Birthdays come and go. With each passing birthday, whether it is our twentieth or ninetieth, we want to live more. And, why not? When life is so beautiful, rewarding and has so many charms to offer at every stage, be it childhood, youth, middle or old age, who would want to bid farewell to it?

 Every individual dreams of aging with poise, but it is only through conscious effort that we can add some great golden pages to our books of life. It is important to realize the fact that as we age, our body and mind starts demanding more attention and care. In order to achieve a good quality of life, needs of both, mind and body should, under no circumstances go unnoticed.

Adopt the following changes in your lifestyle and live to a hundred years and more.

 Eat less, Eat healthy!

They say, ‘Eat less cake, celebrate more birthdays’. Since ages, eating less has been associated with longevity. Studies have also proved that eating less can actually help one, avoid many age related problems by slowing down the aging process and there are countless instances, where restricted calorie intake has led to longer years.

Eating less does not mean that one deprives him/her self from a healthy diet. In fact, the trick is to eat less, but healthy. A healthy diet according to a study, published in the International Journal of Epidemiology comprises of fruits, vegetables especially green leafed, whole grains, beans, fish, low fat calcium rich dairy, fiber and foods containing essential fatty acids. Nutritional supplements cannot be used as a substitute for a healthy diet.

  Say “NO” to Tobacco and Alcohol!

Smoking and excessive drinking can steal away at least ten years from an average man’s life according to various studies. These are the two most preventable causes of premature aging and death.

Tobacco and too much alcohol affect almost every organ and system of the body. They tamper with body’s defense mechanism and thus become responsible for a number of cancers and other chronic conditions.

  Work out!

For a good quality of life, the role of an active lifestyle cannot be underrated. Regular exercise for expending more than 2000 extra calories a week through vigorous physical activity adds about two or more years to your life according to Harvard alumni study.

  Don’t let your brain age!

For age proofing one’s brain, the simple trick is to use it. One should keep his/her mind active and working to keep it alive. Avoid activities that require less usage of brains, like watching television and indulge more in memory games, visual exercises, crossword puzzles, scrabble, quick math exercises and learning something new occasionally that puts your brain to test, like a new language.

  Sleep tight!

Sleeping eight to nine hours at a stretch boosts longevity. Sleeping helps in proper functioning of mind and immune system by rejuvenating dead cells. This process of rejuvenation is necessary for proper functioning of all organs and systems of human beings.

  Get company!

It is true that man is a social animal. He cannot live alone for long. Companionship is one of the best ways to lead a long fulfilling life. Friendship whether it is with one’s spouse or with anybody else keeps the person alive from within and plays a fundamental role for a contented life.

 Keep that spark alive!

Man is alive until he has something to live for. Be passionate about at least one thing at every point, in your life that gives you a sense of accomplishment and gratification. Strive to realize those dreams through every means and set new goals when the old ones are accomplished.

  Be positive and take it easy!

Happiness is a state of mind. One can have the best things that life has to offer and still be unhappy while another person having nothing can still be happy if he wants to. Happiness is one key to longevity, that only positive attitude can cultivate. Lamenting about past and worrying for the future can have slow but appalling effects on human body and accelerate the aging process.

  Connect to God!

Turn to God for your failures, disappointments or injustices done to you. Have faith that a supreme authority that cares a lot about you and will make things better. Once you develop faith in God, you would feel a positive energy within and attain true happiness, hence improving your chances of living longer.

Thus, the above mentioned changes to your lifestyle can add some additional fulfilling years to your lives by slowing down the aging process and would let you age in style!

Filed under: Fitness

Like this post? Subscribe to my RSS feed and get loads more!