While scientists haven’t yet been able to figure out the secret to immortality, there are certain things you can do to live longer. You might have already heard more than your fair share of advice and tips that will help you to live longer, but you can’t believe everything that you hear. Some age-old advice has been proven to be rather useless while other advice seems to be quite effective.
Give
One of the best ways to live is to give. By supporting society, your friends and family, you can live longer. Studies have shown that individuals who help out their neighbors and offer people advice tend to live longer. Try to find a local organization to volunteer for every now and then. This is also a great way to meet like-minded people and make new friends. Who knows, they might be people you spend the rest of your extended life with.
Don’t Be Afraid of a Work Life that’s Less than Ideal
We all like to have a job that we love, is free of stress and one that we don’t have to take home with us at the end of the day. Seems as though that’s a great way to live longer, right? Not quite. It seems as though individuals who persevere through their jobs through the good times, bad times, accomplishments and stress actually live longer than those who don’t. I know how that sounds, but it seems as though a little on-the-job stress is actually good for us. This doesn’t mean that you should stay at a job where you’re unhappy, just that you shouldn’t shy away from a stressful situation or a position that demands a high amount of responsibility.
Exercise the Right Way
Rather than force yourself to do exercises that you hate, it’s better to do exercises that you take pleasure in but that still challenge you to push yourself and reach new levels. When you start to age, you might regret subjecting your body to all of those hard runs and tortuous exercises since they can wear and tear on your muscles as the years pass. Don’t be afraid to go for a brisk walk, a moderate swim or a bike ride along a nature trail every now and then. You don’t have to be dripping in a puddle of sweat and collapsing on your back to get in some good exercise.
You Can Worry and Still Be Happy
Being overly optimistic isn’t always in your best interest. While there’s nothing wrong with having positive thoughts and hoping for the best, you should also face the possibility that things won’t go the way that you want. Not only is this a good way to live longer, it’s also a good way to manage your expectations. I’ve found that too much optimism is just as bad for your health as high cholesterol. By realizing that bad things can and will eventually happen, you’ll be better equipped to handle any curveballs that life has to launch at you.
At Least You’ve Got Your Health
Living a healthy lifestyle is one of the best things that you can do for yourself physically to live longer. Exercise and a well-balanced diet can help you feel better and remain mobile and healthy as you get older. I’m not telling you to spend two hours in the gym until your entire body is toned and there’s not an ounce of fat on you, just that you should get in a moderate amount of exercise, at least 30 to 45 minutes worth three times a week. It’s best if you start while you’re young so that it won’t feel like such a lifestyle change as you get older. Watch what you eat as well. You can cheat and have sweets every now and then, but try to eat mostly healthy foods and make sure that you’re getting enough fresh fruits and vegetables. Try different foods and dishes to expand your horizons. You never know when you might find your new favorite cuisine.
Get a Pet
Studies have also shown that owning a pet is another good way to live longer, believe it or not. Individuals who owned pets and suffered from a heart attack were nearly 30 percent more likely to survive than those who didn’t own a pet. Even simply petting your dog or cat can trigger a relaxation response in your brain.
You don’t have to make drastic changes to your life in order to extend it. Simply add more here and take away there and your life is sure to be both happier and longer.
Keeping your heart healthy is an essential part of living a long life. The doctors at Cardiac Vascular & Thoracic Surgery Associates (CVTSA) can help.
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