Everyone’s heart desires to be able to live a longer and healthier life. As we grow older, we can feel our health deteriorate. This is when our priorities change, and this becomes our number one concern.
The emergence of technology has been a blessing, but it has also come with its downsides, one of them being a sedentary lifestyle. This lifestyle does more harm to our health by increasing the risk of chronic illness and mental health problems.
While death isn’t in our control, there are certain habits that we can control. These habits can improve our health and increase longevity. This is why it is important to focus on what we can do on our end to ensure that we don’t compromise on the quality of our life. Following are some habits that can help you live longer.
Regulate your sleep
We’ve been hearing about the importance of getting an 8-hour sleep all our lives. Getting the right amount of sleep is significant as the lack of sleep or excess sleep leads to several health issues.
A regular sleep cycle is not only essential to restore energy, but it also improves physical and mental health. When we sleep, our body heals itself and provides us with the energy we need after we wake up. Sufficient sleep maintains stress levels along with regulating blood sugar and blood pressure. Hence maintaining a good sleep cycle alone is enough to prevent several health concerns.
See a doctor regularly
Regular checkups can help you identify health problems early on and prevent them from escalating into serious conditions that cost you an arm and a leg to treat. This is particularly beneficial if you’re predisposed to illnesses like diabetes or cardiovascular disease because of genetics, or if you’re at risk of malignant mesothelioma caused by asbestos exposure in your home or at your current place of employment.
Regular tests and screenings can help identify chronic health conditions early on. This way, your primary healthcare provider can suggest additional lifestyle changes to adopt and safeguard your well-being.
Eat a balanced diet
Over the years, there has been a fluctuation in the importance attributed to a healthy diet. From eating natural produce to being introduced to processed food, people are now reverting and recognizing the implications of neglecting what we put in our bodies.
We have all studied the significance of having a balanced diet. However, that is not something to be taken lightly. Prioritizing your diet alone can significantly contribute to your life span. Since food is fuel for our body, it requires not only the right amount, but also good quality. Too much or too little; can hinder the way our bodies function.
A meal with balanced proportions of proteins, fats, sugar, vitamins, and minerals gives our body the right amount of what it needs to function at an optimum level. Having said that, it is important to note that there is no substitute for fruits and vegetables, which are perhaps the key to good health. So be sure to add them to your diet along with whole grains and lean meat.
Prioritize mental health
Not giving your mental health its due care and importance are one of the biggest mistakes you can make for your overall well-being. Poor mental health takes a toll on your body and makes you physically weak. The mind carries a lot of power, one of them being that of healing. When your mind is disturbed, your body’s overall functioning is affected.
This is why self-care must be a priority in all our lives. You should invest in your happiness and engage in activities that boost your mood. Taking care of yourself increases serotonin and endorphins in your body, which helps you stay happier and stress-free. Consult a specialist for expert advice if you have serious mental health problems.
Engage in physical activity
Getting in some movement daily is much more important than one might think. Exercise is important in keeping the body active and curbing cardiovascular and dietary diseases.
Working your muscles helps with respiration and allows oxygen and blood to flow throughout your body faster. This helps to provide cells, tissues, and organs with more energy and nutrients to function properly. When exercise becomes a part of your habit, it pays off when you get older and can survive and live a better life than those around you. Your body can endure more and maintain itself because of the years of effort put into it
Experts suggest that only 15 minutes of exercise every day can add three years to your life span. While the World Health Organization recommends adults get 150 minutes of weekly activity. Doing so reduces health risks, strengthens your bones and muscles, and improves your immune system.
Reduce smoking
Quite often, we focus on what we should be doing rather than what we should not be doing. One of the latter is smoking, which can become an addiction if left unchecked.
More than 480,000 people die annually because of smoking, which is a leading cause of premature death. It is important to put a stop to smoking as it directly damages the lungs and is a cause of multiple types of cancers. Fighting this addiction alone can save you from many hospital visits and add ten years to your life. If you find it hard to quit, start slow. Switch to nicotine patches and get professional help if need be.
Monitor your alcohol intake
Drinking too much is another habit that can be deadly for your body. Alcohol is linked to liver, heart, and pancreatic diseases. Monitoring alcohol consumption is extremely important as you can save yourself from knocking off years of your life. Abstaining from drinking alcohol is the best way to prevent early death.
Conclusion
Sometimes the little habits we create have great, long-lasting rewards. We can go a long way if we incorporate discipline into our lives. Taking time for yourself and giving your body the importance it needs is vital for our long-term well-being. It is important to recognize where our focus is needed and to rectify the areas of our lives that we have left unattended. Start now, and you will thank yourself later.