Nine Habits that May Delay Aging
Many people want to live for thousands of years. We don’t want to exaggerate, but the tips we share in this article may help you lead a healthier life, improve your health, and delay aging.
Who says you can’t live past 80 or 90? It’s just a matter of changing your habits as soon as you can to possibly improve your quality of life and have fewer health problems. It sounds like a dream or utopia, but it’s possible to turn it into reality.
The latest studies on modern living
Studies show that although your chance of surviving is higher in comparison to other times, people lived a lot healthier before. Why live to 85 if you’re suffering from diseases and sicknesses?
Sedentary lifestyles, bad food, alcohol, and cigarettes are four of the obstacles to living a longer and healthier life.
Read more here: High Life Expectancy: Why Do the Japanese Live Longer?
The good news is if you change these habits a little and are aware that you only have one body and must take care of it, you may delay aging.
Nine habits that may delay aging
Not eating excessively
To get to 100 years old, leave a little bit of food on your plate every day or eat less. The Japanese are the people that live the longest on the planet because they eat until they feel 80% satisfied.
In order to know when your stomach is a little more than 3/4 full, you should eat slowly. Eating less food may help delay aging because calories make the body produce more of the thyroid hormone T3, which slows down your metabolism.
Having more sex
Two or three times a week is the recommended amount in order to possibly live longer. Good sex keeps you busy, releases positive hormones, burns a lot of calories (comparable to a half hour walk), lowers blood pressure, strengthens your immune system, improves sleep, reduces excess weight, and protects your heart.
Turning off your TV and computer
Spending too much time in front of screens isn’t good for your health. People who watch four hours of TV a day are 50% more likely to die from problems related to sedentary lifestyles than those who only spend two hours or less watching it.
Turning the TV off also helps you sleep better and more pleasantly. Experts recommend not watching television before going to sleep and read a book instead. In regards to computers, it’s not always possible to avoid them. That’s why it is a good idea to take breaks, go outside to get some fresh air, stretch your legs, etc.
Avoiding sun exposure
Avoid harmful UV rays as much as possible to reduce your risk of problems like irritation, burns, and even skin cancer. You’ll also look younger because wrinkles, spots, and freckles will be least likely to form.
When you go outside in the summer, put on at least SPF 30 sunscreen, not only on your face but also on your chest, neck, shoulders, arms, and hands.
Having a busy social life
Studies have shown that people who are always surrounded by friends and family have a lower risk of suffering from heart problems. Loneliness may lead to depression, stress, high cholesterol, anxiety, fear, etc.
This is especially true for the elderly that feel extremely sad when their children, grandchildren, or other relatives don’t visit them often.
Drinking in moderation
The proper “dosage” for men is two glasses a day and one for women. Drinking may not only lead to alcoholism but also to pancreas or liver diseases and other health problems.
However, doctors suggest drinking a glass of red wine a day to reduce the risk of heart attacks or diabetes.
Eating fruits and vegetables
Junk food keeps you away from these two food groups that are important for your development and well-being. Before choosing a salty snack, eat an apple. Instead of French fries, go for a tomato and lettuce salad.
Fruits and vegetables may help reduce your risk of heart disease, cancer, obesity, high cholesterol, etc. They also detoxify your body and may help improve your circulation.
Exercising
You should go for a 30-minute walk every day. If you don’t have time to exercise, at least use the stairs instead of the elevator. There is a huge correlation between physical activity and longevity.
Playing a sport may increase your life expectancy and may positively affect your heart, lungs, mind, and mood.
Discover: 9 Tricks to Live Longer and Better
Not smoking
Smoking is one of the worst habits. Women that stop smoking at the age of 35 may increase their life expectancy between six and eight years. It’s never too late to stop smoking. Nobody says it’ll be easy, but it’s worth trying it out.
We hope you enjoyed learning about these nine habits that may delay aging!
Images courtesy of Anders Printz, Ian MacKenzie, Voz Efx, Ruth Ellison, and Chris Hunkeler.
All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.
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