Thursday 6 June 2013

20 TIPS HOW TO LIVE LONGER


Life Expectancy (novel)
Life Expectancy (novel) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Life expectancy for both men and women has continued to rise. To ensure that you are one of those living longer, (who does not want to live?) here is a list of 20 great tips to increase your life expectancy.

Tip 1: Laugh more


laughter
Laughter (Photo credit: withrow)
Our health will benefit from laughing because according
to research, it can boost blood flow and it may also reduce the risk of getting heart disease.


Laughter is a form of stress release as it has also been found to boost our immune system which in turn help our bodies to fight infections, relieve hay fever, ease pain and also help control blood sugar levels especially in diabetics.

The after effect of laughing can last around 30 to 45 minutes. 

So get busy and laugh everyday!

Tip 2: Adjust sleeping time





It may come as a surprise to some of you to know that life expectancy may be reduced by sleeping more than eight hours a night. 

A study found that people who get only six to seven hours sleep a night live longer than those who sleep eight hours or more, or less than four hours.

So if you are forty and looking sixty, you know what to do.

Tip 3:  Eat more garlic

Garlic
Photocredit: Wikipedia

Garlic is 'nature's antibiotic'. It is a powerful antioxidant for the body and regular consumption promotes a healthy heart and circulation by lowering blood pressure and cholesterol. It can boost our immune system to fight off infections and bacterial attacks.

Strong evidence have suggested that garlic helps with the prevention of cancers of the digestive system, including the oesophagus, stomach, colon and rectum.  If you dislike the pungent smell or  taste of garlic, you may choose to try the odourless supplements that are available in all pharmacies.

So ramp up your intake of garlic (if you like it raw, please remember to use mouthwash after consumption.)

Tip 4: Boost your sex life



Photocredit StockFreeImage.com

Having sex between three to four times a week is thought to reduce the risk of having a heart attack or stroke in half. 

During sex, the average person maintains their heart rate above 70 per cent of the maximum, making sex a wonderful CV workout! Sex reduces stress, leads to greater contentment and better sleep.

The key is to be spontaneous and have fun!



Tip 5: Drink tea
Tea Photocredit: Photobucket.com
There are many studies done to support the benefits of drinking tea.  Both the black and green tea are said to promote health and prevents chronic disease

Recent research studies also revealed that the antioxidants in tea may increase bone density, good for your teeth, inhibit the growth of cancer cells, and strengthen your heart functions.

Circulation: The Journal of the American Heart Association, has published a report that heart attack patients who drinks tea have lowered their risk of death by up to 44 per cent,  compared to non-tea drinkers.

So drink up your tea to have not only a longer but healthier living.

Tip 6: Drink red wine

Photocredit:
StockFreeImage.com
According to recent studies, drinking one glass of red wine a day may have health benefits and that is to protect against certain cancers and cardiovascular diseases, plus it has a positive effect on lowering cholesterol levels and blood pressure.

Though, researchers have also found that drinking wine excessively or more than two glasses a day doesn’t produce the same benefits.

So do drink wine wisely.

Tip 7:  Regular self examination

Make an effort to self examine your bodies on a regular basis.

Women should practise self examination of their breasts for possible lumps and this is not only for females but men also. Males should also regularly check their testicles for changes 
or lumps.  Getting to know how yur body parts normally feel and look raises your awareness when something is different so that you may report the change to your doctor immediately.

Not all lumps are life threatening but if they are, it is crucial that they are detected as early as possible to be treated.

Tip 8:  Have regular smears/prostate tests

Smear test for women are done every three years and women should remember to get them done when called for.  Thousands of deaths each year is prevented by women going for cervical screening.

One of the most common forms of cancer in men is prostate cancer and the biggest cancer killer turns out to be lung cancer.

Testing for such cancers are recommended to start at the age of 50, of by the time the man reaches the age of 40, if they are in high-risk groups, such as black men or those who have 
male family members with the disease.

It is best to consult your doctor if you have any doubts.

Tip 9:  Monitor your bowel habits


If there is any sudden or dramatic change in your bowel movements such as frequent constipation, or passing bloody stools, please see your doctor immediately.

The causes are many but usually, it could be something as simple as piles (haemorrhoids), or on the other hand, it could also be a potential bowel or colon cancer.  Therefore,  is important to discover what is the cause as early as possible.

Tip 10:  Drink more water

Photocredit: StockFreeImage.com

Most people are not drinking enough water or unaware how much they should be taking.
The daily recommendation is to drink around eight glasses of water per day.  Our bodies are  made up of around 55% to 75% of water.  Therefore, constant replenishment is essential for 
our bodily functions to be in an optimum condition.

To have a healthy body, increase water intake will be beneficial for effective digestion, absorption of essential nutrients, minerals,  keeping your skin supple and hydrated. 

Detoxification is also very important function and a lot of water is needed for this function to effectively remove toxic waste from building up in our bodies. Toxic waste that are not eliminated regularly will weaken our bodies immune system, making it susceptible to diseases.

Tip 11:  Get more friends


Research suggests that friends help people live longer. Research in theJournal of Epidemiology and Community Health says that socialising with friends is beneficial. Good friends will promise to be there for you, and their presence can actually help you live longer, researchers say. 

Australian scientists said having friends around in old age can do more for life expectancy than having family members around, and that friends may encourage people to look after their health, and help reduce feelings of depression and anxiety at difficult times.

Tip 12:  No smoking

Photocredit:StockFreeImage.com

Smoking is known to have a potential catastrophic effect on our health.  It is better not to smoke and if you have been smoking, the sooner you quit, the better. 

The damage caused by smoking is cumulative. A person who smokes has greater risk of developing diseases such as heart diseases or lung cancer.  Not only does it save money, you will feel much stronger and vitalized. 

Consider these findings: 

The risk of a heart attack drops 50% that of a smoker if they stop smoking within one year.
The risk of lung cancer will drop 50% that of a smoker if they stop smoking within 1o years.

Tip 13:  Relax

Photocredit:StockFreeImage.com

People get stressed-related conditions such as depression and it can increase blood pressure. To help reduce such occurences, adopt relaxation techniques such as yoga or meditation to help manage your stress levels.

Tip 14: Get a pet


People who own pets are more calm and relaxed which in turn increases their health and well being, according to a series of studies.

The reason is this. Animals are known to reduce anxiety in humans when they are stroked. People feel comforted because they are distracted by being focused on something pleasant.

Not only that, pets make very good companions and they make us laugh with their antics and boundless energy.

Tip 15:  Exercise more

Photocredit: StockFreeImage.com


Exercising reduces the risk of the following common diseases which are heart disease, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, diabetes and obesity. Not only that, it can maintain the flexibility of joints, tendons and ligaments.

It also promotes mental well-being and helps to prevent depression, relieves stress and anxiety.  Exercise also helps people to sleep better. 

Simply by walking up stairs rather than taking the elevator can help your body's health. You may even try walking or cycling on shorter journeys instead of driving the car.

Tip 16:  Eat more fruit and vegetables

Photocredit: StockFreeImage.com

Fruits and vegetables can help ward off heart disease and stroke, control blood pressure and cholesterol, and prevent some types of cancer.  So load up on these food group for better health.

Recommended daily intake is to eat at least five servings of fruit and vegetables.

Tip 17:  Career change


Researchers suggested that there is a link between the type of jobs people hold versus how long they live.

According to UK Government statistics, between the year 1997 to 1999, life expectancy at birth in England and Wales for males in the unskilled manual groups was 7.4 shorter than that for those in the professional groups. 

And the gap between the social classes was bigger for men than for women, at 5.7 years.



Tip 18:  Have a happy marriage

Photocredit: Photobucket.com

Married couples tend to have better health than unmarried people. 

For example, more married individuals tend to be non drinkers than their unmarried counterparts because they or their spouses tend to offer encouragement, support, and protection from daily problems. 

They are also more able to manage stress better as a result. However, other studies indicates that people who goes through a divorce and then remarries actually increases the risk of dying prematurely.

Tip 19:  Be optimistic

Photocredit: Photobucket.com

People who has a positive outlook on life can actually have a life expectancy that is longer by 50% of people who are more pessimistic. 

Start looking at the glass and see it as half full is extends your life than looking at it being half empty.

Tip 20:  Eat chocolate

Chocolate Photocredit: Wikipedia


Chocolate possesses antioxidants and flavanoids which have great health benefits. 

Antioxidants are believed to delay or prevent certain damage to the body’s tissues and cells  while flavanoids promotes cardiovascular health.

Dark chocolate contains more than twice as many antioxidants as a bar of milk chocolate, and the good news is that it has fewer calories.


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