she preferred eating harder foods, it did not affect her digestion overall. She had two meat dishes and two vegetable dishes every day, and she had to eat five times a day. She would eat until she was only 80% full, even if it was her favorite food. If she noticed a slight increase in weight, she would immediately switch to eating vegetable salad and avoid any meat dishes.
3. Regular Massages
Song Meiling always maintained smooth and radiant skin, which was one of the reasons behind her youthful appearance. One of her secrets was to receive a massage every day. Before taking a nap or going to bed at night, two nurses would take turns massaging her, starting from her eyes and face, then moving to her chest, abdomen, lower limbs, the soles of her feet, and the arches of her feet. This full-body massage promoted blood circulation.
4. Chatting to Relieve Worries
Song Meiling, like any ordinary person, experienced a range of emotions. However, her background, education, interests, and cultural upbringing endowed her with a high level of self-control. She had a good habit of chatting with acquaintances whenever she encountered unpleasant things, allowing her to express her thoughts and dissipate any accumulated frustration.
5. Quitting Smoking
During her time in Taiwan, the only vice Song Meiling had was smoking. Chiang Kai-shek, her husband, had tried to persuade her to quit smoking many times, but she was unsuccessful. After Chiang Kai-shek passed away, she made up her mind to quit smoking, which she had been doing for over 60 years.
6. Reading and Calligraphy
Reading was a lifelong habit for Song Meiling. During her time in the United States, she would read major English newspapers in New York every day. In her free time, she would paint traditional Chinese paintings and write calligraphy. The concentration required for studying painting helps eliminate distractions, achieve a calm state of mind, and balance the body's functions. It promotes blood circulation and metabolism.
7. Regular Schedule
Song Meiling maintained a very regular daily routine. The time she spent painting and reading each day usually did not exceed two hours. In the evening, she would watch television for a short while or play the piano for half an hour. She typically went to bed around 11 PM and woke up after 9 AM the next day. This consistent schedule was one of the reasons for her longevity.
