Elderly people often have the habit of getting up early. The morning air is fresh, which is beneficial for eliminating harmful substances accumulated in the respiratory tract overnight and promoting metabolism. However, due to the degeneration of various organs in the elderly, if they do not pay attention to health care, getting up early may also be detrimental to their health. Elderly people should pay attention to five things when getting up early.
1. Gradual Getting Up: After waking up in the morning, do not get up immediately, because the intervertebral discs of the elderly are relatively relaxed. If they suddenly change from a lying position to an upright position, it is not only easy to strain the back, but also may affect the nervous system. If elderly people with hypertension or heart disease suddenly change their posture, accidents may also occur. After waking up, elderly people can stretch and yawn in bed, stretch their limbs and joints, and rest in bed for a while before getting out of bed.
2. Warm Water: Cold water washing the face has a strong stimulation on the facial skin of the elderly. Except for those who insist on taking cold showers all year round and those with a healthy constitution, it is better for the elderly not to wash their face with cold water. The water temperature for washing the face is best controlled at around 10-15°C, not too hot or too cold. The direction of the towel should be from back to front and from bottom to top. This way, washing the face follows the direction of blood flow, which is beneficial for promoting blood circulation and delaying facial skin aging. After washing the face, use the palms of both hands to dry the face until it feels warm. This also improves blood circulation and prevents colds.
3. Moderate Exercise: The amount of exercise after getting up early should not be too large, and the time should not be too long. Gentle and slow activities such as Tai Chi, Qigong, jogging, and calisthenics are most suitable for elderly people's early morning exercise. The exercise should be at a slightly increased heart rate and a slight sense of breathlessness, but never overexertion. Avoid fast, rotating or excessive head-down movements. Elderly people with diseases such as emphysema, arteriosclerosis, coronary heart disease, and diabetes should prefer walking and should not walk too far from home to avoid accidents.
4. Light Tea: Some elderly people like to have a cup of strong tea in the morning and sip it slowly. This habit is actually not beneficial to their health. In the early morning, the stomach is basically empty. Drinking strong tea on an empty stomach not only causes gastrointestinal discomfort and loss of appetite, but also may impair the normal function of the nervous system. Therefore, it is generally not advisable to drink strong tea in the morning. Elderly people can pour out the first infusion of tea and drink the second infusion. If a little sugar and a moderate amount of white chrysanthemum are added to the tea, it is even better.
5. Warm Clothing: Elderly people's clothing should be adjusted in a timely manner according to changes in the weather. Due to the reduced ability of the elderly to defend against diseases, they are prone to catching cold when getting up early, so it is better to dress warmly. In summer, open the window immediately after getting up to allow air circulation. However, in winter, wait a while after getting up to let the body adapt to the outdoor temperature before opening the window, so as not to catch a cold from the wind and affect health.
