6 Ways to Live a Healthy and Long Life
These days health and wellness is a big topics that is on a lot of people minds, yet with the internet there is too many messages and not all giving off accurate information which can then make things seem overwhelming and confusing to the average person seeking assistance on what to do. This alone can cause stress and leave one to give up on their search to improve their health and wellness and just go about their every day doing things to damage their bodies instead of helping to improve it. However, what one may fail to realize is that without health, they can’t have wealth and live a long life; they go hand and hand.
1. Minimize Stress While some stress is necessary to maintain life and keep one active; excessive stress places strain on our immune system, messes with our hormones, slows the metabolism down and increases fat storage in the body. Healthy practices like prayer, meditation, guided imagery, acupuncture, massage, tai chi, are beneficial. These days more and more people are finding bliss in partaking in yoga for it is a gentle way (sometimes) to reduce stress.
2. Exercise
a. Regular exercise is one of the most effective ways to reduce one’s biological age. It has been shown to improve mood, improve brain function, improve the body’s antioxidant defense mechanism, decrease pain and reduce depression. It has also been shown to reduce the risks of Alzheimer’s disease, heart disease, diabetes and dementia. Research indicates that intense interval exercise is more beneficial to the body that long-duration, lower intensity exercise. However, to ensure you can achieve this without hurting yourself. You must build up slowly.
3. Healthy Diet Limiting refined everything is imperative inclusive of carbohydrates. Carbs do help to control blood sugar and eating plenty of foods high in antioxidants such as fresh fruit and vegetables, whole grains, nuts and seeds, dark chocolate, green tea are helpful in controlling free radicals. Omega-3 fats and fibers are also important and can be sourced from fatty fish, fish oils, pumpkin seeds, dark green vegetables, walnuts, grains, corn, oats, rice and legumes. It is also important to drink plenty of water to maintain hydration. Aim for half of your body weight per day
4. Ample Rest
a. Sleep, relaxation is imperative for one to function in this day in age. One can’t continuously go, go, go and not have repercussions with their body.
b. Cut off the caffeine after 2 or 3 pm. to avoid having trouble sleeping.
c. Sleep in a pure dark room with no light coming in from the window, the computer, the phone, the TV or any other electronic
d. Try to get 6 to 8 hours of sleep most nights of the week
5. Positive Outlook
a. Whether it be having faith, being spiritual, affirmation, what ever have you, find a way to keep positive even when things look bleak.
6. Take A Vacation
a. Every month, Season, year it is imperative to take a vacation and these days it quite imperative to take mental vacations too. Vacations helps to ease the body, soul and mind so that it can operate at an optimum level.
HAPPY HEART HEALTH MONTH!