History has proven that there is no fountain of youth; however, science has shown that there are ways of living longer, healthier and happier. Increased longevity does not solely rely on taking a pill to reduce your cholesterol or lower your blood pressure. Instead, it is about taking care of yourself every day and preventing the break down of the body that leads to illness. Medical research shows that implementing and maintaining certain lifestyle habits can add years to your life.
Lose weight and keep it off. Being overweight puts stress on your organs and greatly increases your chances of getting heart disease, cancer or other life-threatening illness. Consult your doctor to figure out what your healthy weight should be and then make a plan to reach that weight and stay there by eating healthy and exercising consistently.
Eat a diet of all-natural, organic, whole foods focused around lean meat and fish, fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains and seeds and nuts. Avoid fast food, processed or refined foods and sugar. Eating healthy every day ensures your body receives optimal nutrition. What you put into your body is what you get out of it.
Eat smaller meals and reduce your caloric intake. "Your diet has to be lower in calories if you want to live longer. There is no question about it, you have to burn all the food you take in," says Julian Whitaker, M.D. of Consumer Health. When you take in more calories than you can use, you put a burden on the body's organs and digestive system, which must work harder in order to process the extra calories.
There is some evidence to support that by reducing your caloric intake by up to 40 percent you can increase longevity. Calorie restriction should only be undertaken after consulting your doctor. Simply eating healthy and eating smaller portions can reduce your calorie intake by up to 10 percent, which is enough to reduce some of the strain on your body's systems.
Get plenty of sleep. The body does much of its maintenance--repairing damaged tissues and recharging energy sources--during the night while you sleep. Not getting enough sleep cuts its repair time short and can lead to illness. You should get at least 7.5 hours per night. If you are not getting this amount, you can make up some of the deficit by sleeping in on the weekends.
Exercise for at least 30 minutes every day. Regular exercise has many positive benefits on the body, including increased energy, a stronger immune system, increased joint mobility and an overall sense of well-being. Walk, swim, bike, dance, or go to they gym. Take the stairs instead of the elevator, walk instead of driving, just move!