How to Live Longer

The age of 100 is becoming yesterday's age 75. Improved health care and living conditions have helped many more people to live longer. Genetics do play a role in long life; but you can do some things to help you live longer and better. Read on to learn how.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Make room for family. Emphasis on family is tops in helping people to live longer, more satisfied lives.
2. Eat a balanced diet. Science is learning more and more about nutrition with all things pointing to the basics. Eat more fruits and vegetables, less starches, trade white or processed foods and breads for whole grain and whole wheat, and choose fresh over packaged. Watch portion sizes (meat should be the size of your palm; carbohydrates equal a fist.) Eat more dark leafy vegetables. Add moderate amounts of chocolate and a glass of wine to your diet.
3. Keep your weight under control. Keeping your weight under control can help you live longer, and healthier, by helping you avoid the conditions that play havoc with your body. Keeping your weight down will lower your risk of diabetes, which in turn, can lead to high blood pressure, blindness, the loss of limbs, kidney failure and ultimately, death.
4. Be positive. People with positive, half glass full attitudes, are not only more pleasant to be around, but feel better. Good mood and attitude play a big role in how you feel. Approach things at a more relaxed pace to live a longer life. Laugh and don't worry. You'll feel better and may just live longer.
5. Exercise. Regular exercise, at least 30 minutes a day as has been suggested, helps improve your mood by releasing the "feel good" chemicals, endorphins. Exercise your mind also with games and puzzles to keep your brain active.
6. Get a pet. Health Reports was the first to note that heart attack patients with pets lived 28 percent longer Pets help you to relax and help you to get outside of your self. Owning a pet helps older persons living alone to keep focused, feel needed and gives them a sense of purpose.
7. Stop smoking. Stopping will hopefully stop further damage and give your cells time to repair themselves. Better yet, don't start.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure your mattress and pillow are comfortable enough to promote a good night's rest.
• Get the right sleep. Most persons need at least six to seven hours of sleep to function. REM (deep sleep with rapid eye movement) is needed regularly for your body to function properly. Don't under or oversleep.
• Be moderate. Moderation is the key in all things for a better, longer life.