My Health Regimen | Tomoyuki Kojima (Dean of the Faculty of Policy Management)
April 20, 2006
Mao Zedong, hailed as the "savior" of modern China, is said to have reigned over the People's Republic of China, founded in 1949, for 27 years, during which he continuously smoked, never brushed his teeth, and did not bathe, yet he lived to be 82. Deng Xiaoping, known as the "chief architect of reform and opening up," led the remarkable economic development from the 1980s onward, quit smoking after turning 80, and lived to be 92.
If Deng Xiaoping lived 10 years longer than Mao Zedong by quitting smoking, one could argue that paying attention to one's health is a secret to longevity. However, if even Mao, who didn't brush his teeth or bathe, lived past 80, one could also say that concern for health has little to do with living a long life.
I brush my teeth and take a bath every day, but I have not yet quit smoking. The doctor at the Health Center has warned me, "Professor, you are borderline diabetic," and recommended dietary restrictions and quitting smoking. My family prepares vegetable-based meals for me, but I often eat out at night and finish almost everything that is served. Scolded by my family, I can't help but eat ice cream before bed, and in the summer, popsicles. As for smoking, my doctor has thrown in the towel, saying, "You just can't quit, can you?"
I am aware that these daily habits are not good for my health. My father quit smoking cold turkey on New Year's Day at the age of 60 and lived to be 88. There have been times when I thought I should follow his example. However, even after being told he had diabetes, my father was healthy and ate mostly meat until he was hospitalized at 86. I am not very fond of meat and my diet is centered on fish.
This means I have no "health regimen" to speak of. If anything, it's that I undergo my annual health check-up and adult disease screening, get pointed out for many conditions like "fatty liver," "gastric erosion," and "renal cyst," and then read the note saying, "Please monitor your progress at your next regular check-up in a year," which makes me think, "I should be more careful." However, I also feel relieved, thinking, "No need for a re-examination means I'm still okay." According to a colleague who repeatedly tries to quit smoking, "nicotine gum" is now apparently covered by insurance. Maybe I should join the ranks of those who repeatedly try to quit. The problem is how to combat the stress that comes with "quitting smoking."
(Date of publication: April 20, 2006)