Increasing Longevity Through Better Health

For the longest time, it was often thought that your genes determined your lifespan. While genes certainly play an important part in it, they are not alone. There are some things you can do to help ensure a longer life. The opposite is also true – not doing some things can shorten your life. Do these 5 things to increase longevity.

Eat Healthy

Although junk food – aka “comfort food” – is often mindlessly eaten when bored, watching TV, or stressed, it is known to cause health problems when eating it often. It is usually high in either salt or sugar – neither of which is good for you. Both can raise your blood pressure or sugar levels, and too much will soon lead to extra weight around the middle. When allowed to continue for long periods, this condition can definitely shorten your life.

The extra salt or sugar is largely why many Americans are overweight and have blood pressure or sugar problems – or both. Cutting down on salty and sweet foods and drinks will enable you to lose the extra weight and can help you to regain normal blood pressure and blood sugar levels. You also want to avoid overeating – which also leads to health problems. Reducing the amount of food you eat by about 10 percent can increase longevity

When cutting down on comfort foods, you will need to increase the amount of healthy foods you eat. Eating more fruits and vegetables will help you stay full longer and help you feel better. Remember that fruit also contains sugar so it will need to be eaten in moderation.

Reduce Stress

Allowing stress to continue unchecked is a sure way to shorten your life. It will also contribute to the development of high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, and heart disease. Stress can also produce more immediate symptoms, such as headaches, asthma, depression, skin conditions, digestive problems, sleeplessness, and more. It also leads to eating more comfort foods – which can lead to obesity.

Exercise

Cutting down on stress can help you achieve longevity. One of the best ways to do this is through regular exercise. Although other means can reduce stress, exercise offers several benefits, including increased heart health, and reducing blood pressure and blood sugar levels. It also produces endorphins, which help to give you a feeling of well-being, and helps you feel happier.

Exercise does not need to take a lot of time each day. You only need a minimum of about 15 minutes a day. Continuing this amount of exercise can add three years to your life.

Quit Smoking and Drinking

Both smoking and drinking alcohol will often lead to premature death. Smoking can reduce your life expectancy by 10 years. Quitting at any age can help you feel better, taste your food again, and extend your life more. Drinking too much alcohol will shorten your life. Limiting your consumption can extend your life and reduce your risk of a wide range of diseases including damage to the heart and liver, pancreatitis, cancer, sexual dysfunction, malnutrition, and more. 

Getting Enough Sleep

Enjoying life, for some people, means staying awake for more hours in the day. Sleep is often looked at as being optional. Unfortunately, it is not true. A continued lack of sleep will shorten your life because it increases your risk of developing health problems such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and more. Getting enough sleep each day – about eight hours for most people – will help you feel and function better during the day and enjoy life longer.