"Auntie, why do you have a headache again?" During the Chinese New Year, family reunions are supposed to be joyful, but many people have health problems caused by playing mahjong. Playing mahjong, as a traditional entertainment activity, what are the hidden health mysteries? Is it a pastime or a burden? This article will uncover the true effects of mahjong on physical and mental health.
Playing mahjong has a positive effect on mental health
Enhance social interaction and alleviate loneliness
During the Spring Festival, family members rarely get together, and playing mahjong will become an important activity to promote family affection and friendship. Through games, people can increase interaction, communicate emotions, and alleviate loneliness in everyday life.
Stimulates the brain and delays cognitive decline
Playing mahjong requires memory, calculations, and strategies that effectively stimulate brain activity. Studies have shown that regular participation in brain-powered games such as mahjong can delay the decline of cognitive function in the elderly and prevent the occurrence of Alzheimer's disease.
Playing mahjong is potentially harmful to your health
Damage to the spine from prolonged sitting
Playing mahjong for long periods of time and maintaining the same posture can put pressure on the spine. Being sedentary for a long time can easily lead to problems such as lumbar disc herniation and cervical spondylosis. It is recommended that when playing mahjong, get up and move every once in a while and do some stretching exercises to reduce the pressure on the spine.
Lack of sleep can lead to health problems
During the Spring Festival, many people tend to stay up late at night or even all night in order to play mahjong. This irregular routine can lead to sleep deprivation, affect the immune system, and increase the risk of disease. Adequate sleep is essential to maintain good health, and it is recommended to arrange the time to play mahjong reasonably and not to stay up too late.
Potential risks of psychological stress and anxiety
Mood swings from winning and losing
In the process of playing mahjong, winning or losing will inevitably cause emotional fluctuations. Some people feel depressed after losing and even develop anxiety and depression. Long-term emotional instability can have a detrimental effect on mental health. It is advisable to play mahjong as a recreational activity and avoid placing too much emphasis on winning or losing.
Financial pressures caused by funding problems
Some people play mahjong with money bets, and excessive gambling can lead to financial problems and even family conflicts and financial hardship. It is recommended to stay rational when playing mahjong and do not participate in large bets, so as not to lose big due to small losses.
Healthy advice for playing mahjong reasonably
Set a playtime and avoid sitting for long periods of time
Before playing mahjong, you can set the time of each game, no more than two hours. At the end of each game, you can get up and do some simple stretching exercises to relax your neck, shoulders and waist.
Pay attention to the environment and posture
Choose a well-lit, well-ventilated environment to play mahjong and avoid playing in a space that is too dim or enclosed. The sitting posture should be correct, and the chair should preferably have lumbar support to avoid bending over and hunching over for a long time.
Maintain a good mindset
Mahjong should be played mainly for entertainment, and it doesn't matter if you win or lose. Maintain a good attitude, enjoy the process of the game, and don't let the momentary win or loss affect your emotional and mental health.
Practical Case Study: Health Effects of Playing Mahjong
Case 1: Aunt Liu's lumbar spondylosis
Aunt Liu plays mahjong with relatives and friends every Spring Festival, often for several hours. After a long time, Aunt Liu found that she had back pain and was finally diagnosed with a herniated lumbar disc. The doctor advised her to reduce her sedentary time and get up and move every hour, and after adjustment, Aunt Liu's symptoms have improved significantly.
Case 2: Uncle Wang's psychological changes
Uncle Wang is a mahjong enthusiast and plays mahjong with his friends every holiday. However, he was always depressed because of his losses, and even developed mild depressive symptoms. At the suggestion of his family, Uncle Wang reduced the frequency of playing mahjong, began to participate in other social activities, and gradually regained his mental health through psychological counseling.
Data support: the relationship between mahjong and health
Data 1: A study of mahjong and cognitive function
A study in older adults found that people who participated in mental activities such as playing mahjong experienced a 30% slower decline in cognitive function than those who did not participate in these activities. This suggests that moderate mental activity has a positive effect on delaying cognitive decline.
Data 2: The dangers of sitting for long periods of time
According to the World Health Organization, sitting for long periods of time increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, abnormal glucose metabolism, and certain cancers. Therefore, when playing mahjong, it is very important to arrange the activity time reasonably and avoid sitting for a long time.
Practical tips for playing mahjong healthily
Tip 1: Arrange your time wisely
Make a game schedule that doesn't exceed two hours per game. Short breaks and activities can be arranged in between, and long periods of sitting still can be avoided.
Tip 2: Maintain proper posture
When playing mahjong, maintain a correct sitting posture and choose a chair with good support. Adjust your sitting position regularly to avoid muscle fatigue and spine stress caused by fixed postures.
Tip 3: Focus on mental health
Play mahjong as a social pastime, not as a competition. Maintain a good mindset and participate moderately, so as to avoid affecting your mental health because of winning or losing.
Playing mahjong, as a traditional pastime, has its positive psychological effects, but there are also some health risks. By managing your time wisely, maintaining proper posture, and paying attention to your mental health, you can maintain your physical and mental health while enjoying the fun of mahjong. Hopefully, the advice in this article will help you enjoy the joy of family reunion and protect your health during the Chinese New Year.