7 Ways to Live a Longer Life
You would be hard pressed to find someone who doesn't want to live a long life.
But just as important as longevity is the quality of your life.
If you make just a few changes in your life, you can add years to your life.
1.
Fruits, Veggies and Fitness The most basic ways to improve your chances of a long life is eating a plant-based diet and getting regular exercise.
That doesn't mean you have to be a vegetarian, just that you want to get at least four servings of fruits and vegetables every day.
The fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants can dramatically lower your risk of heart disease, cancer and other afflictions.
It's a myth that you need to be a gym rat to see dramatic health benefits from fitness.
But moderate exercise most days of the week, like a 30 minute walk, can do wonders.
Daily exercise would better your chances for finding the fountain of youth.
2.
Control Portions It's one thing to eat healthy foods, but you also don't want to be gluttonous.
In a 2008, St.
Louis University researchers found that eating less calories lowers the production of T3, a thyroid hormone that slows metabolism and speeds up the aging process.
3.
Have a Healthy Sex Life It's an amazing thing that being sexually active (safely, mind you) can also have positive health effects.
Besides burning calories, frequent sex may also boost your immune system, lower your blood pressure, improve sleep, and be good fo your heart.
4.
Be Social Being a loner is not good for your health.
If you don't have a strong foundation of friends and family around you, research shows that you are at greater risk of heart disease.
Loneliness appears to affect the elderly most, as they are prone to depression.
5.
Accentuate the Positives Having a positive outlook on life can actually make your life longer and healthier (and even weight loss ).
Pessimists are prone to an early grave.
A 2002 Mayo Clinic study found that optimists decreased their risk of early death by 50 percent compared to pessimists.
The reasons are unclear, but it may be linked to an immune system boost among other factors.
6.
Moderate Alcohol Consumption This recommendation is a little tricky, in that people with substance abuse problems should never touch alcohol.
Most health experts don't recommend starting to drink alcohol for its benefits, but if you are already a drinker, very moderate consumption may have heart benefits.
That's one daily drink for women and two for men.
7.
Keep Learning Keeping an active mind can keep your body and mind healthy for a long time.
Besides having a sharp mind in your golden years, learning and challenging your brain can also lower stress and improve self worth as you find meaning and purpose in your life.
But just as important as longevity is the quality of your life.
If you make just a few changes in your life, you can add years to your life.
1.
Fruits, Veggies and Fitness The most basic ways to improve your chances of a long life is eating a plant-based diet and getting regular exercise.
That doesn't mean you have to be a vegetarian, just that you want to get at least four servings of fruits and vegetables every day.
The fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants can dramatically lower your risk of heart disease, cancer and other afflictions.
It's a myth that you need to be a gym rat to see dramatic health benefits from fitness.
But moderate exercise most days of the week, like a 30 minute walk, can do wonders.
Daily exercise would better your chances for finding the fountain of youth.
2.
Control Portions It's one thing to eat healthy foods, but you also don't want to be gluttonous.
In a 2008, St.
Louis University researchers found that eating less calories lowers the production of T3, a thyroid hormone that slows metabolism and speeds up the aging process.
3.
Have a Healthy Sex Life It's an amazing thing that being sexually active (safely, mind you) can also have positive health effects.
Besides burning calories, frequent sex may also boost your immune system, lower your blood pressure, improve sleep, and be good fo your heart.
4.
Be Social Being a loner is not good for your health.
If you don't have a strong foundation of friends and family around you, research shows that you are at greater risk of heart disease.
Loneliness appears to affect the elderly most, as they are prone to depression.
5.
Accentuate the Positives Having a positive outlook on life can actually make your life longer and healthier (and even weight loss ).
Pessimists are prone to an early grave.
A 2002 Mayo Clinic study found that optimists decreased their risk of early death by 50 percent compared to pessimists.
The reasons are unclear, but it may be linked to an immune system boost among other factors.
6.
Moderate Alcohol Consumption This recommendation is a little tricky, in that people with substance abuse problems should never touch alcohol.
Most health experts don't recommend starting to drink alcohol for its benefits, but if you are already a drinker, very moderate consumption may have heart benefits.
That's one daily drink for women and two for men.
7.
Keep Learning Keeping an active mind can keep your body and mind healthy for a long time.
Besides having a sharp mind in your golden years, learning and challenging your brain can also lower stress and improve self worth as you find meaning and purpose in your life.
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