Joggers work in December at Anlong Limestone Resort, an outdoor mountain sports venue in Guizhou’s Qianxinan Prefecture. LIU CHAOFU / CHINA for the day
The centuries-old concept of anusheng – a Taoist and traditional Chinese approach to self-care and health – is particularly popular among retirees and the elderly.
But in recent years, yangsheng, which means health promotion in Chinese, has become popular among young people as they spend more money on well-being, health services and products.
A survey of consumer behavior jointly released by China Central Television, the National Bureau of Statistics and China Post last year found that among 18-35-year-olds, spending on health and longevity products ranked third after travel and electronics. such as computers and cell phones.
Ling Jian, an accountant in Linyi, Shandong Province, said a year ago he practiced baduanjin, a low-impact traditional Chinese exercise consisting of eight movements, to relieve stress and relieve stress after work.
The 32-year-old said: “I’m not an athlete and I like the feeling of competition in the gym, so jogging at home or in the park near my house suits me.”
This mild form of exercise, says Ling, requires persistence and patience to reap its benefits.
Another report on the consumption of nutritional and health supplements shows that urban residents spend 1,000 yuan ($140) per person per year on these products.
A 2022 report by several healthcare companies and Xinhua News Agency found that many young people are dissatisfied with their nutritional status and buy vitamins, minerals and supplements to improve immunity and sleep quality.
However, more than half of the people surveyed admit that they easily give up on healthy eating and lifestyle habits, and more than 60 percent feel that the money spent on food is ultimately wasted.
Zhang Boli, a traditional Chinese medicine expert and member of the National People’s Congress, the top legislature, told this year’s biennial meeting – China’s biggest annual political event – that an increasing number of Chinese are experiencing symptoms of cardiovascular disease. 40 years.
However, he says, taking health supplements is not a one-size-fits-all treatment to offset the negative effects of a healthy lifestyle.
“Many young people could improve their health by eating lighter meals and eating more fruit and vegetables.” It is also important to get enough rest, not to sleep too late or drink too much alcohol, coffee or tea. “
Zhong Can, director of the outpatient department of the Red Cross Hospital in Wuzhou, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, told China Youth Daily that headache, neck stiffness, dizziness and insomnia are common complaints among young pain patients.
“In one case, a 30-year-old male patient who had been sitting in front of a computer screen all day and constantly playing computer games or looking at his cell phone at home came to me with neck pain,” he said. .
Instead of prescribing medical treatments, Zhong said he reduced the amount of time he spent on electronic devices and asked family members to monitor him. According to him, the patient’s condition will soon improve without medical intervention.
Youngsters becoming more fitness-conscious
