Many of us wish to live a long, happy life. We dream of watching our children grow up, becoming grandparents, and being able to enjoy life without the stress and hurry that comes with it. However, in order to fulfill those dreams, we need to be healthy. Wouldn’t it be amazing to become healthier as we age, and not the other way around?
For that to happen, you need to lead a healthy lifestyle throughout your life. It would be ideal to start taking care of our health integrally when we are young so that we can prevent illnesses. Unfortunately, many of us don’t learn what it means to have a healthy lifestyle until we are adults.
However, it is never too late to strive to be as healthy as possible in order to have a long, enjoyable life. In this article, I will share some of my favorite tips with you so you can start implementing them in your daily routine.
Make Healthy Food Choices
There is a lot of information out there about this topic, so you probably already know that food and health go hand in hand. My personal recommendation is to consume a wide variety of plant foods, such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, whole grains, and beans.
Studies show that eating these types of foods decreases your chances of premature death. These foods are packed with nutrients and antioxidants such as polyphenols, carotenoids, folate, and vitamin C. Consuming them is linked to a lower risk of cancer, metabolic syndrome, heart disease, depression, and brain deterioration.
It may seem daunting to start including more veggies in your diet, but it doesn’t have to be! There are thousands of recipes online to help you make your plate greener and tastier. If you need some ideas, check out this post on clean eating and how to add healthy foods to your diet.
Move Your Body
Staying physically active can keep you healthy and add years to your life. You don’t have to become a full-blown athlete. The important thing is to try to include exercise in your daily life. My tip is to aim for about 30 minutes of activity a day, as many days of the week as possible.
It might be even easier if you break it into three 10-minute bouts of daily activity—a 10-minute walk in the morning, another at lunch, and a stroll after dinner. Did you know that your risk of premature death may decrease by 4% for each additional 15 minutes of daily physical activity? Take that into account next time you’re not feeling like going for that walk!
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Cut Smoking and Drinking
The numbers when it comes to how smoking can affect longevity are frightening. According to research, overall, people who smoke may lose up to 10 years of their lives and be 3 times more likely to die prematurely than non-smokers.
The same study shows quitting smoking at age 30 could give you an entire decade. Stopping at age 40, 50, or 60 can add 9, 6, or 3 years to your life, respectively. So don’t worry if you’re already over 30; it’s never too late to start adding years to your life!
Furthermore, alcohol consumption is linked to a series of health issues, including 7 different types of cancer, liver disease, and blood pressure problems. Besides, being drunk increases your chances of being involved in accidents, which decreases your life expectancy.
However, this doesn’t mean you can’t have a glass of wine every now and then. Just do it in moderation. In my experience, life is overall much more enjoyable when sober. For starters, you’ll never have to deal with a hangover again!
Join a Longevity Program
Investing in a longevity program is an excellent option if you’re serious about wanting to live a long, healthy life. These programs usually consist of comprehensive health check-ups, genetic and physical tests, and personalized recommended actions to increase your chances of living longer.
I firmly believe a good longevity program is worth your time and money, given that they approach health from a holistic point of view and they give you a chance to know your body better so that you can make wiser decisions. If you’re interested in one, I recommend you check out David Drew Clinic costs and benefits.
Living Longer is Up To You
The steps you take now to change your habits will add years to your life. It’s not hard at all to improve your health: eating healthier, exercising, quitting smoking and drinking, and attending a longevity program are a few things you can start doing today. Not only will you live more, but you will live healthily, worrying less about diseases and more about being happy and relaxing.
What are some other tips you recommend to live a longer, happier, healthier life? Please let us know in the comments below.