How can I live longer? It’s an age-old question that everyone asks themselves onetime or another in their lifetime. Whether you have had a recent health scare or simply want to live a healthier life, there are plenty of things you can do live a longer life. The great news is that you don’t need to make drastic changes to your life in order to live longer; rather, you can make small changes to the way you live each day which over time will make a huge impact on your life. Below are a few key tips that you can incorporate into your day-to-day life to help you live a longer, and more importantly, happier life.
Exercise
This one’s obvious but nonetheless important. If you stay active, you will live longer, it’s as simple as that. Exercise reduces the probability of heart disease, weight gain, and even depression. But what you may not know is that you don’t have to work out like an olympic athlete to reap the life extending benefits of exercise. People who maintain a low intensity workout regimen throughout their life can get all the life saving benefits that exercise provides. Furthermore, a low intensity workout regimen is easier to maintain, making it less likely for people to quit.
Rethink The Way You Eat
Ever wonder why people in remote areas of the world consistently live to be over 100? Their diet plays a big role. These people live by a few adages that you can easily put into your diet to live longer. The first is to eat until you’re 80% full. This way you can control your portions and maintain your weight and nutritional balance easier. The second is to eat more during the morning and decrease your food intake in each meal following. Not only will you feel healthier, but you will reduce the urge to eat late at night which usually consists of foods that are detrimental to your health.
Build Your Social Network
Now don’t go on Facebook and start adding hundreds of “friends”. By building your social network we mean building a network of friends and family that can rely on each other through the ups and downs of life. Having friends and family you can rely on not only relieves stress when you are in need of help, but studies show that by simply being there for others you will have a better outlook on life as well. By helping others, you give yourself purpose which lifts your mood and gives you a more positive perception of the future.
Find Purpose
Much like being there for your social network, having a purpose can play a vital role in the longevity of your life. Find a hobby, seek out your dream job, give time to those who are less fortunate than you. No matter what it is, it is important to have something in your life that makes you excited to hop out of bed each morning. A great way to tackle this is to write your life’s mission statement. What do you want to achieve in life, where do you want to go, who do you want to be? Then, create a list of how you can achieve these dreams. Simply putting your goals and aspirations on paper can give you the lift you need to find your purpose in life and lift your mood and optimism for the future. The key is to never lose your childlike curiosity.
Relieve Stress
Stress is king when it comes to breaking our bodies down. Even a small stressor like
traffic can slowly build up and make us tense and anxious. By relieving stress you will see a major improvement in your day-to-day health, which in turn will improve your health
in the long run. Great stress relievers include mindful yoga, peaceful walks in the park, and even talking with friends. The key is to find a way to unwind each day and not let the little things pile up.