A Preliminary Exploration of the Boundaries of Exercise and Sexual Health: Analyzing Protective Inhibition, Optimal Exercise Timing, and the Power of Sexual Intercourse to "Kill or Save" [i]

Exercise plays such an important role in our lives, but is it really true that "exercise has no limits" as advertised? [i] American neuroscientist Justin Rhodes found in his research that the brains of mice addicted to exercise were less responsive than those of mice with normal exercise levels. [i] It is clear that exercise also has its limits. Once these limits are exceeded, it is not only not beneficial but also harmful. [i] The body itself has a "protective inhibitory" function. [i] When exercising excessively, due to the consumption of a large amount of energy, people will feel extremely tired, weak all over, and their brains will react slowly. [i] If excessive exercise is carried out for a long time, the main symptoms include: poor concentration, insomnia, forgetfulness, etc., which will cause great harm to health in the long run. [i] It is clear that exercise should be done in moderation and should not exceed the limits. [i] In addition to controlling the amount of exercise, it is also important to control the intensity of exercise. Generally speaking, the duration of each aerobic exercise session should be 30 to 60 minutes. [i] In addition, weekend fitness enthusiasts can choose suitable activities and engage in moderate exercise nearby after meals, connecting their workouts like a chain [i]. Everyone can decide their workout time according to their own habits [i]. Jogging on an empty stomach in the early morning is perfectly acceptable, provided that you do not experience unsteady steps, dizziness, or excessive cold sweating while walking [i]. When exercising on an empty stomach, the body's organs have to consume fat, protein, sugar, etc., stored in muscles and the liver [i]. Never go three hours after waking up without drinking any water [i]. If exercising before a meal, rest for at least half an hour after exercising before eating, and rest for at least one and a half hours after eating before exercising; if exercising in the evening, it should be scheduled at least two hours before bedtime [i]. The ideal time to exercise is not in the early morning, but rather in the period close to dusk, when exercise achieves the best results [i]. Temperature changes have the most direct and obvious impact on fitness training [i]. When the temperature is too high (above 35℃), there is a risk of heatstroke during fitness training [i]. If you experience discomfort such as fever, dizziness, headache, or dry mouth, stop exercising immediately[i]. The impact of low temperatures on exercise should not be ignored[i]. Low temperatures primarily cause localized frostbite and hypothermia[i]. Prolonged exercise in cold environments (such as long-distance running) can lead to excessive heat loss, resulting in dizziness, decreased coordination, and unsteady gait[i]. In such cases, do not lie down to rest, as this will further lower your body temperature and may even cause unconsciousness[i]. The correct approach is to avoid exercising on an empty stomach, wear appropriate clothing, and control the duration of exercise[i]. "Food and sex are the greatest desires of humankind"[i]. Ancient China placed great importance on the sexual life of men and women, considering it as important as food and closely linking it to health and wellness[i]. The ancients believed that "sexual intercourse can kill or give life; therefore, those who can use it can nourish life, while those who cannot can die instantly." This means that sexual activity has a dual nature: it can be used to nourish the body, but it can also damage health and even shorten lifespan. To gain more benefits and avoid harm, the key lies in mastering the principles and methods of sexual intercourse and arranging sexual life reasonably. First, they believed that sexual activity was necessary for people. The famous Tang Dynasty physician Sun Simiao said, "Men cannot be without women, and women cannot be without men. Without women, desires will be aroused, desires will be aroused, and arousal will shorten lifespan... Forcibly suppressing and closing it off is difficult to maintain and easy to lose, causing seminal leakage and turbid urine, and even diseases such as ghost intercourse." Sun's words are very reasonable and deserve great attention. All healthy adult men and women must have normal sexual activity. If they forcibly suppress it, it will not only be of no benefit, but will also lead to stagnation of qi and blood, nocturnal emission, ghost intercourse, seminal leakage and turbid urine, and various other diseases. Ancient texts have mentioned that many diseases are caused by a lack of sexual activity[i]. For example, according to the "Biography of Cang Gong" in the Records of the Grand Historian, a woman from Han suffered from back pain, frequent chills and fever, and irregular menstruation[i]. Chunyu Yi diagnosed her, saying, "This disease is caused by the desire for a man but the inability to have one[i]." This shows that sexual activity can not only strengthen the bond between husband and wife and bring harmony and happiness to the family, but also prevent certain diseases and promote the physical and mental health of both partners[i]. Therefore, the ancients repeatedly pointed out that sexual activity is a normal need for healthy adults[i]. Second, sexual activity must be moderate[i]. The ancients believed that moderate sexual activity is beneficial, while excessive sexual desire will bring disaster and illness. Therefore, they repeatedly emphasized that sexual activity must be moderate[i]. Sun Simiao, a physician of the Tang Dynasty, believed that indulging in lust would inevitably lead to premature aging and a short lifespan. He especially opposed "taking tonics and doubling the intensity of sexual activity," otherwise, "the essence would be depleted," and one would suffer the consequences[i]. In his book *Sanyuan Yanshou Canzan Shu*, Li Pengfei of the Yuan Dynasty described in detail the harmful effects of excessive indulgence in sexual activity[i]. He believed that excessive and indiscriminate sexual activity would deplete vital energy, exhaust the marrow and brain, cause kidney deficiency and impotence, and lead to deafness and blindness[i]. The extent of its harm should not be underestimated[i]. Consider the feudal emperors whose harems were filled with beautiful women; they indulged in wine and women all day long, leading to unrestrained debauchery, and as a result, they all died young[i]. Throughout China's long history, there have been more than 300 emperors, whose average lifespan was 41 years[i]. Most died young due to their indulgence in lust and their decadent lifestyle[i].