Are you always preoccupied with your mortality?
We haven’t yet reached a point where humans are immortal, but some live longer than most. So what’s their secret to how to live longer?
You’ll notice that everyone is different. Some older adults, when questioned, claim that they eat fatty foods and drink alcohol every day. Some claim that marriage is the key to longevity, while others claim the opposite.
In reality, those elements are more up to chance than anything else. There are a few ways to live longer that is based on reality, though.
Keep reading to learn more.
Stay Active
Everyone knows that a healthy and active lifestyle is crucial for longevity, but many people neglect to get the proper amount of exercise.
Less than one-quarter of American adults complete enough strength and aerobic exercise to meet recommended fitness guidelines. While over half complete enough aerobic activity, very few complete enough strength training.
Fitness is good for all areas of your life. But, first, it helps you maintain a healthy weight. While your weight isn’t the only factor in your overall health, obesity can impact diabetes, heart disease, and troublesome joints. Over 40% of Americans are obese.
Exercise also helps with your mental health. When you exercise, your body releases endorphins. These are “happy chemicals” that flood your brain when you work out.
Endorphins help to block pain, lower anxiety and even improve depression.
Finally, exercising while you’re in your younger years will keep you more fit as you get older. While many people experience mobility challenges as they age, you will have less pain and fewer challenges if you maintain a strong body in your youth.
Improve Your Diet
The foods that you put into your body are just as important as your exercise routine. So what is your diet like?
The standard American diet isn’t the best choice for the majority of people. For example, 63% of America’s calories come from processed or refined foods instead of whole foods.
There are a lot of empty carbs, unhealthy fats, and the worst offender: sugar.
So what should you be eating instead?
First, try to make sure that you have a balanced diet. This means that you should try to get fruits and vegetables in every day, even if they aren’t the focus of your meal.
You want to make sure that you’re getting appropriate nutrition from your food. How much protein are you getting? What about fiber and minerals?
Omitting sugar is difficult (especially in America), but do your best to be mindful of what you’re eating and its sugar content. Remember that even fruit has a large amount of sugar. Professionals suggest that women have no more than 24 grams of added sugar per day, and men have no more than 36 grams of added sugar per day.
While we eat food for its taste most of the time, food fuels our bodies. Therefore, it needs to be nutritious if you want to live a happy and healthy life.
Limit Harmful Substances
Speaking of what you should eat, there are also things that you should avoid or cut back on.
“Everything in moderation” is a phrase that applies here. Of course, you never want to “overdo” anything that could be harmful to your body, but small amounts are generally inconsequential.
Do you smoke cigarettes? It might be a good time to quit. Smoking damages your lungs, your heart, and your throat. It can even lead to cancer.
Tobacco is actually responsible for one in five deaths every year.
Most adults consume alcohol on some level, but how much do you drink? First, you want to make sure that you’re drinking in moderation. While alcohol doesn’t have to be harmful, it can cause several serious physical and mental health problems when used in excess.
Learn how to quit bad habits and omit bad substances.
Visit Your Doctor
What’s better for living a long and healthy life than going to the doctor now and again?
Many people neglect their routine doctor visits. Whether it’s due to cost, anxiety, or a lack of time, it’s understandable that not everyone would be able to see a doctor when they feel the need to.
Do your best to make visiting the doctor a priority. Your routine doctor visits will catch any potential problems before they’re too serious about dealing with them. In addition, your doctor may notice that something needs work that you haven’t caught onto yet.
Make sure that you bring any concerns to your doctor during every visit.
Take Care of Mental Health
Did you know that your mental health and your physical health are connected? So how well do you take care of your mind?
While mental health is stigmatized, you should try to see a mental health professional if you feel like something might be wrong. Also, consider bringing it up during your routine doctor visits.
You should also be keeping yourself sharp and social. These things lead to healthier aging.
Get Enough Sleep
Do you get the recommended amount of sleep every day? One of our top tips for living longer is to make sure that you catch the recommended amount of “Zs” every night.
Studies say that the average adult needs anywhere between 7 and 9 hours of sleep per day. There are outliers on either side.
Not getting enough sleep stops your body from healing and processing overnight. You’ll wake up feeling tired, unwell, and irritable. You may have a hard time staying focused, and you’ll be at a greater risk for injury.
Sleep lets your body recover after exercise and keeps you feeling healthy and strong.
Manage Stress
Did you know that stress can have an impact on your health?
Stress management isn’t always easy. With busy lifestyles, stressful workplaces, and more, stress is inevitable. That said, you should do your best to avoid and soften stress when you can.
Stress can lead to hypotension, cardiac problems, and poor mental health. You’re damaging your mind and body if you’re under constant stress!
Try taking time for self-care. Make sure that you have access to things that can de-stress you when you’re struggling. These things can include sensory objects, a journal, exercise equipment, or even “fun things” like games or DIY spa day items.
Try to practice mindfulness. Learn to meditate and separate yourself from the stress of “real life.”
That’s How to Live Longer
If you want to learn how to live longer, start following some of these tips.
Go to frequent visits to the doctor’s office, eat well, stay active, and make sure that you’re taking care of your mind.
We won’t all live to be 100 years old (at least not yet), but you can stay active and healthy for longer if you pay enough attention to your health.
Are you looking for more healthy living tips? Then, check out our article on getting started with fitness!