Eat green, live slowly, practice breathing exercises.

No longer chasing after a fast-paced, convenient, and hurried lifestyle or the trends of "rapid detox," more and more people are turning to a healthy way of life that nurtures health from within, sustainably and peacefully.

Dr. Huynh Tan Vu, from the Day Treatment Unit at the University Medical Center of Ho Chi Minh City, Campus 3, stated that from a modern medical perspective, this is a positive trend. Many studies show that a moderate lifestyle, healthy eating habits, and regular breathing exercises help reduce stress, improve sleep, and boost immunity.

Sharing the same view, Dr. Chau Thi Anh, Head of the Nutrition Department at Xuyen A General Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City, stated that "slow living - green eating - breathing exercises" is a very positive trend and has been scientifically proven by modern medicine. This trio of lifestyle interventions is effective and particularly suitable for coping with stress and the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases among young people. "Slow living" is not about stagnation, but about mindfulness and actively slowing down the pace to focus the mind on the present moment. Green eating, prioritizing plant-based foods, is widely recommended as a healthy diet.

A calm mind leads to harmonious energy, and harmonious energy makes it difficult for diseases to develop.

PHOTO: LE CAM

If "eating green" cares for the biological body, and "living slowly" is an attitude towards life, then "breathing exercises" are the switch – shifting from "fighting" to "resting." Modern life keeps us constantly stressed. Active breathing exercises help activate the parasympathetic nervous system, sending safety signals to the brain, helping the body relax.

Slow down - decelerate to allow your body to recover.

According to Dr. Huynh Tan Vu, many studies show that sleeping on time, reducing multitasking, taking time to rest, and practicing mindfulness all help reduce the stress hormone cortisol, increase parasympathetic activity, stabilize heart rate, improve concentration, and enhance sleep quality. When the nervous system is brought back into balance, immunity increases, and chronic inflammation is significantly reduced.

In traditional Vietnamese medicine, these values ​​were summarized by the renowned physician Tuệ Tĩnh in the 14th century in the principle of "purifying the mind and reducing desires" – keeping the mind pure and minimizing worries. First, proactively slow down the pace of life to allow the mind to settle, because when the mind is calm, the energy is harmonious, and when the energy is harmonious, illness is less likely to arise. A peaceful mind is the root of recovery. Each day, just dedicate 10-15 minutes to health practices such as deep breathing, short meditation, head, neck, and leg massage, or gentle walking. These small habits, if maintained regularly, will help improve blood circulation, relax the mind, and boost immunity.

Eat green - nourish your body naturally.

Modern science confirms that the trend towards a plant-based diet offers many benefits, such as reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and some cancers; improving blood lipid levels; and supporting the gut microbiome. However, doctors note that "eating green" does not mean being extreme by only drinking juices, completely cutting out carbohydrates or animal protein without a plan to supplement micronutrients.

The macrobiotic diet, in the spirit of Tuệ Tĩnh, emphasizes moderation, eating on time, and eating in moderation. It avoids excessively cold foods that harm the spleen and stomach, and excessively fatty foods that cause stagnation. Eating should also be based on the seasons: spring, summer, autumn, and winter. This forms the foundation for a harmonious Vietnamese nutritional model, in accordance with nature, aiming for sustainable balance of internal organs and overall health.

Breathing exercises - the art of balancing body and mind.

According to modern medicine, deep, slow, and even breathing directly impacts the nervous system through the activation of the vagus nerve. When this nerve is stimulated, heart rate slightly decreases, and heart rate variability increases—an indicator considered important for cardiovascular health and emotional stability. Just 3-5 minutes of breathing exercises, 2-3 times a day, can significantly improve stress levels.

Traditional medicine calls this "nourishing the qi" - nourishing the lung qi, making breathing deeper and stronger. Proper breathing is not just a relaxation technique, but a foundation of Eastern health preservation for hundreds of years.

Sustainable health - a long-term journey

Dr. Huynh Tan Vu emphasized that extreme detox methods such as prolonged fasting, drinking only juice, or using "rapid detox" products all carry risks: hypoglycemia, electrolyte imbalance, muscle exhaustion, menstrual irregularities, and even eating disorders. The liver and kidneys are already very effective at detoxification, so strong cleansing methods are completely unnecessary. Extreme detox can even be counterproductive, causing qi deficiency, spleen damage, yang energy depletion, and yin-yang imbalance.

The principles of sustainable healthcare still revolve around three core values: moderation, perseverance, and harmony with nature. "Health is nurtured through moderation, nature, perseverance, and harmony every day, through small but enduring habits that help both body and mind stabilize and develop in the long term," Dr. Vu shared.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/an-xanh-song-cham-tap-tho-185260223165627919.htm