Recently, the term “crispy youths” has become a buzzword, which, as the name suggests, refers to individuals with fragile bodies that “break easily.” According to data from the National Cancer Registry Center, the incidence of cancer among young people (aged 20 to 39) has increased by nearly 80% in recent years. Cases of overwork and sudden deaths among young people are not uncommon. In September 2023 alone, an emergency department in Zhengzhou received more than 1,700 patients aged between 18 and 25, with conditions ranging from trauma, abdominal pain, chest tightness, to hyperventilation syndrome.
Sub-health conditions among young people have become a common phenomenon. Searching social media for the keyword “crispy college students” reveals a variety of incidents involving accidental injuries and “sudden illnesses.” The protagonists are often the bloggers themselves who post videos or images, while comment sections are filled with stories shared by fellow peers about their own “crispy” experiences.
As a result, young people have started exploring health preservation, particularly in the realm of “traditional Chinese medicine,” showing signs of a burgeoning trend in TCM health practices. As reported by Chao News, by 5:30 PM on December 12th, a long queue had already formed outside the evening clinic of a local TCM hospital's massage department, with all treatment beds fully booked.
Foot baths, moxibustion, hiking, Baduanjin exercises, dietary therapy, herbal remedies… On social media platforms, one can find not only advertisements for health products but also numerous attempts by young people to prevent becoming “crispy.”
Massage, acupressure, Tai Chi…
“Crispy Youths” Begin “Self-Salvation”
Tang, a student at a police academy in Hangzhou, is due for a physical fitness test soon. Concerned about failing, he visits the massage department every week for professional help.
“The doctor's techniques are very professional. Each session includes acupuncture, physiotherapy, and massage, lasting around forty to fifty minutes. Afterward, I feel completely relaxed,” said another interviewee, Yin, who also comes from a nearby massage parlor. “I have some issues with my cervical spine. Previously, I would get massages at a spa and even spent thousands of yuan to become a member. However, after comparing, I found that the hospital is much more cost-effective. A combination of massage, tuina, and acupuncture costs just over 200 yuan per visit, and it's covered by medical insurance.”
Zhou Xiang, director of the massage department at the local hospital, said, “Our department serves almost 400 patients daily, and I personally treat around 50 people each day. We don't get any breaks from morning until night, and there are even more patients on weekends.” He added that the department now offers evening clinics until 8 PM and has doctors on duty during lunchtime.
Xiao Yu, 32, fell in love with Tai Chi a few years ago and has felt real changes in her body.
“Actually, I haven't practiced Tai Chi for long because it requires a lot of endurance. When doing horse stances, I often felt knee pain. Later, I discovered Baduanjin, which is much easier to stick to. It's a daily exercise routine that doesn't require special conditions and effectively relieves the physical and mental fatigue caused by sitting for long periods.” Xiao Yu practices Baduanjin every night before bed and feels a noticeable improvement in her mood and sleep quality.
Herbal coffee, ginseng night-owl water…
“Lazy Health Preservation” through Dietary Therapy Gains Popularity
Compared to “self-salvation,” many “crispy youths” have adopted a “lazy health preservation” mindset, focusing on dietary therapy for health. Interviewee Xiaowei mentioned that she usually buys drinks containing herbs like Astragalus online and follows various health tips on social media platforms.
“It's said that eating fish oil can prevent memory decline, while taking vitamin B and biotin can protect hair and increase volume…” Xiaowei and several other post-90s and even post-00s individuals expressed that they frequently come across bloggers who create health anxiety to promote health products and attract followers online.
“Ginseng night-owl water,” “herbal coffee,” best-selling gua sha tools, and popular health courses are just some of the new businesses spurred by the wave of youth interest in health preservation. Infusing goji berries in thermoses has become a standard practice among young people.
Interviewee Lin noted, “Sometimes what I drink isn't just a cup of health tea; it's also a form of psychological comfort.” She explained that since encountering health issues during a physical examination, she has been searching online for corresponding health preservation methods. “My family always advises me that it's better to wake up an hour earlier and jog outdoors in the morning, but it's so cold outside, how can I run?”
Age-Related Diseases Become More Common Among Young People
Experts Suggest Changing Unhealthy Lifestyle Habits
The China Sports Daily analyzed the reasons behind “crispy youths,” stating, “With the acceleration of life's pace, the work pressure on young people has also grown significantly. Coupled with poor living habits and inadequate sleep and regular diet, their bodies cannot receive sufficient rest and recovery, leading to declines in function and the onset of diseases.”
In 2020, DXY and China Youth Daily jointly released the “2020 China College Student Health Survey Report” (hereafter referred to as “the report”). The survey included 12,117 “digital natives” studying at different universities across various cities. According to the report, 86% of college students reported experiencing health concerns within the past year. The top three concerns were poor skin condition, insufficient sleep, and emotional problems.
Data showed that 23% of college students reported being diagnosed with an illness at a hospital within the past year. The three most common illnesses were oral diseases, acute gastroenteritis, and skin diseases.
Zhou Xiang, director of the massage department at Zhejiang Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, stated, “Problems with the cervical and lumbar spine used to be more common in older adults, but these conditions are becoming increasingly prevalent among younger people. Some IT professionals in their twenties and thirties have cervical spines similar to those of people in their forties and fifties.”
Additionally, Ji Quan, chief physician of orthopedics at Beijing Hospital, commented, “Some young people also have misconceptions about health. Although they understand the importance of health, they often neglect their own well-being in practice. They sacrifice their health in pursuit of academic and career success, making them the main force among ‘crispy youths.'”
Therefore, experts suggest implementing active measures to improve the health status of young people. Schools and society should work together to foster an environment that values health and cherishes life, guiding young people to establish correct health concepts. When facing life pressures, young people should learn to manage their time and energy reasonably, ensuring adequate sleep and regular diets, allowing their bodies sufficient time to rest and recover. They should take responsibility for their own health, change unhealthy lifestyle habits, cultivate health awareness, enhance their health levels, and scientifically prevent various diseases.