Most happy people can agree that they would prefer to live a long life rather than a short one. After all, there’s so much to look forward to once you reach retirement age. The great news is that there are ways to extend your life expectancy by making healthy choices in your younger years. Read on to find out some of the most effective ways to live a longer and healthier life.
Work Out
Working out doesn’t just give you a great bikini bod—working out can actually increase your life expectancy. Physical activity helps you avoid obesity-related diseases and keeps your body strong, which avoids injuries like broken bones or twisted ankles. Above all, exercise improves your heart health. Since heart disease is one of the leading causes of death in adults, it’s a great idea to keep your heart as healthy as possible.
Avoid Stress
Sometimes it’s easier said than done; however, the more you can avoid stress in your life, the more that your body will thank you for it. Stress doesn’t just give you extra wrinkles, but it can actually wear down your immune system. Try to live a Zen lifestyle as much as possible. That means cutting out toxic people from your life and doing things to make you happy.
Avoid Substances
We all love a nice margarita in the summertime or a gorgeous glass of red with a nice steak. However, heavy drinking is connected to all sorts of health issues. The same goes for cigarettes. Try to avoid substances like alcohol and cigarettes, and your chances of living longer will increase significantly.
Smile More
It may sound crazy; but, being happy can actually increase your lifespan. Spend as much time with people you love as you can, and laugh at all the jokes. The more fun that you can have with life, the longer that you’ll live, according to statistics. Scientists aren’t exactly sure why, but it’s a great excuse to have fun!
Eat Well
There’s nothing wrong with enjoying yourself once in a while when you eat. After all, life is meant to be enjoyed, and food is one of the best parts of life. However, it’s important that the majority of your foods come from natural and nutritional sources. Expecting to live a long life living on processed and fast foods isn’t realistic. Eating a diet that is rich in lean proteins, whole grains, and plenty of fruits and vegetables is the best way to ward off disease and keep your body healthy.
Above all, remember to avoid eating too much of anything. Too much of anything is never good, so try to vary your food groups!