Entertainment and Health (Second Issue)

Author: Jiang Zexian, Wang Gongxian
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-05-01
Features: With the continuous improvement of people's living standards, the establishment of the weekend system, and the implementation of holidays and golden weeks, the leisure time of Chinese citizens has increased significantly. In the past, karaoke bars, discos, billiard rooms, fitness centers, foot massage parlors, coffee shops, and steam baths were everywhere on the streets. Communities and neighborhood committees also set up chess and card rooms and recreational rooms, providing people with many places to relax. Entertainment is for enjoyment. In today's competitive society and striving era, who doesn't want to relieve stress, ease their emotions, and relax their muscles after work? Gathering with friends for a casual chat in a coffee shop or taking the whole family to a karaoke bar to sing are common activities. Singing isn't about becoming a singer; dancing isn't about aiming to be a dancing star; playing chess isn't about becoming a chess master; playing sports isn't about becoming a professional athlete. With a bit of leisure, there is more joy. When immersed in such activities, one finds happiness in the moment, thoughts can soar, spirits can fly, faces can glow, and muscles can loosen. I've heard folk songs like: "Spring sleep knows no dawn, mahjong sounds fill the night; the wind and rain of the night, how much was won or lost?" I've seen cartoons like: "Drinks are drunk, balls are played, dances are danced madly, baths are soaked thoroughly, homes are scattered, and factories are ruined." I've seen patients who suffered heart attacks from frequenting bars, had brain hemorrhages from dancing too much, developed high blood pressure from working out, and contracted infections from foot massages. The original purpose of leisure and entertainment was "to withdraw from the world, to seek tranquility, to nourish the mind, and to promote health." However, improper entertainment can have the opposite effect, bringing more tension than relaxation, more worries than joy. Ji Kang once said: "A cup of strong wine, a tune on the lute, and that is enough!" Gao Lian once said: "Enjoy the four seasons, cherish every moment, and don't let it pass in vain. Find joy in leisure and be content!" This traditional concept of happiness, which gives life a practical meaning, has deeply rooted in the kind-hearted Chinese people. From ancient times to the present, chess games on the streets, strategic planning by candlelight, opera enthusiasts, and those who play football and play the lute—none of these are about seeking joy in leisure? In today's market economy, the entertainment industry has emerged and flourished, and people love and embrace entertainment. However, we must also see the other side of entertainment: First, the facilities provided by the entertainment industry have not considered the health of the public. For example, the noise in karaoke bars, the air quality in discos, the disinfection of entertainment spaces and equipment, and the prevention of infectious diseases—all these need improvement or enhancement. Second, participants may overindulge in entertainment, leading to exhaustion and illness, where joy turns into sorrow. What we hope for is that both practitioners and participants prioritize human life and health. When entering an entertainment venue, one should feel sluggish, but leave feeling refreshed; arrive with a heavy heart, but leave with a joyful smile. The entertainment industry has truly brought joy to the people, and the people have truly gained joy through participation. This book is for those who participate in entertainment: How to judge the air quality in a karaoke bar? What to pay attention to when picking up a microphone? How to lose weight while singing? How to play mahjong healthily and civilizedly? You can read it while soaking in a steam bath or flipping through it while getting a foot massage. It covers small but essential tips about entertainment and health. The purpose of these scattered words is solely for your health and longevity. The joy derived from leisure is the release of life's inherent energy, a manifestation of health and longevity. I hope this book can make your entertainment enjoyable, balanced, beneficial, and always flavorful, accompanying you in eternal youth.