HABITS FOR A LONGER LIFE

BALANCE

Genes are important, but how well you live is more likely to determine how long you live. For instance: If you want to reduce your risk of stroke by 50% do the following four things

1. Physical activity 30 minutes each day 
2. Five servings of vegetables or fruit each day 
3. Quit smoking 
4. Avoid excess alcohol

You are more likely to live a long life if your parents did. Of course they may have lived longer if they followed the 4 steps above or, fortunately, escaped one of the major diseases that shorten life.

TEN MAJOR STEPS TO A LONGER LIFE

   1. Take care of your teeth and floss every day
   2. Exercise in some form every day
   3. Stay connected to family and friends
   4. Develop good habits and stick to them
   5. Eat whole foods and not processed foods, for best nutrition
   6. Add fiber to your diet
   7. Cultivate a good attitude and don’t be a diva (Drama Queen)
   8. Find a system of spirituality that you can believe in
   9. Get plenty of rest
  10. Don’t retire

HIGH FIBER DIET

Recent study shows that gum-disease and bacteria from an unattended mouth can flush harmful bacteria into your bloodstream. My dentist tells me that this can lead to heart problems and poor circulation in the arteries due to inflammation. Bad dental health can also lead to bad breath and tooth loss. Don’t take chances with your heart ... you can prevent inflammation by flossing twice a day.

EXERCISE

Walking, lifting weights, treadmilling, stretching, Pilates, and other forms of exercise will raise your immune level and lower your cholesterol. Cardio exercise can strengthen your heart and tone your skin. For a really good complexion drink plenty of water and get daily movement (excercise) outdoors in fresh air and sunshine. Should I say you need to consult with a health professional before starting an exercise program? From Yoga to resistance training the benefits are unbelievable. Start small and gradually build up your strength. Watch your weight. Childhood obesity can lead to adult diabetes and heart disease.

FRIENDS AND FAMILY

Stay connected with family and friends. This does not mean join Twitter or Facebook. Regular, real, social interaction has many benefits.Friends and family can form an invisible chain around you to support you when you need it most. Perhaps the loss of a loved one or family members leaves you with episodes of grief. Your friends will be near to give you comfort and advice.

Being a free spirit may serve you when you are young and eager to try new things, but as you age your will have learned almost every tried and true way to do something that is just right for you. Bedtime is 10 pm, wake-up is daylight, walk the dog at 9am, lunch is a light salad at noon and so on. You might play bridge every Wednesday or go to the comedy club on Thursday night. Don’t forget your trips to the gym or fitness club and of course those frequent beauty salon treatments are a sure pleasure. Be good to yourself.
 

GOOD FOOD

Guess I must be psychic - because I haven’t eaten processed foods for 40 years or more. I am not a fruit eater, but love every vegetable - except hominy. Certain nutrients are best consumed from eating fresh, clean, fruits and vegetables and just a small amount of lean meat. Think of anti-oxidants, flavonoids, vitamin C, selenium, beta-carotene and vitamin E. Study what foods are best, or consult a dietitian for the best meal choices for you. While you are at it, avoid: caffeine, nicotine, fats, oils, bleached flour, sugar, salt, starches and artificially sweetened drinks in excess.Some of the best foods are: blueberries, cranberries, green tea, salmon, cantaloupe, raspberries, oranges, brocolli, strawberries, tomatoes, whole grain bread and cereal, nuts, beans and lentils.

High fiber foods are extremely helpful in preventing diabetes and colon cancer. Eating a high-fiber breakfast will give you energy all day and stable blood sugar levels. Diabetes speeds the aging process.

HAPPINESS

A type”A” personality who is constantly looking for a problem to solve, or a neurotic personality who over-analyzes every situation and has a negative outlook, could age faster than a positive person. Being in charge of your responses to life’s stresses makes you stronger and steels your physiology against the heavy toll taken by stress. Develop a good attitude, control your anger and resentment. My aunt once had a huge growth on her nose. It was swollen and red and big as a pencil eraser. She tried to heal it with positive energy and eventually it went away. I asked her what the evil looking bump was, and she replied with one word, “Resentment!” Meditation and positive affirmations are very effective in building a confident and positive demeanor.

Here you are on the threshold of the most fulfilling season of our life and you are able to share it with others through your faith in a system of beliefs that serves us all in every need. Mother didn’t take you to Sunday school and church for punishment. She knew that you there would be times when you would need faith and guidance to get through some of life’s best and worst times. It is natural for the human mind to wonder about the mysteries of the universe. So many questions cannot be answered, that we need faith in an unseen benevolent force to get through the jungle of troubles. We need to be able to see with our hearts the peace and joy of a spiritual life. We need to believe that others see it too - and that the more we try to know this peace - the closer we come to joy. Whatever religion or premise you believe will give you comfort and support as you age. Most older folks develop a glow of spirituality about them. Proof that it is there if we just accept it. Remember you are a spiritual being, perfect and eternal nestled in the hands of God.

“To sleep, perchance to dream ...” Shakespeare knew that creative energy was renewed and replenished through sleep. Many of history’s greatest inventions and ideas were the result of dreams. Dreams are the seeds of all creation. Healing and renewal take place during sleep. It is theorized that without sleep, we would all go mad. I know that when I dream I am 21 years old and have no physical infirmities. Sleeping is good for you on the cellular (maybe atomic) level. Your brain works to maintain your autonomic functions while stress synapses are relaxed and creative ideas flow. Different amounts of sleep are required for each individual, but six hours is the minimum you should aim for. It is apparent to me that I need at least eight hours of sleep and if I sleep too long I feel logy.

SPIRITUALITY

People with sleep problems should work them out with professional help if necessary. Here are some good sleeping tips. Relax and stay away from stimulation before going to bed. Wear comfortable clothing to sleep in. Read or meditate to decompress before going to sleep. Avoid heavy meals after 6 pm and don’t eat foods high in sugar before bedtime. Keep fresh water near your bed for night-time re-hydration. Go to bed and arise at the same time every day.

If you have lucid dreams or vivid dreams keep a journal by your bed and write down the dreams immediately. A dream journal is a road to discovery.

Most of these tips just make good common sense. Something that mature adults have lots of. Of course we already know all of this, but we like to be reminded.

MY OWN SPECIAL LIST

PETS

I can't close without mentioning four of the most healthful things I have learned to practice. First of all, I love animals and find soothing comfort and companionship in my cats, dogs and birds. I like to surround myself with my best friends in the animal kingdom because Pets can lower and stabilize your blood pressure, give a feeling of euphoria, and serve as a confidant when needed to express concerns about life.

After all is said and done; human experience requires exposure to Beauty. Beauty we can see, feel and hear is all around us. Beauty stimulates the emotions in us that urge us to believe in ourselves. One of my favorite secret delights is looking for small pebbles, or trinkets in a thrift shop, discarded tree bark, shards of glass, or frayed satin ribbons -- all items that radiate a special beauty that tells me that life is certainly a trip that I enjoy.

BEAUTY AND NATURE

On a clear starry night you can stand in a field and listen to a million tiny sounds that were silent during the day. Immerse yourself if this beauty of life all around you.

Forgiving is a like a warm shower. Forgiveness washes away negative emotions. Forgiveness flushes your being with love for life and others. Forgiveness opens the doorway to all the blessings that are flowing into your life. Forgiveness is like touching the hand of God. It is power and glory. It is your ticket to bliss. Forgive yourself and others, experiences, circumstances, losses, and fears. All problems pale in the presence of forgiving.

LAUGHTER

When I was a child I learned to laugh at myself. Laughing seems to suspend problems and keep them away from hurting us. Maturity has erased my insecurities about my self-image, but I still express the power of laughter. Look for the funny side of life, draw the comedy and irony out of every situation to serve you. Don't take life's speed bumps so seriously. Learn to laugh and cry out loud and get lost in a fit of laughter that brings tears to your eyes and joy to your heart.

Learn to love life!