Professor Jeong Hee-won, who introduced the concept of slow aging, greeted listeners for the first time as a radio DJ.
On the morning of the 1st, MBC Standard FM's ‘Jeong Hee-won's Radio Pause’ (hereinafter ‘Pause’) aired its first broadcast.
On this day, Professor Jeong Hee-won began by saying, “Today is the day I greet you for the first time.” He continued, “I pondered what story to start with, and a thought that I often feel in the consultation room came to mind,” adding, “As we age, we tend to seek comfort. We hope to obtain money and health easily and comfortably. However, this attitude towards life can actually weaken our body and mind. I will explain why we should accept a bit of discomfort and how that discomfort can positively impact our lives.”
Professor Jeong stated, “At the beginning of each month or year, people recall the goals they have postponed, such as quitting smoking, exercising, and reading. To you all, I would like to propose ‘the mindset of enjoying discomfort’ as a new goal.”
He continued, “This is something I often experience in the consultation room. Many patients complain of pain or discomfort, and doctors look for the cause of the symptoms and provide corrections or non-drug treatments and exercise guidance. However, many patients ask, ‘Isn’t there a simple way to get better with just a pill?’ or ‘Can’t I improve without effort?’ or ‘Please recommend a good supplement.’ It is not uncommon for patients to spend a lot of money on manual therapy, injections, or procedures while visiting multiple hospitals,” sharing specific experiences.
He also added, “I opened an in-depth consultation session where detailed education and counseling could be provided, but I was disappointed that there were hardly any patient visits. What patients want is a way to alleviate their symptoms quickly and conveniently.”
Professor Jeong reflected, “When I thought about the starting point of the problem, it was simple. The social atmosphere was the issue. People take cars for long distances, use elevators, and avoid stairs. Even turning on a switch has become bothersome, leading to the invention of remote controls. The industrial society has developed in a way that pursues convenience,” and pointed out, “Discomfort has been outsourced. Food is ordered for delivery or prepared using meal kits. There is a prevailing atmosphere that avoiding physical and mental activities is preferable.”
He continued, “As society has rapidly grown, a culture of working hard in youth has established itself, and middle-aged individuals tend to think, ‘Now I should live comfortably.’”
Comparing the body to a car, Professor Jeong emphasized, “A car breaks down if used roughly for a long time. However, unlike a car, if a person seeks comfort, that very comfort can damage their body.”
He added, “If muscles are kept comfortable, they weaken, and if the brain is kept comfortable, its function declines. Both muscle and brain functions improve when there is appropriate stress and stimulation. Conversely, if one avoids stress or tries to conserve their body, it can lead to deterioration of function, resulting in dementia and frailty. Ultimately, this can lead to spending old age in bed,” warning that “once the vicious cycle begins, both physical and cognitive functions deteriorate together.”
Professor Jeong Hee-won, who previously worked in the Geriatrics Department at Asan Medical Center, resigned from the hospital on the 30th of last month. As his first step after leaving, he chose to be the DJ of ‘Pause.’ Known for widely promoting slow aging and nicknamed ‘Slow Aging Master,’ Professor Jeong will share health-related knowledge every weekday from 11 AM for one hour through ‘Pause.’
