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Do you think your life depends on your genes? If you think Yes, then please understand your genes have a small role to play in this matter.
Your diet, habits and lifestyle determine how long you can live. If you want to live a long and disease free life, pay attention to the following points.
Habits for Longevity: Try It Today
1. Be happy
The feeling of happiness can increase your life. Happy people have a 3.7 percent chance of dying early. If you’re happy, you may live 18 percent longer than your unhappier counterparts. Here a surprising fact emerges. If you’re happiest when you’re 22, you’re more likely to live another six decades.
2. Be spiritual
People who visit religious places live longer than those who do not. Visit temple, gurudwara or church more than once a week for better immune system. Furthermore, the social network among people who worship together can also keep you healthy and make you live longer than average.
3. Eat plenty of healthy plant foods
Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans and seeds increase longevity. Plant foods contain many nutrients and antioxidants, including vitamin C, folate, carotenoids and polyphenols. Therefore, plant-based diet reduces the risk of cancer, depression, cardiovascular diseases and reduces the chances of premature death.
Vegan diet reduces the chances of premature death by 15 percent. Also, it reduces the chances of kidney, heart or hormone related diseases by 52 percent.
On the other hand, eating meat regularly leads to many diseases and premature death.
4. Eat More Nuts
Did you know that nuts are powerhouses of nutrition? They contain fiber, protein and antioxidants. In addition, nuts contain several vitamins and minerals, including niacin, folate, potassium, magnesium, and copper.
Nuts keep you safe from high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, inflammation and some types of cancer. To reduce the risk of premature death, consume at least 3 walnuts per week.
5. Live an Active Life
Include at least 30 minutes of physical activity every day. If you are unable to exercise continuously for half an hour, then divide it into three sessions, 10 minutes each. Start with walking, running or aerobics for the first week. When your body is ready, do weight lifting or resistance training.
6. Lose extra weight
Exercising regularly is an ideal habit to keep you healthy. However, if you are obese then focus on losing weight. Because fat body becomes vulnerable to many diseases including diabetes. So, focus on reducing belly fat and staying active, joining a gym and including outdoor activities in your lifestyle.
7. Get married
Bad news for bachelors.
Married people live longer than their unmarried counterparts.
Isn’t it clear. After marriage, many times you get social and sometimes financial support as well. So, you live longer.
8. Know the art of napping
You might not believe it, but naps can help you live longer.
Taking frequent naps reduces the chances of heart diseases by 37 percent.
Naps keep your stress levels down, thereby protecting your heart.
9. Cut down on alcohol consumption
Excessive consumption of alcohol causes diseases related to liver, kidney and pancreas. However, moderate consumption of alcohol keeps many diseases at bay.
For example, wine contains polyphenol antioxidants that help you live longer. So, go for wine over beer and spirits.
It specifically provides coverage against heart disease, neurological disorders and diabetes. But, if you do not consume alcohol then do not start consuming wine.
10. Don’t smoke
If your plan is to live longer, it’s time to quit smoking. Secondhand smoke damages your lungs and arteries, increasing your risk of cancer and stroke.
11. Make Friends
Be honest with your friends. Strong social ties increase your lifeline. So take out time to stay in touch with your loved ones.
Thank You 🙏
- The Impact of Healthy Lifestyle Factors on Life Expectancies in the US population
- Lifestyle Medicine: The Health Promoting Power of Daily Habits and Practices
- Human longevity: Genetics or Lifestyle? It takes two to tango
- Lifespan and Healthspan: Past, Present, and Promise
- Live Long in Good Health: Could Calorie Restriction Mimetics Hold the Key?
- Height, body size, and longevity: is smaller better for the humanbody?