33. I Heal My Own Body ： Healthy Life Expectancy

Healthy life expectancy is not just about living a long time but about the period one lives without being plagued by illness. As average life expectancy increases, the time spent suffering from diseases also increases. In fact, the gap between life expectancy and healthy life expectancy exceeds ten years. This means that about a decade of old age is often spent in a state where the quality of life is significantly diminished.

In traditional Korean medicine, purifying the blood is considered the foundation of managing all diseases. While proper diet and exercise are important for clean blood, one must not overlook the impact of negative stress. When our bodies experience stress, the hormone adrenaline is secreted, which promotes atherosclerosis and blood clot formation. In other words, excessive or uneasy thinking can cause the blood to clot very easily.

In fact, life expectancy is more of a relative than an absolute measure. Whether one lives to 80 or 90 is not as important as the individual’s felt quality of life and satisfaction with life. The key is to live healthily and pass on peacefully. The real issue is that as long as we are breathing, we must manage our bodies ourselves while striving to keep our souls in their best condition. No one wants to end their life bedridden for months or years, unable even to swallow food, relying on medications and IVs without any hope of recovery. Regular exercise, a proper diet, and maintaining a peaceful heart with a clear conscience are the surest paths to preparing our bodies for a good end.

Dr. Jin-man Kim, director of Peace Oriental Clinic