Want To Live Long? See 18 Secrets For Longer Life
1. Protect Your DNA
As you age, the ends of your chromosomes shorten. This makes you more prone to sickness. But lifestyle changes can boost an enzyme that can make them longer. And studies show diet and exercise can aid protect them. In summary,howealthy habits may slow aging at the cellular level.
2. Pay Attention To Details
An 80-year study showed that people who are conscientious -- meaning they pay attention to detail, think things through, and try to do the right thing -- live longer. They do more for their health and make choices that help to build stronger relationships and better careers
3. Make Friends
Here's another reason to express gratitude to your friends: They might help you live longer. Dozens of studies show a direct link between strong social ties and a longer life. So create the time to keep in touch.
4. Choose Good Friends
Your friends’ habits impact greatly on you, so look for people with healthy lifestyles. Your chances of becoming obese increase if you have a friend who adds extra pounds. Smoking also spreads through social ties, so hanging around friends indulging in unhealthy lifestyle will only jeopardize your life.
5. Quit Smoking
We know staying away from cigarettes can lengthen your life, but by how much may surprise you. A 50-year British study shows that quitting at age 30 may give you an entire decade. Stopping the habit at age 40, 50, or 60 can add 9, 6, or 3 years to your life, respectively.
6. Keep The Habit Of Resting
A siesta is standard in many parts of the world, and now there's scientific evidence that resting may help you live longer. Those who have a regular snooze are 37% less likely to die from heart disease than those who rarely have some siesta. Researchers think siesta might help your heart by keeping stress hormones low.
7. Follow A Mediterranean Diet
It's full of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, olive oil, and fish. The plan can also considerably reduce your chances of getting metabolic syndrome -- a mix of obesity, high blood sugar, high blood pressure, and other things that could more likely expose you to heart disease and diabetes.
8. Eat Like Okinawan
The people of Okinawa, Japan, used to live longer than any other group on Earth. The region's traditional diet is high in green and yellow vegetables and low in calories. Further more, some Okinawans made a habit of eating only 80% of the food on their plate. Younger generations have stopped the old ways and aren't living as long.
9. Get Married
Married people tend to outlive their single friends. Researchers say it's because of the social and economic support that wedded bliss provides. While a current union offers the greatest benefit, people who are divorced or widowed have reduced death rates than those who've never lived as couple.
Lose Weight
If you're overweight, slimming down may protect you against diabetes, heart disease, and other conditions that could take years off your life. Belly fat is bad for you, so work on deflating that spare tire. Eat more fiber and exercise regularly to flatten your middle.
11. Keep Exercising
The evidence is clear. People who exercise are likely to live longer on average than those who don't. Regular physical activity lowers your risks of getting heart disease, stroke, diabetes, some forms of cancer, and depression. It may even allow you stay mentally sharp into old age. Ten-minute at a go are fine, as long as they add up to about 2.5 hours of moderate exercise per week.
12. Drink In Moderation
Heart disease is less experienced in people who drink in moderation than in people who don't drink at all. On the other hand, too much alcohol can pad the belly, boost blood pressure, and cause a host of other health problems. If you drink alcohol, the limit should be one drink a day for women and one or two for men. But if you don't drink, don't start. There are better ways you can adopt to protect your heart!
13. Go Spiritual
People who engage in religious activities tend to live longer than those who don't. In a 12-year study of people over age 65, those who engaged in were more than once a week had higher levels of a key immune system protein than their peers who didn't. The strong social network that develops among people who worship together can boost your health.
Learn To Forgive
Letting go of grudges could have surprising physical health benefits. Chronic anger is linked to heart disease, stroke, poorer lung health, and other problems. Forgiveness will reduce anxiety, lower blood pressure, and allow you breathe more easily. The rewards tend to increase as you get older.
15. Use Safety Gear
Accidents are the third most common cause of death in the U.S. and the major cause for people ages 1 to 24. Wearing safety gear is an assured way to boost your odds of a long life. Seatbelts reduce the chances of death in a car wreck by 50%. Most fatalities from bike accidents are due to head injuries, so always wear a helmet.
16. Make Sleep A Priority
Getting enough quality sleep can reduce your risk of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and mood disorders. It can also allow you recover from illness faster. Burning the midnight oil, on the other hand, is not good for you. Snooze for less than 5 hours a night and you would boost your chances of dying early, so make sleep a priority.
17. Manage Stress
You'll never completely avoid stress, but you can learn how to control it. Try yoga, meditation, or deep breathing. Even just some minutes per day can make a difference.
18. Keep A Sense Purpose
Hobbies and activities that have meaning for you can lengthen your life. Japanese researchers found men with a strong sense of purpose had less chances to die from stroke, heart disease, or other causes over a 13-year period than those who were less sure of themselves. Being confident about what you're doing and why can also lower your chances of getting Alzheimer’s disease.
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