[Harumanbo Harucheonja] If You Give Up the 'Lie Down and Eat Rice Cake' Life, More Things Become Easier

Neuroscience and Brain Health Expert Professor Kim Jaejin

Advancement of Transportation and Smartphones
Diseases Behind Convenience
Manbocheonja Campaign Very Desirable

If Knee is Bad, Walk on Flat Ground Instead of Hiking
Brisk Walking at Slightly Stiff Level

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-ju] The daily life of Professor Kim Jae-jin, a leading expert in neuroscience and brain health at Gangnam Severance Hospital's Department of Psychiatry, is busier than anyone else's. Well-known as a specialist in mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety disorders, Professor Kim sees numerous patients on clinic days and dedicates his time to research and academic activities on non-clinic days. Since becoming the inaugural president of the Korean Digital Therapeutics Society, launched in October 2021, he has been leading research on digital therapeutics (DTx), a new treatment market, and serving as a bridge between the medical community, academia, and industry.

Professor Kim’s secret to health management, despite his busy schedule that leaves little time for dedicated health care, is none other than ‘making exercise a part of daily life.’ Increasing walking time in everyday life is key. Professor Kim said, "No matter how high the stairs are, I always walk up, and when I have to travel for work, I use the bus or subway instead of driving a car." He added, "I try to eat low-carb and small portions, and on weekends, I make sure to exercise more thoroughly by playing golf or hiking." Professor Kim welcomed Asia Economy’s 2023 National Brain Health Project ‘Harumanbo Harucheonja’ campaign, saying, "I hope this campaign will serve as a foundation to improve not only the physical health but also the mental health of our people."

"In the era of ‘lying down and eating rice cakes,’ physical and mental health deteriorate"

Technological innovation has dramatically improved the quality of life for people living in the modern era compared to the past. For example, the development of transportation opened the ‘global village era,’ which was unimaginable just 100 years ago. As of the first quarter of last year, the number of registered cars in South Korea surpassed 25 million, meaning one car for every two people. The advancement of the internet and smartphones allows people to contact anyone anytime, watch engaging videos easily, and shop conveniently from home. As of October last year, the number of smartphone subscriptions in South Korea was 54,249,506, indicating that virtually the entire population uses smartphones.

Professor Kim Jae-jin, a psychiatrist at Gangnam Severance Hospital, is lost in thought while walking along a forest path in Chungju, Chungbuk. Having studied the brain and cared for patients for 30 years, Professor Kim emphasizes the need to overcome a "piece of cake" life. A life that is only convenient can cause physical and mental health problems. The solution Professor Kim stresses is "walking." He himself practices walking in his daily life.
[Photo by Professor Kim Jae-jin]

However, behind this convenience lies a hidden decline in physical and mental health. Actual health-related indicators have worsened year by year. According to the National Interest Disease Statistics from the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service, the number of patients visiting hospitals for obesity more than doubled from 14,966 in 2017 to 30,170 in 2021. Since this figure only counts patients who visited hospitals, the actual number of obese patients is certainly higher. Mental health issues are also at a serious level. The number of depression patients increased by 33.9%, from 680,169 in 2017 to 910,785 in 2021. Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic further devastated both the physical and mental well-being of our people.

Professor Kim diagnoses this situation as living a life of ‘lying down and eating rice cakes.’ He explained, "Technological innovation is remarkable, and the ways and tools we live with have all changed to require less effort," but he added, "While lying down and eating rice cakes is easy, it is also easy to choke and suffer." This metaphor means that the convenience of the era can have adverse effects on humans. Professor Kim pointed out, "The problem is that behind this ease lies harm to physical and mental health," adding, "Exercise decreases, warm human relationships diminish, and problems that cause overeating arise."

"Harumanbo Harucheonja, a great force to solve health problems"

Walking and writing can be the most basic habits to correct the ‘lying down and eating rice cakes’ lifestyle. Walking requires no special equipment or cost. Anyone can easily manage their health if they have the will and time.

Professor Kim’s health management secret also focuses on walking. Enjoying hiking and practicing walking in daily life, when asked about his usual walking routes, he said, "I live right next to the best walking course. My house is right beside Tancheon Stream." He added, "Nowadays, walking courses along rivers or streams are well maintained in every city nationwide." This means that although we may not easily recognize it, good walking courses can be found close to home. It could be building stairs or getting off one or two stops earlier when using public transportation and walking the rest of the way.

Professor Kim Jae-jin is walking along a quiet mountain path covered with fallen leaves. Professor Kim praised walking, saying, "I really enjoy walking on such mountain trails."
[Photo by Professor Kim Jae-jin]

Professor Kim emphasized the need for brisk walking within one’s physical limits and shared proper walking know-how. He explained, "Hiking on mountains with elevation changes is good, but for those with knee problems, walking on flat riverside or streamside paths is better," adding, "If you walk too slowly, the exercise effect decreases, so a brisk walk that makes your legs slightly sore is ideal."

The reason Professor Kim, who has devoted his life to the brain health of the nation, has high hopes for the Harumanbo Harucheonja campaign is clear. He emphasized, "In my 30 years of brain research, I have seen media reports on the brain, but this is the first time I have seen such a systematic national campaign," adding, "I sincerely hope this campaign will have a great impact and serve as a foundation to improve not only the physical health but also the mental health of our people."

He also expressed his intention to try handwriting, which he had neglected until now, starting with the Harumanbo Harucheonja campaign. Professor Kim said with a smile, "Since I do everything on the computer, I haven’t had a chance to write by hand," adding, "I will deliberately start handwriting practice." When asked for a phrase to remember while practicing Harumanbo Harucheonja, he introduced a sentence from his book ‘Wisdom of Reverse Thinking’: "Lying down and eating rice cakes is not easy. The easy path prioritizes convenience, but the final destination is various diseases. Move diligently and walk; many problems will become easier."

▶ Bachelor of Medicine and Master’s and Doctorate degrees from Seoul National University ▶ Resident in Neuropsychiatry at Seoul National University Hospital ▶ Research Professor in Nuclear Medicine at Seoul National University Hospital ▶ Associate Professor at Yonsei University College of Medicine Severance Mental Health Hospital ▶ Director of the Medical Behavioral Science Research Institute at Yonsei University College of Medicine ▶ Head of the Department of Psychiatry at Gangnam Severance Hospital ▶ Deputy Director of Medical Affairs at Gangnam Severance Hospital ▶ Chair Professor of the Department of Psychiatry at Yonsei University College of Medicine ▶ Full Member of the Korean Academy of Medical Sciences ▶ Full Member of the International Society for Brain Mapping and Therapeutics ▶ Chairman of the Korean Schizophrenia Society ▶ Chairman of the Korean Brain Mapping Society ▶ President of the Korean Digital Therapeutics Society

Editor's NoteAsia Economy is conducting the ‘2023 National Brain Health Project’ through the ‘Harumanbo Harucheonja’ campaign. ‘Harumanbo Harucheonja’ is a movement to walk 10,000 steps and write 1,000 characters daily to maintain a sharp brain and enjoy a healthy 100-year lifespan. To support this, the ‘Harumanbo Harucheonja Newsletter’ provides subscribers with recommended walking courses and writing content. The ‘Harumanbo Harucheonja’ campaign is the most cost-effective and wise exercise to protect yourself and your family.