Some Ways to a Longer and Healthy Life

May
2010

Here are 8 things you can start doing today to help you live a longer and healthier life.

1. Exercise your heart with four or more times per week for at least twenty minutes. Walking is a good way to start, but you can also use for this purpose an exercise bike or even walk or swim in a pool if you have access to it. A strong heart is the foundation of a healthy lifestyle.

2. Do strength training two to three times a week. You can use dumbbells, elastic bands or weight machines. Aim for about 10 exercises that are using all major muscle groups and do these exercises as frequent as it is possible. Sports and fitnesshelp you to slow the loss of muscle mass that is coming with aging.

3. Have a square of dark chocolate every day. Look for cocoa content of at least 60% on the label when buying chocolate. Dark chocolate is a powerful source of antioxidants and also has a beneficial effect on your mood.

4. Once or twice a day, stop the things you’re doing and breathe ten deep breaths in a row. Slowly fill your lungs up all over and exhale slowly. Deep breathing is like pressing the reset button on your level of stress.

5. Exercise your brain by learning new things on a regular basis. Take a new hobby, read a new book, learn a new game of cards, or cook new foods. New things are like food for a healthy brain.

6. Eat healthy fats daily. Try to buy a kind of nuts, almonds or walnuts in particular, whenever you go to the grocery store and eat a handful every day. Avocado and olive oil are also good sources of healthy fats.

7. Eating five servings of fruits and vegetables per day. You have fruit at breakfast, cooked vegetables at lunch and dinner, and raw vegetables, fruit, or salad for snacks. Five servings a day is not so much or difficult if you plan it ahead.

8. Try to be optimistic. Look for good things in life instead of the bad, and it will seem like more good things happen. Believe it or not, a positive attitude has been shown to benefit your physical health and even add some years to your life.

You may already have some of these things, which is excellent. What can you add? Choose at least 3 and get started today. The key to success is consistency. Day after day, week after week. Only after this period of time you will see the great results which will make you happy and healthy!