Everyone desires to live long and stay fit also. It is normal for us to do it. Though genes play an important role in it but lifestyle, diet and environment is more important. The biological process of decay is natural with age but our habits decide how much this decay will affect us. In the earlier times when marriage was early people used to easily see their great grand children but now with late marriage and a city bred lifestyle, some even miss out the grand children also. We can inculcate some habits to increase our longevity even up to 100 years.
Avoid over eating
Over eating that too with an overdose of junk food is a big no. The more we eat means the more calorie we intake and in our lifestyle is such that we don’t exercise much. Therefore it accumulates as fat in our body. It is never advised to eat a full stomach however hungry you feel. In this regard Ayurveda says that we should eat only half full and one fourth should be water intake and the rest one fourth should be empty. Also the last meal should be before sunset so that the body gets enough time to digest.
Eat more fruits and nuts
It is recommended that we should have our daily dose of vitamins and minerals from fruits and nuts rather than depending on supplements. The natural source is always better than the artificial source.
Eat more green vegetables
Plant food like green vegetables, beans, seeds is extremely beneficial doe health. They are not only easier to digest but also easily absorbed by the body. In fact we can reduce the consumption of rice and make it up for by eating more quantity of these preparations. Meat particularly red meat should be avoided as much as possible as it is a high source of fat and cholesterol. Also avoid processed food.
Stay active and exercise
It is important that we exercise the body at least 5 days a week. This way the body muscles and joints keep in an optimal state. Muscles start reducing with age so to prevent that to some extent it is important to do some resistance training. Our joints also start getting stiff with age so by giving it motion it will stay flexible and supple. With age yoga is a good form of exercise.
Stop smoking
In the young age many people take to smoking which is a bad habit known to all. It causes high blood pressure and constricts the artery. Even if you are smoking then quit it in the forties at least. The lungs take about 10 years to return to its normal state for a chain smoker.
Moderate alcohol
Heavy drinkers generally develop the problem of liver and pancreatic disease. These organs have a limit to its filtration ability and continuous overdose of alcohol seriously affects it. With age one can shift from hard drinks to wine.
Avoid anxiety and stress
These two are silent killers, so stress and anxiety is to be avoided as much as possible. Though in our present lifestyle it is difficult to avoid it completely but if we develop a mindset then we can reduce its effect. We should try to stay happy as much as possible then our hormones will complement our longevity.
Drink water
We often neglect it but it is important to drink at least 4 litres of water in a day. It is the best flushing mechanism for the body for toxins. Also we should avoid taking drinks like cola and Pepsi as they actually do not quench our thirst but only increase the sugar level of the body. Better to stick to plain water and fresh juice (not the packaged one even if it says fresh)
Sleep well
Sleeping in the only actual relaxation for the body. If our body did not need sleep then there would have been no concept of sleep. As it has developed through the evolution that means it is a mandatory requirement for the body. Now we cut back on sleep for other trivial things. The timing of sleep is important. We should sleep by 9 PM so that we can wake up early. Also we should sleep for 8 hours at least, uninterrupted. If we have such sleep then there won’t be a requirement to sleep in the afternoon.
This will surely help in increasing longevity and also the quality of the longevity.
Thanks for sharing this mam...carry on