Winter is a challenging season for the elderly. Many age-related diseases such as chronic bronchitis, hypertension, diabetes, and coronary heart disease tend to worsen during the winter. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that proper daily lifestyle adjustments, including cultivating the mind, maintaining a balanced diet, establishing regular routines, and adapting to the environment, can serve as guidelines for elderly winter health care. Specifically, the elderly should pay attention to the following aspects in order to smoothly pass through the harsh winter.
Firstly, diet should be balanced. As the weather gets colder, the elderly can consume more meat and high-calorie foods to supplement energy. However, overindulging in fatty and greasy foods can lead to the production of phlegm and dampness, which is harmful to cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. The ancient Chinese medical text "Qian Jin Yao Fang" states, "In the winter, seventy-two days, reduce saltiness and increase bitterness to nourish kidney qi." This means that the elderly can choose bitter foods such as bitter gourd and Ginkgo nuts, and reduce intake of salty foods. This has certain effects on health preservation and disease prevention. However, if the elderly are in good health, there is no need for excessive nutritional supplementation. It is sufficient to pay attention to daily lifestyle adjustments.
Secondly, establishing regular routines includes maintaining regular bowel movements. "Regular bowel movements are essential for longevity." In winter, it is often inconvenient for the elderly to use the restroom, and combined with reduced physical activity, they often cannot maintain daily bowel movements. However, prolonged constipation can lead to the absorption of harmful substances from feces, promoting the development of certain age-related diseases.
Thirdly, appropriate exercise is necessary. Although outdoor activities are limited in winter, the elderly should still persevere in exercising. Morning exercises in winter should not be done too early. They should be performed after the sun rises. Exercise should be moderate, as "the way of health preservation often requires gentle exertion, but avoiding excessive fatigue." It is important to exercise within one's limits. The most suitable exercise for the elderly is walking. Walking can stimulate acupuncture points on the feet, thereby adjusting the function of internal organs.
Fourthly, emotional well-being should be regulated. A calm state of mind and emotional control are important, especially for elderly people with hypertension. The elderly should maintain a youthful mindset and view the world with positivity and kindness. When encountering unpleasant events, they should let go and maintain an optimistic attitude. Positive emotions can promote the smooth circulation of qi and blood in the body, ensuring the normal function of organs.
Fifthly, it is important to avoid external pathogens. External pathogens refer to factors from the external environment that may cause diseases. The elderly have relatively weaker immune systems, and as their organs and tissues age, their functions gradually decline. If they are exposed to external pathogens, the severity of the illness will increase. During the outbreak of infectious diseases, the elderly not only have a higher infection rate but also a higher proportion of complications. In particular, during winter, the elderly are more prone to colds and are often susceptible to pneumonia. Therefore, in winter, the elderly should not only keep warm but also try to avoid crowded places and wear masks when going out.
