By Winslow Bud Johnson
We can learn a lot about living longer by looking at the way people live in areas with a history of longevity.China is a notable example. The people living in many Chinese cities are living longer than people in the United States.What is interesting is they are doing this while spending far less on healthcare.In the United States the spending on healthcare per person annually is $6,100.This compares with only $277 spent per person annually on healthcare in China.The reasons for the extended longevity in China, therefore, are obviously not healthcare spending.It must be something else.
In the United States the average life expectancy is 78.6 years. The average man in America lives to be 76 and the average woman lives to be 81.There are other parts of the world where life expectancy is significantly longer.Hong Kong, for example, is at the top of the global rankings.The average man in Hong Kong lives to be 81 and the average woman lives to be 87.Actually, in the top 10 cities in China the average life expectancy is over 82 years old.These include, for example, Shanghai (83.6 years), Suzhou (83.5 years) and Beijing (82.2 years) among others.
Healthy Diet - The Chinese believe that one of the keys to a longer healthier life is a healthy diet.As a result, the Chinese diet is one of the healthiest in the world.Overall, the Chinese diet values moderation and balance.They believe it is a mistake to eat too much red meat.The Chinese diet advises no more than two ounces of meat twice a week.In China, vegetables are viewed as main courses.Typically a plate will include two-thirds vegetables and one-third meat.The Chinese diet also generally includes soup at every meal.They feel that this helps control the appetite.
Instead of counting calories, the Chinese diet simply aims to include healthy foods. For example, the Chinese eat much less dairy than Americans.Instead of relying on dairy for calcium, the Chinese get it from things like green leafy vegetables, sesame seeds and fermented soy curds.Many older Chinese people will tell you to eat slowly and stop when you feel full.They feel it takes time for the brain to signal that you feel full.Because of this it is easy to overeat without realizing it.They believe that one of the secrets to longevity is eating in moderation.
Physical Activity - The Chinese are persistent with their physical activity routines and typically credit this for living a longer healthier life.As you walk around many areas in China, in the morning, you will see a lot of seniors stretching, dancing or doing tai chi.This is being done in parks, public squares and even on sidewalks in front of major shopping areas before the stores open for the day.
Tai chi, in particular, is a very popular exercise in China.It is easy to do because of its slow steps and does not require any equipment which makes it possible to do anywhere.Tai chi promotes flexibility, strength and balance.The mental concentration, movement, and breathing involved in Tai Chi also act as a great distraction from the everyday stresses of life. Because of this many Chinese believe the practice of tai chi increases longevity.
Adults over 55 years old who practice tai chi normally have a higher aerobic capacity than people in the same age group who have a sedentary lifestyle. As we grow older, our ability to do some physical activitiesdiminishes. This happens at an even faster rate for people who are mostly sitting down and have less physical activity.There are many health benefits you get from practicing tai chi and it can be done by anyone regardless of age and it is very easy to practice.
Stress Management - If you ask an older person in China their secret to living a longer healthier life they will often tell you it is stress management.They believe that stress has a grave impact on your physical well-being and it can shorten your lifespan.This makes sense as you can see that people under a lot of stress often appear older than their actual age.When our mind is under stress it is difficult to deal with the day to day issues in our lives.All these things lead to premature ageing.
While social interaction is important to living a longer and healthier life, associating with the wrong people adds stress and can have the opposite effect.We must be careful when considering who we spend time with.The Chinese believe surrounding yourself with the wrong people can add considerable stress and can actually shorten your life.We all need people to share our life experiences with.Receiving constant criticism, sarcasm or a judgmental voice, however, is not helpful.Associating with people that make you feel unsafe emotionally, physically or economically should be avoided for a less stressful life.
Many people in China use the Chinese zodiac to help them avoid associating with incompatible people.A person’s Chinese zodiac sign tells a lot about that person and provides a clue to their personality. The 2,000 year old Chinese zodiac also reveals how people born in certain Chinese zodiac animal signs get along better than others.Many people use the Chinese zodiac to select people to associate with that are harmonious with them and will not cause conflict.You can learn more about the Chinese zodiac from the book Fortune Cookie Art (https://tinyurl.com/yxpu7v5n).
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We can learn a lot about longevity and living healthier from the Chinese.Even though they spend much less per person on healthcare than in the U.S. they live long healthy lives.They have proven that maintaining a lifestyle of eating a moderate and balanced diet is one of the secrets to longevity.They have shown that participating in a regular breathing and exercise program such as tai chi is far better than maintaining a sedentary lifestyle.They have also demonstrated that socializing with compatible people leads to a stress-free life that is longer and healthier.
About the Author – Winslow Bud Johnson is a keynote speaker on the subject of Chinese secrets to living longer.He has traveled extensively throughout China for the past 30 years and conducted extensive research regarding the Chinese culture.He is the author of several books that bring insight to the Chinese way of life available on Amazon.com. https://tinyurl.com/yy42vmtc
