5 Ways To Help You Live Longer
In an ideal world, everyone would get to live longer. This doesn’t always happen of course, and sometimes nothing can be done to extend a life. However, in the majority of cases changing your lifestyle and quitting bad habits can help hugely, and increase your longevity. Here are some of the best ways to help that happen.
photo/ Steve Buissinne
Exercise
One of the most important things you can do to help you live longer is to exercise regularly. The best kind of exercise is aerobic, and running or jogging is the ideal way to achieve this. It gets your heart working faster and more oxygen is pumped around your body, keeping your organs healthy. Running also has the added benefits of reducing high blood pressure, increasing lung capacity, and reducing stress, all of which can add more years to your life.
Eat More Vegetables
If your mother always told you that you should eat your vegetables, she was right! Those who eat more plant-based foods are healthier (and have the potential to live longer). Processed meat in large quantities is bad for your health, causing high cholesterol and weight gain. Therefore, although you don’t necessarily need to cut it out completely, reducing it and eating fruits and vegetables instead is a much healthier option.
Quit Smoking
Smoking is a habit that can have serious life-limiting effects. It is addictive, which is why it can be so hard to quit, but the sooner you are able to give up entirely, the more healthy you will be and the less chance you will have of developing smoking-related diseases. Due to the addictive nicotine content, sometimes it just isn’t possible to quit ‘cold turkey’ which is why using e-cigarettes or vapes is a great alternative. It is less harmful and can be the ideal stepping stone to eventually quitting for good.
Reduce Alcohol
Alcohol, as with most things, is fine in moderation. However, drinking too much can have seriously negative effects on your body and your mental health, and it is far better to cut down and be healthier than to risk becoming ill. If you do want to have something to drink, it’s a good idea to pick red wine. One glass of red wine for women and two for men a day has been shown to be good for your heart since it contains an antioxidant called resveratrol.
De-Stress
Stress is something we all suffer from at various points in our life, and when it is momentary, it can actually be good for us, making us more alert and focused. However, when stress becomes chronic, it can have a negative impact on our health in general, causing depression or physical conditions such as heart problems or high blood pressure. If you can reduce your stress as much as possible, you’ll have a healthier, hopefully, longer life. It is often easier said than done, but enjoying yoga and Pilates, trying mediation, or simply taking time out to relax when you need to can all help.
Author: Carol Trehearn
