These days Hong Kong is on a lot of people’s mind. Today I want to share with you something that has held my fascination for years. How do everyday people in Hong Kong stay healthy, in a city where access to government medical care is difficult and crowded?
Morning Exercisers
When I visit my family in Hong Kong, I would get up around 6am and run a mile along the promenade. There are many reasons I choose early morning. For one, the air is fresher and cooler in the morning. The main reason is that I love joining groups of elderly working out at the morning hour in the local open space. In fact, usually the seniors are already well into their exercise routines by the time I show up. When most of the city gets to work at 8 or 9am, the seniors would have all left, leaving not a trace in the parks. Some would go to the morning market to shop the fresh grocery for dinner of the day, other help get their grandkids to kindergarten. They are called morning exercisers.
No Gym membership, no Fitbits
What is amazing is everyone person exercises in his or her own way. Some of the seniors do Tai Chi or dance cha-cha in groups. They are usually acquaintances and usually would continue the socialization at Dim Sum breakfast afterwards. Periodically, I have joined a group or two as a total stranger. They welcomed me with open arms and invited me to tag along for breakfast. Other would find a spot under a tree to exercise alone. Some would take advantage of the exersise apparatus installed at local residential parks. Plenty of the people choose to hike up the mountains. Then a few brave ones swim in the ocean off the rocky shores, year-round regardless of winter temperatures.
The stronger ones would do push-ups, pull-ups or sit-ups. Even the old man in wheelchairs could stand up long enough to get a upper body workout by pushing a large wheel for several minutes at a time. Some use stationery bikes. They do what they can. Many would be satisfied with swinging their arms. Totally organic, no expensive gym membership, no fitbits. I even striked up a conversation with a woman in her 50’s doing somersaults on the ground back-and-forth the entire time. She asked me to join her, I declined.
Happy and Healthy
They chat about their grandkids, tease each other over their better-than-normal stamina that morning. Most of the time they would talk about the dinner menu of the day, tips on the best nourishing soups to ward off the ills from the weather, or share tips on where they can get cheaper prices on bok-choy. Each person is a wellness expert on his/her own! One thing is clear. Regardless of age, people take their wellness as a personal way of life, as a personal responsbility to build up the reserve to delay sickness as long as possible. Clearly to Hong Kong worldview, health is not merely a lack of sickness, but a reserve of vigor. The sense of community is strong.
Best Places to Watch
Visiting Hong Kong and curious to watch? Some of the best places to watch the morning Tai Chi are the local open spaces in residential areas such as the promenade by the Island Resort in Siu Sai Wan, the Hong Kong Park and the Kowloon Park. Remember the best action is between 6 to 7am.
What has inspired you about health and wellness from your travel? Is there anything you can think about American culture of wellness that you like or, wish to improve? Drop me a note below. Love to hear from you!
