🌿 Folk Prescriptions

Deng Xiaoping lived to the age of 93 (1904–1997), enjoying a serene and wise life, free from anxiety and stress. This year marks the 100th anniversary of Comrade Deng Xiaoping’s birth. As we remember this great leader and appreciate his unique personal charisma, we can also draw profound inspiration from his health preservation principles.
Deng Xiaoping lived to be 93 years old—a rare achievement among world leaders. At age 75, he climbed Mount Huangshan with ease; in his eighties, he swam in the sea for over an hour.
In July 1991, when asked about his health secrets, Comrade Deng said: “My thinking remains sharp, mainly due to regular exercise such as walking, tai chi, and swimming; maintaining a calm and optimistic attitude toward problems and matters; living a regular life with proper regulation; reading books and newspapers, playing bridge, watching football, and spending time with children.” His longevity and health philosophy can be summarized in twenty characters: “Optimism, mental activity, consistent exercise, rational diet, and family harmony.”
Optimism and Open-Mindedness — “Even if the sky falls, I’m not afraid, because there are tall people to hold it up.”
“I’ve always been optimistic. Even if the sky falls, I’m not afraid, because there are tall people to hold it up.” On October 11, 1984, when German Chancellor Kohl asked him for his secret to longevity, Deng gave this reply. Known for his three rises and three falls in Chinese politics and enduring personal tragedies, Deng never blamed fate during adversity, always maintaining an optimistic mindset.
Active Mental Engagement — “I can play bridge, proving my mind is still sharp.”
When American TV journalist Wallace asked how many hours Deng worked daily, he replied: “Two hours.” “My work method is to minimize effort.” “The rest of the time is spent reading, exercising, resting, and being with children.” Deng was highly efficient, usually finishing important documents by around 10 a.m. Afterwards, unless attending meetings or diplomatic events, he would sit on the sofa reading newspapers or playing bridge to keep his mind active. He proudly said: “I use bridge to train my brain… My ability to play bridge proves my mind is still sharp.”
Consistent Exercise — “I can swim, especially enjoying swimming in the open sea.”
From his youth, Deng developed a habit of regular fitness. Despite being extremely busy, he always found time for exercise. His hobbies were diverse: swimming, cold showers, mountain climbing, walking, and football.
“I can swim, especially enjoying swimming in the open sea.” During summer, Deng swam continuously for over an hour in coastal waters, sometimes continuing through rough waves as if strolling casually. “I haven’t had a cold in ten years—one reason is that I take cold showers every morning.” He mentioned this during a meeting with New Zealand Prime Minister Lange.
Deng often took walks in his backyard. On rainy or snowy days, he walked back and forth in the corridor. He treated walking as seriously as work—never slacking or cutting corners.
Rational Diet — Breakfast at 8:30 a.m., lunch at 12 p.m., dinner at 6:30 p.m.
Deng maintained a very regular eating schedule: breakfast at 8:30 a.m., lunch at 12 p.m., dinner at 6:30 p.m.—unchanged for decades. He enjoyed eggs, steamed buns, congee, and pickled vegetables for breakfast; lunch and dinner typically consisted of two vegetable dishes and one soup. Deng loved green tea—he put plenty of tea leaves in his cup, which filled two-thirds of the cup when fully brewed. He also enjoyed rice wine, eating some dishes before drinking to avoid irritating the stomach lining. Deng had smoked for decades but quit completely in 1989 upon medical advice.
Family Harmony — Enjoying Family Bliss
Deng Xiaoping and Zhuo Lin shared 58 years of ups and downs. Their marriage was loving, supportive, and deeply connected through hardship. Deng always valued family happiness and enjoyed time with his relatives. He adored his grandchildren, often laughing and chatting with them—whether in good times or bad. The warmth of family life helped Deng face political challenges calmly and was one of the keys to his longevity.
Traditional Chinese health preservation includes four major categories: mental, dietary, physical, and medicinal. Deng successfully applied the first three in his daily life.
Throughout his life, Deng faced numerous hardships but always remained broad-minded and composed. Traditional health theory holds that cheerful disposition, openness, and optimism lead to balanced yin-yang, smooth qi and blood flow, harmonious organ function, and thus longevity. Research in geriatrics shows most centenarians live in happy, harmonious families. Furthermore, Deng was adept at using his mind—not only managing national affairs but also regularly reading newspapers and playing bridge for relaxation, which significantly delays brain aging and prevents cognitive decline.
Rational diet structure and lifestyle are crucial for health and longevity. Diversified diets with balanced grains, fruits, meats, and vegetables meet the body’s nutritional needs. Deng’s simple diet, regular routine, preference for green tea, and moderate rice wine consumption align with both traditional health principles and modern nutrition science.
Deng’s longevity was also closely tied to his lifelong commitment to exercise. Appropriate physical activity promotes joint flexibility, clears meridians, improves circulation, and strengthens the body, contributing to health and longevity. Regular exercise in older adults slows organ aging, maintains a positive mood, and helps prevent osteoporosis.