The Power of a Regular Lifestyle: Health Principles and Cold Causes Explored from Philosopher Kant to Superstar Jordan [i]

Generally speaking, middle and old age are the peak of a man's career, but with the fast pace of life, the lives of middle-aged and elderly men are becoming increasingly irregular. They leave early and return late, with endless social engagements, unable to achieve true relaxation and peace, and their health is unknowingly being damaged [i]. In life, some busy men often carelessly "abuse" themselves, never eating a decent meal on time, and seemingly never paying attention to getting high-quality sleep or rest [i]. Only when their bodies and minds begin to feel powerless and suffer significant damage do they realize with surprise: why has their hair turned white so quickly? Why has their appetite deteriorated? Why have they aged so much and become so useless at such a young age? They don't understand that what causes them to suffer and endure these troubles is precisely their irregular lifestyle [i]. A person's body is their priceless treasure, and must be cherished [i]. A strong physique is the most solid foundation for achieving great things and the greatest driving force for advancing one's career [i]. The great German philosopher Kant lived to the age of eighty [i]. He dedicated his life to the study and contemplation of philosophical questions, never married, rarely traveled, and had no social life[i]. Yet, every day he would leave his simple study and walk to the university, a routine he maintained for decades[i]. His control over time was impeccable, to the second; legend has it that local residents adjusted their watches according to his departure time[i]. He rose at 5 a.m. every morning[i]. Every afternoon he would take a walk on a street (later named "Kant's Trail"), then work until about 10 p.m. before going to bed[i]. This strict routine, which he adhered to without wavering, is truly remarkable[i]. The Chinese have always believed that life should be regular; "working at sunrise and resting at sunset" has been a life pattern for thousands of years. Therefore, although ancient medical technology was less advanced than today, the number of long-lived people was no less than that of modern people, which is due to the benefits of a regular lifestyle[i]. American basketball superstar Michael Jordan once told a reporter during an interview, "My life is very regular; I never get up after 8 a.m." This is why he maintained such good physical condition and health. Even after several years away from basketball, he returned to the court and still won three NBA championships, largely due to his regular lifestyle [i]. Some researchers say that Jordan's body is almost entirely muscle, and his body fat percentage is the lowest among basketball players [i]. If he had an irregular lifestyle, staying up late and sleeping in, and indulging in excessive eating and drinking, he might have become as obese as another NBA player, Shawn Kemp, unable to jump and shoot! Some people habitually catch colds, but many colds are not caused by pathogens but by unintentional lifestyle habits and details [i]. Causes of colds include: First, improper diet [i]. A preference for salt can inhibit the defense capabilities of the epithelial cells in the mouth and pharynx, allowing cold viruses and other pathogens to easily invade [i]. Second, insufficient sleep [i]. Sufficient sleep can coordinate the body's vital energy (ying and wei qi), reducing the occurrence of colds [i]. Secondly, insufficient exercise [i]. People with insufficient exercise are 2-3 times more likely to catch a cold than those who regularly engage in moderate physical activity [i]. Finally, mental stress [i]. High psychological stress reduces the body's immune function [i]. Guizot once said, "He who does not rise with the sun will not enjoy the day." A person with an irregular lifestyle is not a person in good health [i]. Lu Xun's life should be very enlightening for us [i]. After becoming a leading figure in thought and culture, he was constantly visited [i]. He spent almost every day busy, talking with guests and smoking [i]. After seeing off guests, it was already late at night, but he would turn on his desk lamp, spread out his papers, and begin his day's work [i]. Even after Xu Guangping and the children had woken up several times, he would still be under the lamp, smoking and writing [i]. This long-term irregular lifestyle seriously affected his health, leading to overwork and eventual illness [i]. On October 19, 1936, he passed away at the age of 55 due to lung disease.[i] If Mr. Lu Xun had lived a more regular life, perhaps he could have achieved even greater success.[i] Everywhere we look, we see many people who frequently stay up late and are listless.[i] They are only around 40 years old, but they already look hunched over, with graying hair, and appear lethargic; their gait is unsteady, and their faces are prematurely covered with wrinkles.[i] All their capital-energy and physical strength-has been depleted by an irregular lifestyle, and the only machine that could have propelled them to success-their body-seems to be rusted.[i] A person's physical and mental condition has the greatest influence on their posture and temperament.[i] Everywhere we look, we see soldiers standing tall and proud, and everyone envies their healthy posture.[i] In fact, anyone with perseverance can achieve this extraordinary posture through a regular life and moderate exercise.[i] To prevent an irregular lifestyle from harming your health, you must learn moderation and live a planned life.[i]