Long live...you. Want to know the secret to longevity? It's as simple as adopting
a few healthy habits (that are easier than you think!).
1. Shirk Smokes & Sun. Now hear this.The number one killer in Canada is cancer. And, two of the most common (and deadliest) forms of cancer are preventable. So, if you want to live longer - skip the cigs and the tan. Rock some wide brim hats and use your lungs for huffing and puffing up the mountain instead.
2. Meditate. Some of the most insipid killers are the silent ones, the ones you can't see coming - like chronic stress and hypertension. Combat the stress boogey man, discover the healing power of happiness and the healthy benefits of mindfulness with a simple daily meditation practice - it doesn't have to be long to
make a difference. If you missed out on our meditation challenge (or have slipped), check out our
Learn to Meditate program. You could be 40-days away from a longer life.
3. LCPB. The debate continues to rage about the best diet for longevity. The one thing everyone can agree on is moderation – you don't want too much of any one thing. Recent studies point to the most age-resistant diet being a primarily low-calorie, plant-based (LCPB) diet. Just remember that magic word of moderation – not too low and not too monotonous. Variety is the spice of life.
4. Sit Less. A few years ago, this tip would have been written as 'stay active' or 'move more' but with recent studies, it would seem that the real issue is the amount of time that we spend on our butts. So, yes - exercise plenty if you want a longer life but also,
avoid over-sitting. Avoid spending your entire day on your rear - get up and walk around instead of emailing across the office, work standing up, banish chairs from the boardroom - and you'll live longer.
5. Real-Life Social Time. It's hard to say that social media is bad for our health, but studies are starting to mount up - mostly because of what we are not doing while we're 'connecting' digitally. So, instead get the mental health benefits of being social (in the real world) and the physical benefits of actually getting up and getting out the door to see your friends. It's like your mother always said - go play outside.
6. Sex it Up. Need a reason to get
jiggy with it more often? How about a longer (and happier life)? Sex releases hormones the body needs to be healthy, it creates an emotional connection that studies have found to increase vitality, it keeps you physically active and it can also decrease feelings of anxiety, stress and depression. Regular (and safe) sex is definitely on the menu at the longevity bar.
7. Get to Bed. Sleep your way to the top (of the age game). We don't mean it the way the ruthlessly ambitious might; we mean actually sleep. As in, catch a minimum of 8 hours of good ol'
REM sleep each night. Despite being a super easy (and lazy) way to be healthier, many struggle with this one because of our busy and stress-filled lifestyles. Just say no to the evening tech - turn off and turn in earlier - your life (or rather longevity) depends on it.
Look at that list. Doesn't it look like a lot of fun? Living longer doesn't have to mean giving up 'living'. On the contrary - living well (and having some fun) actually leads to living longer.
