Twelve Simple and Effective Health Preservation Techniques
1. Hair Combing: Use any comb or fingers to comb hair dozens to hundreds of times daily. This massages the scalp, clears the mind, and benefits vision and hearing.
2. Drumming Ears: Press palms tightly against both ears for several seconds, then quickly release. This vibrates the eardrums, slowing ear aging. Alternatively, massage ears regularly using various techniques—rubbing, pinching, tapping—to immediately relieve headaches, motion sickness, and other discomforts. Those with weak constitutions who frequently massage ears may also prevent colds.
3. Eye Rubbing: Use soft parts of your hands to rub and press eyes and the surrounding orbital area, promoting blood circulation around the eyes, improving vision, refreshing the mind, and offering cosmetic benefits.
4. Nasal Pinching: Frequently rub or pinch the Yixiang acupoints beside the nostrils or gently squeeze the nose. This enhances olfactory sensitivity and reduces risk of nasal allergies or respiratory infections.
5. Teeth Knocking: Lightly tap teeth together or chew air. This prevents gum recession and periodontal disease, and also stimulates facial muscles, keeping cheeks full and preventing sagging.
6. Swallowing Saliva: Close mouth and perform rinsing motions several times, then swallow the saliva. Unoxidized saliva has no odor and even tastes sweet. Saliva contains many digestive enzymes and nutrients—regular swallowing supports digestion.
7. Neck Rotation and Shoulder Shrugging: Rotate the neck and shrug shoulders frequently. The neck and shoulder region houses the spine and major blood vessels supplying the head. Regular movement improves muscle flexibility and greatly reduces the risk of cerebrovascular diseases in old age.
8. Dry Rubbing: Use palms or dry towels to rub the face and exposed areas like arms. This boosts skin circulation and maintains skin moisture.
9. Shoulder Slapping: Swing left hand upward to slap right shoulder, then alternate with right hand slapping left shoulder. Alternately, use palms to slap legs.
10. Waist Rotation: Extend right hand forward as you bend forward toward the left foot tip, then rise up. Repeat with left hand extending toward the right foot tip, alternating several times.
11. Fist Clenching: Firmly clench both hands then relax, repeating several times. Can be done standing or seated.
12. Toe Treading: Place right heel on left toe tip, then left heel on right toe tip, alternating several times.