No cold in 40 years: 93-year-old doctor reveals daily habits behind his health
What a 93-year-old psychiatrist does to live a longer life (Collage: RBC-Ukraine)
93-year-old South Korean psychiatrist Lee Si-hyeong is living proof that old age can be active, fulfilling, and productive. The doctor is still practicing medicine and has no plans to retire.
Chosun Daily explains which daily habits of the renowned psychiatrist are worth adopting.
What we know about the 93-year-old psychiatrist
During a recent TV appearance, Lee shared the principles that help him stay in excellent shape. His secret isn't expensive medication or medical treatments, but healthy daily habits and a particular mindset.
A strong sense of responsibility
Despite his status, Dr. Lee regularly uses public transportation. He voluntarily gave up his driver's license at the age of 75 after noticing that his reaction time had slowed with age. Rather than risk other people's safety, he decided to stop driving altogether.
Interestingly, people aged 65 and older in South Korea can ride the subway for free. However, the 93-year-old psychiatrist always pays for his own trips. He says that as long as he continues to work and earn an income, he doesn't want to rely on government support.
He also deliberately avoids sitting in the priority seats reserved for older passengers. According to Lee, if a younger person sees him standing nearby, they may feel uncomfortable and feel obliged to give up their seat.
Daily exercise is non-negotiable
The psychiatrist considers regular, moderate physical activity the foundation of his health.
Every morning begins with a 30- to 40-minute workout that includes stretching, calisthenics, push-ups, squats, and time on a stepper machine. He finishes the routine with a short meditation session to prepare for the day ahead.
In the evening, Dr. Lee always goes for a walk, completing three laps around his residential complex, which takes about 30 minutes. His golden rule is simple: never skip a workout under any circumstances.
Even while traveling for work, he makes time to exercise in his hotel room. According to Lee, the best approach to healthy aging is to move a natural part of everyday life.
Dr. Lee exercises every day (Photo: chosun.com)
Strength forged through hardship
Another remarkable fact about Dr. Lee's life is that he hasn't caught a cold in the past 40 years. He attributes this extraordinary immunity to the hardships he experienced during childhood and adolescence.
When the future psychiatrist was in his first year of high school, the Korean War broke out.
He grew up surrounded by extreme poverty, hunger, and constant hardship. Yet, according to Dr. Lee, those harsh conditions helped build an exceptionally strong constitution.
He believes the challenges he faced in his youth laid the foundation for his resilience, physical endurance, and optimism throughout the rest of his life.
This material is for informational purposes only and should not be used for medical diagnosis or self-treatment. Our goal is to provide readers with accurate information about symptoms, causes, and methods of detecting diseases. RBС-Ukraine is not responsible for any diagnoses that readers may make based on materials from the resource. We do not recommend self-treatment and advise consulting a doctor in case of any health concerns.
