It's the little things that count when it comes to a bigger lifespan. These subtle yet important changes in your lifestyle can help you live longer, healthier and happier. What are you waiting for? Be pro-life this point forward.
1.Meditate.
Starting the day with just 2 minutes of meditation can be more beneficial than one hour of the deepest sleep. Sit with your spine erect and try to quiet your thoughts. Time to switch the channel to Ram Dev's every morning.
2.Cut your calories to 1,500 a day.
Exoerts say that one of the secret's behind Japan's longevity may be their lower calorie intake, 1,500 calories a day. Try reducing your portion size by 25% to avoid overeating as it leads to risk of obesity, heart diseases, Type 2 diabetes and even bowel cancer.
3.Laugh it off
The funny thing is that the humans are one of very species that laugh. A laugh a day may help keep ill health further away. Research also shows that it lowers levels of stress hormones, and heightens the activity of the body's natural defensive killer cells and antibodies.
4.Quit smoking.
This maybe the millionth time you've heard this and probably even promised yourself. But here's another time you will be hearing why smoking is bad for you. Each time you light up, you are hurting your lungs and heart.
5.Walk it out.
You need to go to your Chowk to buy some grocery? Leave your bike/scooty at home and walk. Spend 30 minutes, 5 days of week of your free time and just walk around the neighbourhood. Walking benefits health by protecting from cancers and cardiovascular disease.
6.Drink green tea.
Green tea has been drunk by the Chinese to treat everything from headaches to depression as it packs plenty of antioxidants. One cup of green tea a day helps reduce the risk of oesophageal cancer by 60% and lowers cholesterol.
7.Keep a pet.
Sometimes, it gets too much when your pet dog slobbers all over your but having a pet can add years to your life. Pets make you feel optimistic and relaxed, lowering blood pressure and also helps combat depression, encourage laughter and stimulate exercise.
8. Make friends and keep them.
A network of good friends works better than close family in increasing longevity in older people. It was also found that those who had a strong network of friends were 22% less likely to die compared to those with the weakest social network. What are you waiting? Time to start cherishing old friends or learn to make new ones.
9.Marry well.
It is typically used to describe people who marry someone rich but we're talking something entirely different: genetics. It might sound shallow but when you are choosing a life partner whom you'll be making babies with, pick someone whose grandparents are still alive. This does not benefit you longevity but it might help your children live long.
10. Have sex more
No one needs an excuse to get in on but now, have sex at least 3 or 4 times a week as it is thought to reduce the risk of heart attacks. Also, sex and touching are thought to be essential parts of health, releasing an assortment of beneficial chemicals in the body. Having intimate sex also means you are less stressed and happier.
11. Regular self examination
For women, this means regularly examining their breasts, and males should regularly check their testicles for lumps.
Get to know how your body parts normally feel and look, and report any changes, such as a lump, to your doctor. Early diagnoses will mean early recovery as well.
12. Flossing
Bacteria from gum disease can enter the blood stream and fur up your arteries. Floss twice daily and frequent a dentist every 6 months.
