Just as it is important to know what is necessary to increase your longevity, you also need to know what will shorten your life. No doubt, you already know that using tobacco products will take years off of your life, but there are also other things you need to be aware of to avoid a decrease in your anticipated years.
Not Having a Purpose for Living
Human beings need to have something or someone which they will get out of bed for in the morning. Many seniors find that they are happier and have less stress if they volunteer for some kind of service. Staying busy – and feeling needed – helps reduce blood pressure, will help to keep you active, and gives you better brain function. It also provides ongoing social interaction.
Not Taking Care of Your Teeth and Gums
Researchers have confirmed that many harmful and fatal diseases (more than 100 of them) begin from inflammation. One common source of inflammation comes from something most people would never suspect – gum disease.
Gum disease is present when your gums bleed and start receding (gingivitis). At least half of all adults in the U.S. have it. Its presence indicates that inflammation is already circulating through your bloodstream. Regular brushing and flossing each day can remove the early stages of gum disease.
Eating Too Much Too Often
While most everyone likes to stuff themselves at the table on occasion, doing so regularly is shortening your life. Researchers know that in areas of the world where people live the longest, they avoid gorging themselves. They also eat fewer calories in their diet.
In various animal studies, reducing calories led to a considerable extension of their normal lifespan. A reduction of calories by about 30 percent enabled some creatures to live an additional 50 percent of their normal lifespan and others lived up to 300% as long. Exactly how it affects the human body is still being researched, but it is somewhat difficult to measure.
Skipping the Recommended 8 Hours of Sleep
Sleep has been proven to be necessary to have good health. It does this in several ways. One way that sleep improves your health is that it helps to improve your immune system. It will not only help prevent you from getting sick, but when you do, it will help you recover faster.
The body also works to heal itself during sleep, which includes helping with weight loss. Having more sleep each night will make you less hungry and your metabolism will change if you also eat fewer calories. A lack of sleep also makes people more susceptible to allergy attacks.
Avoiding the Outdoors
Not taking advantage of the sunshine in the outdoors – as well as the fresh air – will shorten the lives of many people. While it may be more comfortable to stay indoors, going outdoors often will help you live longer.
Vitamin D, which naturally comes from sunshine, is a powerful ingredient for better health and longer life. The best part about it is that you only need about 15 minutes of sunshine per day to get the required amount. Estimates reveal that only about 50 percent of adults get enough of this important vitamin.
Recent studies have found that vitamin D helps to reduce the likelihood of getting some dangerous diseases. It is also responsible for the release of several hormones – including testosterone and hormones for insulin regulation. Building strong bones is another benefit and it also has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
