11 Ways To Live A Few Decades Longer

Scientists continue to find interesting discoveries about our DNA that helps them determine ways to live a longer and healthier life. Here are some of the essentials that have been collated from various studies to help you understand how important (and very possible!) it is to live a long, happy life.

1. Watch What You Eat

You can add 10 more years to a fruitful life by eating meals cooked at home and avoiding food with high levels of oil, fat, carbohydrates and preservatives (1). Our bodies need energy derived from healthy food that is fresh and rich in nutrients. Why indulge in snacking that hurts your biological system when you can eat tasty and healthy food that keeps you fit and beautiful?

2. Avoid Tea And Coffee

Drink green tea instead of caffeinated hot drinks. Regular tea and coffee contain caffeine and minerals such as calcium, potassium and magnesium which could be harmful if consumed in high amounts. It is important to maintain a balance. Caffeine amounts can get notoriously tricky when it comes to addiction that slowly builds after regular intake. Your body could experience major withdrawal symptoms if you miss a dose of coffee, but that won’t happen with green tea. If you have problems adjusting to the flavor, add some honey and lemon to taste things up and ease the transition.

3. Increase Fish In Your Diet

Fish and seafood in general contain amino acids that benefit your body and prevent Alzheimer’s disease. Contrastingly, meat increases the chances of getting cancer (2). And like they say, prevention is always better than cure. Not that you give up on meat completely, but try to choose fish over red meat. Making this one change could add a couple of more years to your life span.

4. Spend More Time With Friends

Human beings are social by nature. People need human contact, and communication plays a significant role in our well-being. Enjoy different activities with friends, be it attending concerts, travelling together or experimenting with a new hobby. That will give you a good 3.7 years more.

5. Stay Fit

Our body is designed for exercise and movement. It doesn’t have to be straining physical activities that you dread performing. Instead, you can simply go for a walk or get into a little yoga every other day for 30-40 minutes. If you are inclined, do about 15 hours of exercise a week. It will make sure you sleep well and live 4 years longer (3).

6. Have A Healthy Sex Life

Making love has numerous health benefits. It is good for the heart and strengthens your nervous system. Your hormones stay balanced and firm. Plus, it’s a great cardiovascular exercise for those who prefer staying in bed! As long as you are getting naughty with your partner for at least three times a week, you are good for life.

7. Take Care Of An Animal

Animals, especially dogs or cats, are great additions to a family. Not only are they lovable and always there for you, but they restore that faith in living which helps add another 3-5 years of happiness. Popular opinions suggest that dog owners tend to live longer because these lovely creatures make sure that the parents exercise regularly by taking them for a walk (4). Bonus? Dogs are loyal to a fault!

8. Meditation For The Mind

Silence is helpful in keeping the mind calm and relaxed. Meditation is beneficial for the mind since it ensures that you become one with your body and breathe deeply thus relieving stress and imbalances if any. Rest assured, your brain cells are in check, heart conditions are less likely to trouble you, and a good amount of sleep just happens effortlessly. Now, why wouldn’t you want those 5 extra years?

9. Six Hours A Day Keeps The Doctor Away

Sleeping for a healthy number of hours comes with happy surprises. You’d be amazed how quickly your body recovers from fatigue, accumulates energy and helps your brain process information efficiently. Additionally, regular sleep of six hours keeps your nervous system stable and lowers your chances of dying by almost 14 years (5).

10. Keep Working After 70

Retirement doesn’t have to be synonymous with not working. In fact, doing different kinds of physical and mental work allows your brain to be healthy and gives you a sense of dignity and value. That confidence is an additional 2 years of life right there!

11. Be Happily Married

You can be sure of your marriage lasting longer if you mix in a significant amount of love, friendship and mutual respect. Then you and your partner can live those 2-3 extra years being happy together.

You see, it’s the little things like diet, open-mindedness, compassion, silence, and sleep that keep you on the right track and add years that will be just as beautiful as the ones passed. I mean, we are all here for a short while, right? So why not make this life as beautiful, healthy and promising as possible.

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Chandrama Deshmukh

   

Creativity has no limits. And words have no barriers. Together they can create magic, bridge all gaps.I work with words. Words that sound great, words that make sense, words that sell and words that tell..

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