Did you know there is a good possibility you will live
longer than your parents? Although you are born with certain genes that will
determine everything from your eye color and height to your predisposition to disease,
there are certain factors you are able to control to some extent. One of those
factors is how well you age. While medical research works to find out how to
control aging, many people are living well beyond their and their family’s
expectations. In fact, a growing number of people are living well into the next
century of their life.
Studies are currently in progress around the world to
help determine longevity issues, and the findings are amazing. Researchers have
found pockets of people who have lived well beyond the normal modern day life
span. Here are some common characteristics that may allow you to live longer
than your parents.
Engage in vigorous physical activity. Whether you are a
young jock or nearing retirement age, daily exercise is a must if you want to
live a long life. Physical exercise helps strengthen the heart, and builds
strong bones that help with balance later in life. People have been relatively
active since the beginning of time. Eons ago human beings were actively hunting
and gathering food as well as protecting their territories. In recent years,
people are more likely to be seen sitting in front of their television after
eating too large a meal.
Eat natural food. To stay healthy, people should eat food
as close to its natural state as possible. For example, raw food rather than
canned or cooked due to the micronutrients found in whole foods. Many people
believe eating six small meals throughout the day is better than eating three
large meals with a snack just before bedtime.
Take vitamin supplements. Even if you strive to eat
natural whole food, you may still not get the nutrients you need such as
calcium and certain vitamins. One of the most important is vitamin D which you
can get from exposure to the sun for at least 15 minutes a day, and helps
prevent depression and heart disease among other serious physical problems.
Get a good night’s sleep. Experts believe you should get
at least six to seven hours of sleep at night. Lack of sleep is responsible for
many physical, medical, and mental problems, and can shorten your life span. It
can also cause numerous problems such as foggy thinking, poor memory, and short
attention span among many other ailments.
Build community around you. Embrace your family and
friends, get to know your coworkers, get involved with your community, and you
will find that you have a better chance to live longer than your parents.
Researchers have found those who are involved with community activities find a
purpose in life those who tend to hibernate do not, leading to long life.
Live Long and Stay Healthy - What We Can Learn From Other Cultures
There are areas around the world where people are able to
live longer and stay healthier than ever before in modern history. Researchers
have spent years studying the behavioral habits of those who are living well
into their nineties and an increasing number who are living into their 100s.
While no one knows exactly how long a person will live, there is a growing
amount of research that suggests what may be contributing to their longevity.
Physical - It has been determined that most people who
live long and healthy lives are also more active than their counterparts.
People are working their farms herding sheep and goats and plowing their fields
as their families have for generations. Keeping active helps strengthen the
heart, and helps keep bones strong, preventing falls that are becoming a
leading cause of death in the elderly.
Mental - There are a large number of people who have a
strong will to live. They are bound and determined they are going to outlive
their spouse or live longer than their parents did. Sometimes an inner
determination to survive can make a difference in how long one will live.
Lifestyle - Living a healthy lifestyle by eating the
right foods and exercising daily can add years to one's life. It has also been
noted that people who are socially active seem to live longer and enjoy life
more fully than those who tend to stay by themselves. Keeping close to family
and friends may add years to your life span.
Medical - Disease can take its toll on a person's body
and mind. While people should strive to live long and healthy lifestyles, their
main concern should be to recover from whatever illness may strike as quickly
as possible. Rarely does anyone get away with never getting sick, but how
quickly they can get back on their feet will help determine their overall
health and longevity.
Spiritual - Research has shown that people who believe in
a higher power have a tendency to live longer than those who do not. Believing
in someone greater than yourself, whoever or whatever belief that may be, gives
people hope. And, without hope, people are more liable to fall into depression
and illness thereby shortening their life.
Living Longer by Eating Less Is Easier Than You Think
As researchers continue to search for clues as to why
people are living longer by eating less, those who are already watching how
much they eat are enjoying a more active lifestyle. Not only are they enjoying
life with greater ease, they are more apt to have many more years of living to
enjoy. Here are a few suggestions to help you eat less and live longer:
Commit to losing weight in the long term
Depending on how much weight you need to lose, commit to
taking your weight loss program one day at a time. Start where you are at right
now and aim for a more or less steady weight loss without going on a fad diet
or trying to over exercise. What you are aiming for at this point is living
longer - not getting skinny as soon as possible and possibly dying young. Take
your time by cutting calories and watch the weight fall away.
Commit to a light exercise program
When you eat less food, you do not have to overly push
yourself with hard workout sessions. Again, your aim is living longer.
Researchers are finding that those who greatly increase their exercise regimen
in order to lose weight do not live any longer than those who simply cut
calories while keeping their exercise program light and easy. In fact, those
who over exercise may do greater harm to their body in the long run while
shortening their life span.
Commit to eating healthy food
Just because you are cutting calories does not mean you
need to give up your favorite foods. What it does mean is that you need to use
common sense in what foods to choose so that you can remain healthy while
losing weight. Depending on how active your lifestyle, cutting back on how much
you eat may differ from those who are not as active.
You can still enjoy eating healthy food such as
vegetables, fruits, and fiber. While some choose to eat fewer calories, others
lose weight by switching to healthy food choices.
You know what foods you like, how active you want to be
without excessive physical activity, and what lifestyle you want to live. You
can lose excess weight by keeping in mind what your goal is, taking your time
in reaching that goal, and letting the worry and strain about how you are going
to get there fall by the wayside.
After all, living longer by eating less means you free
yourself from strict, outlandish diets and overly zealous exercise programs and
simply eat less food. Give yourself permission to relax and enjoy life. You
will be surprised how quickly your extra weight will fall away.