Seven Golden Keys to Men's Health: Knowledge, Optimism, and Family Harmony
Establishing a new concept of men's health is for a happy life of over 100 years. How can we achieve this? The World Health Organization identifies four major factors determining human health: First, parental genetics account for 15%; second, social conditions account for 10%; third, the natural environment and climate account for 7%; and fourth, personal lifestyle and behaviors account for 60%. Add to this medical factors, which account for 8%. If each of us can master these 68% of the factors determining our own healthy life, living a happy life of over 100 years will not be a dream. How can we master these factors for a healthy life? I will share seven golden keys to unlocking men's health. If everyone can master these seven keys, they will surely live a healthy life of over 100 years!
**First step: Acquire knowledge, understand yourself**
Because men often lack knowledge, or have no knowledge at all, about their own unique physiological functions, when they experience treatable physiological conditions such as erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, or infertility, they often perceive them as facing a "great enemy of manhood," feeling "extremely fearful." They worry about being labeled "fake men" or "useless," becoming the butt of jokes and gossip, and suffering immense embarrassment. Therefore, when men suffer from erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, or infertility, they not only refuse to admit their illness but also pretend to be healthy, putting on a brave face, unable to speak out about their suffering, and insisting they are rock-hard men! This is truly a tragedy of sexual ignorance. As a philosopher once said, "Illiteracy is foolish, but sexual ignorance is even more foolish!"
For men to live a long and healthy life, they must first learn about sex and have a correct understanding of their own unique physiological functions and characteristics. This will enable men to adapt to their physiological characteristics, follow the laws of nature, maintain normal physiological functions, make good use of their physiological characteristics, and achieve the goal of living a healthy life of over 100 years!
Men, do you understand yourselves?
The core of male-specific physiological characteristics lies in the testes and penis. The testes and penis are the vital organs and central axis of a normal man, the most fundamental marker distinguishing men from women, and a symbol of masculinity. Male-specific reproductive organs include the testes, epididymis, penis, and prostate. Male testes are generally classified as size 1 to 24, oval in shape, about the size of a pigeon egg. A normal adult male's testes are size 12 to 24, weighing approximately 12 grams. Sizes 9 to 11 are considered small, and sizes below 8 are considered small and abnormal. The epididymis is a long, flat organ attached to the lower end of the spermatic cord along with the testes, located above and behind the testes. The epididymis is mainly composed of the epididymal duct, a tortuous tubule about 6 meters long and 0.5 millimeters in diameter.
The penis, in a normal adult male, is 7-10 cm long and about 8 cm in circumference when flaccid; and 10-13 cm long and about 10 cm in circumference when erect. The physiological functions of the penis are: firstly, to be an organ for sexual intercourse; and secondly, to serve as a passage for urination and ejaculation. The main physiological functions of the testes and epididymis are: firstly, to produce sperm, secrete male hormones to support sexual intercourse, and regulate endocrine function.
Once we understand the unique physiological characteristics of men, we can consciously protect and use them correctly, enabling them to live a long and healthy life, maintain normal physiological functions, and remain consistently healthy and satisfied.
**Secondly:** Broad-minded and optimistic.
Men often exhibit a competitive, courageous, tenacious, and never-give-up personality, along with psychological traits such as sulking, impatience, irritability, and a tendency to compare themselves to others. If these personality traits are properly nurtured and guided, they can contribute to success, as well as benefit family and society. However, if misguided, men often veer to extremes-becoming uncontrollably ambitious and insatiably driven by desires. This can lead to setbacks and failures in life, damaging their physical and mental health, causing premature aging, and developing various diseases.
Researchers conducted a longevity survey on over 400 former class monitors at a university. Of the respondents, 88% were male. Seven percent of the former class monitors were later listed in the Who's Who, compared to only one in two hundred ordinary students. The average lifespan of the class monitors was only 49 years, 2.4 years shorter than that of their classmates.
Traditional Chinese health preservation theories also highly value the close relationship between a person's mental state and health and longevity, proposing that the seven emotions (joy, anger, worry, pensiveness, grief, fear, and fright) are among the important factors causing disease. It is believed that a cheerful mood can ensure the normal functioning of the five internal organs and the circulation of qi and blood, preventing various diseases; while mental depression and emotional tension are often the root cause of illness.
Two doctors at Johns Hopkins Medical School randomly selected 127 graduates from 1949 to 1964 and divided them into two groups based on personality. The first group consisted of cautious, steady, confident individuals with poor adaptability and a lack of adventurous spirit; the second group consisted of lively, proactive, intelligent, and flexible individuals. Analysis revealed that the first group had the highest morbidity and mortality rates-13 people died within those 15 years alone-while all members of the second group survived. The doctors concluded that temperament, whether cheerful or depressed, is closely related to morbidity and directly affects lifespan. A 1978 survey showed that 125 centenarians over 90 years old in Hubei Province shared common characteristics: cheerful, optimistic, and easygoing, possessing a calm and peaceful mind.
To maintain a cheerful and pleasant mood, one must learn to avoid troubles and be tolerant of others. In daily life, it's difficult to avoid unpleasant things, and misunderstandings, difficulties, slander, and non-cooperation with those around us are inevitable. Even our own family and friends may sometimes clash with us. Those who understand the importance of maintaining good health can handle these situations calmly and rationally. For non-principle issues, they should yield where necessary, endure where necessary, and forgive where appropriate. As the saying goes, "Suffering a loss is a blessing," and "Forgive others when you can." Only by cultivating an open and generous heart can one maintain inner peace and live a happy life for many years to come.
**Third point: Harmonious marriage and happy family**
A harmonious marriage leads to a harmonious family, and a harmonious family contributes to a stable and united society, as the family is the cell of society. Marital harmony and family happiness have a significant impact on men's health and longevity. According to a population survey analysis by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, divorced or widowed men have an average lifespan 12 years shorter than those with harmonious marriages and family lives, while women have an average lifespan 5 years shorter. That's a huge difference!
A harmonious marital life is a resonance of love and affection, characterized by mutual respect and love, sharing joys and sorrows, and preventing the accumulation of negative emotions. It also helps improve the body's immune function, slows aging, and optimizes metabolism, all of which are highly beneficial for health and longevity. Conversely, marital discord and frequent arguments disrupt family peace, causing both partners to experience emotional suppression and disorder, inevitably leading to detrimental health and becoming a major contributing factor to various diseases such as cancer. Therefore, marital harmony is key to family harmony, and a harmonious sex life is the core of marital harmony. While not all happiness stems from a harmonious sex life, the excitement, satisfaction, pleasure, and happiness it brings are irreplaceable by any other form of enjoyment. In other words, men and women are happy with sex; without sex, life is unhappy.
She had lost weight and her health wasn't as robust as before. Around this time, a kind-hearted person introduced her to a potential partner. The two were happy to meet. However, when the old woman told her son, he strongly objected, saying, "How can you face my deceased mother if you remarry? Besides, I already have a son; it would be shameful to find a stepmother. We take care of you, you have plenty to eat and wear, and you don't have to do any work. Why do you need a partner?" The old woman was unhappy but didn't want to offend her son, so she silently endured her resentment. Her bad mood made life meaningless, and she soon fell ill from the stress, passing away before the age of 65. Another elderly woman, also in her early sixties, had recently lost her husband. Her daughter-in-law, very understanding, often urged her husband to remarry. Initially, the old man disagreed, partly because he feared gossip from the neighbors and partly because he worried about the reputation of his son and daughter-in-law and the potential damage to their relationship. However, the son and daughter-in-law said that remarriage is the elderly person's right, and no one can interfere. Besides, with a companion to take care of him, he's not lonely, has good health, and doesn't need their worry; in fact, they're relieved and at ease. Persuaded by their son and daughter-in-law, the old man agreed to remarry. As a result, the daughter-in-law acted as a matchmaker, helping her father-in-law find another partner. The elderly couple now live a happy and fulfilling life, are healthier than before, and can even help their son take care of their grandchildren. The three generations live together harmoniously. The old man is now over eighty years old. This young couple is praised by their neighbors as "a good daughter-in-law and a good son," and their story has become a local legend.
These vivid examples tell people a truth about living a happy life for over a hundred years: having a spouse is even more important in old age; and sexual happiness is even more important in old age.
According to a survey of 4,246 people aged 50 to 93 in the United States, most elderly people can continue to have sex until they are 70 or older. More than half of women over 60 and three-quarters of men over 70 are still interested in sex, and some elderly couples over 70 still have normal sex lives.
These situations and data all demonstrate that elderly couples still maintain a need for sex, and forcing or suppressing this need through separation is contrary to the objective laws of the human body. Elderly people should maintain a moderate level of sexual activity according to their physical condition; this is highly beneficial for alleviating loneliness and depression, dispelling worries, and boosting morale.