The human body was designed to live to age 100 to 120. Most of us have developed daily habits that limit our potential to living a healthy life to that of a centenarian. What matters now is that you take control from this moment forward.
Stop the habits that are not serving you such as smoking, eating fast food, etc. and choose habits that your body will thrive on.
Healthy lifestyle habits will increase your chances of living to 100 or more. The seven keys are as follows:
1. Good nutritional diet
2. Regular exercise
3. Manage stress
4. Regular sleep
5. Be Happy
6. Love
7. Avoid Toxic Overload
Any habit takes 14 to 21 consecutive days to develop into a regular pattern. Once the pattern is formed, your new healthy habits will begin to replace the bad habits as you go along.
Seven Healthy Habits For Longevity
:
1. Good Nutritional Diet
Drink filtered water avoiding chemicals that are normally used to treat water. Water is very important for proper lymphatic drainage and hydrating the cells to prevent buildup of toxic waste products. Avoid water softeners that take away essential minerals.
A daily diet of fresh green leafy vegetables (raw or steamed) will provide the necessary roughage to keep the system regular. Eat wild Alaskan salmon and cut back on your consumption of beef and poultry. Suggest 75% alkaline foods. Avoid ALL trans fats, hydrogenated fats and sugar. Use extra virgin olive oil and flax oils.
Add supplements to make sure you are getting all the nutrition you need. Minimum recommendations are a high quality multi-vitamin/mineral, Omega 3 fish oil, and vitamin D3.
2. Regular Exercise
Daily exercise is ideal by taking a walk, going for a swim, yoga or whatever appeals to you. If you cannot find time on a daily basis, then at least get the body moving 3-4 times a week. Regular exercise will not only strengthen your immune system, but put you in a better mood and increase your energy level.
3. Manage Stress.
Many do not realize how important the role of stress plays in our daily lives. Stress is the root cause of most of the diseases that shorten our life span. Stress has the ability to change our body’s chemistry that can lead to chronic diseases. A wonderful way to eliminate or manage stress is to learn meditation. You can start with just a 5-minute mediation each day and gradually work your way up to 15-20 minutes. Explore other methods in managing stress such as Tai Chi or yoga classes. Do your research and find a way that works best for you.
4. Regular Sleep
It is important to get regular sleep, usually 7-8 hours is considered quality sleep for the average person. Make sure your bedroom is quiet, dark enough for sleeping and cool enough temperature.
5. Be Happy
Have a positive mental attitude. Do at least one thing each day that gives you happiness or pleasure such as doing a good deed for someone.
6. Love
Research has shown that people who have someone close to them (married or a special relationship) to love tend to live longer. Pets are also considered a good example of providing that emotional comfort that provides a sense of peace. In other words we all need some type of companionship (human or pet) to survive. To love others makes us happy.
7. Avoid Toxic Overload
One way to avoid many dangerous chemicals is to buy only organic foods and use ‘natural’ or ‘biodegradable’ cleaning products. Select a healthy environment by avoiding toxic chemicals in the air you breathe (i.e., cigarette smoke, toxic fumes that come from living near freeways). Be sure you do not live in a home that has used lead paint or carpeting that has been made with chemicals that emit toxic fumes into the air. These are just a few examples of being alert to where and how you live on a daily basis.
“A smile will gain you ten more years of life.” (Chinese Proverb)
