What is it that leads certain people to live more than 100 years in an acceptable general state? How to get the most out of life and enjoy it at all times? Sport, without a doubt, is one of the pillars of a long and healthy life . But so is a good diet and a certain genetic predisposition . Here are 13 healthy habits to extend your life as tips for living a long and full life.
The 13 healthy habits to extend your life that you should start practicing now
Before getting into flour, it is important to note that our lifestyle is directly related to the possibility, or not, of reaching an advanced age in good condition. This relationship also becomes closer as the years go by, both physically and mentally.
Aging is part of our life cycle . It is inevitable, or at least for the moment. However, certain ways of life and actions can accelerate this process.
On the other hand, reaching an advanced age with physical and mental illnesses and problems is not the same as doing it in full capacity. According to various studies, those who take care of their habits, live up to 7 years longer and suffer less risk of premature mortality. Let’s see what are those healthy habits to extend life that doctors and personal trainers recommend.
A healthy and balanced diet, the standard habit to extend life
If you really want to have a healthy body to live longer in proper conditions, the first milestone you should work on is to improve your diet and make it healthy and balanced. Bad habits such as excessive consumption of coffee, drugs, alcohol or taco harm your health, and this translates into premature aging.
In this search for balance, we must try to choose those foods that are rich in fiber, vitamins and minerals . They are the essential elements to keep our body “oiled”.
As recommended by nutritionists, the authentic healthy diet as a way to extend life is one that is varied in all the foods that provide the body with these components. In any case, it is necessary to eliminate almost completely the consumption of fats, ready meals and fast food .
Hydration, a very healthy habit that lengthens life through a small gesture
Hydration is not an exclusive need for athletes. Anyone, whether they play sports or not, must hydrate properly every day to keep their body clean.
We all know that our body is mostly water. But we don’t always take care of it. Regularly hydrating the body leads us to have a better general health ; and more in particular, it makes the skin firm and healthy, and it also improves the functioning of our body.
Sleep and rest
They are not the same, and both must be met so that they effectively become healthy habits that extend life. Sleeping little and / or not resting is directly related to a shorter life expectancy , and an increased chance of suffering a premature death. It is recommended to sleep an average of between 6 and 8 hours a day.
Eliminate vices from your daily life
Among the healthy habits to extend life that have the greatest effect is the elimination of any vice and negative component of your day to day . Tobacco use, alcohol abuse grow old. It is scientifically proven. Replace them with physical exercise and good food.
Physical activity
A sedentary life implies less resistance to heart disease and premature aging of our body. Make that commitment to your own body and your mind will also benefit. A good, varied exercise routine helps us balance our ideal weight, improves our self-esteem and frees our mind.
In the same way, the simple act of going for a walk is already an important element to extend life, for example with a brisk walk.
Enjoy the free time
Enjoying our time, free or not , is one of the keys to avoiding stress and living a longer and fuller life. Those people who know how to enjoy each moment, preserve their youth better, in addition to feeling better both physically and mentally. Or what is the same, they achieve a better quality of life.
Do mental exercises
To have a longer and fuller life we not only need a healthy body; we also have to take care of our mind, and exercise our brain daily. Mental gymnastics has been proven to be one of the healthy habits to extend life that most helps us avoid aging brain cells.
Avoid stress
Stress has become an epidemic in the developed world. The work environment, technological pressure and family factors openly expose us to stressful situations, an element that reduces our life expectancy, and which can lead to other health problems such as anxiety or depression.
Active retirement, key to extending life expectancy
Recent studies have causally linked lengthening the active working life with a lower risk of death. In this study, in fact, it is explained that, in addition, this is the case even in those people who do not lead a fully healthy life. Physical and mental activity is an incentive to achieve greater longevity. Already during this stage of life, staying active helps improve the quality of life.
An active sex life
Maintaining intimate relationships on a regular basis has also been shown to be a healthy habit to extend life. And the higher the frequency, the life expectancy increases. Carnal encounters are known to increase the level of hormones such as oxytocin, which reduce stress and increase the immunoglobulin levels of the immune system.
Improve self-esteem
The general mood of a person affects their health, and, consequently, it is understood as a factor for premature aging . Negative thoughts are bad for our mood, yes, but also for our physical well-being, since it costs us more to have an active life. Look for elements that help you regain energy and self-confidence.
Encourage creativity
We have already seen that an active mind is synonymous with a longer and healthier life . An important part of it has to do with creativity and the habits that kill it. Thus, consuming many hours of television or electronic devices has been determined as a way to reduce our brain’s ability to be creative, in addition to being related to the increase in headaches and migraines. Turn off the TV and go outside or do other activities like painting .
Having children lengthens life
Even if you think that children only give you headaches, the truth is that there is a strong relationship between having children and lengthening life expectancy . Several studies have concluded that those women who do not have a child increase the risk of premature death.
