For as long as there have been humans on this planet, people have strived for longevity. They want to live much longer and healthier—this is only a natural preoccupation when adults grow older and eventually face the inevitability of mortality.
In recent decades though, as more and more emphasis is on eating healthy and staying healthy in society, younger people are beginning to explore how they can lead longer and healthier lives. Living longer is now realistically possible for anyone, it only requires commitment.
Longevity Begins With a Healthy Diet
Living a longer and healthier life begins with something as simple as adopting a proper, dietary habit. Food intake is vital because it provides people’s bodies with the necessary energy and nutrition to nourish and sustain bodily processes over the long haul.
After people eat food, chemical enzymes, known as digestive enzymes, aid to digest the food. When this occurs, a release of nourishment, power, and energy flows throughout the body.
Not consuming proper and healthy foods deprives the body of essential nutrients—people then build up excessive unhealthy components, such as fat, and become unable to sustain normal functions.
Obesity is already a huge problem in America. Research has shown that obese people account for more than 35% of all Americans. Other studies have shown that as many as 68% of Americans are overweight. Therefore, keeping an appropriate body weight is necessary for a long life and optimum health.
How Digestive Enzymes Digest Food
How do you create healthier eating habits for Longevity?
Create healthy dietary habits by offering a healthy eating experience—Choose My Plate will provide recommendations for the number of servings, as well as how to choose food with nutritional value. Choose My Plate is a guide to a balanced diet, which is part of a health initiative by the U.S. federal government. Various studies support the reality that eating a diet rich in whole foods and eliminating processed foods enables people to achieve longevity.
One person’s diet may not be the optimal diet for another person. To personalize your healthy eating style, use this interactive tool:
MyPlate Checklist Calculator
Healthy.gov Nutritional Guidelines
Exercise for Longevity
There are other things that will also help you to live longer as well as a healthier life. Primarily, this includes exercise because it is not enough to only eat right without incorporating the proper amount of exercise.
Start exercising in such a way that does not radically engage you in hazardous and abrupt exertion, which means that activity should start slowly and then increase gradually. Exercise has benefits for the entire body—the lungs, heart, muscles, joints, and even the brain.
Some results of regular exercise include burning up extra calories, relieving stress and tension, and improving coordination. Exercise can be formal, such as aerobics classes, cycling, or swimming activities done with commitment and intention. It can also be very informal, such as when walki
ng up the stairs to the office instead of taking the elevator.
Eliminate Bad Habits for Longevity
In addition to eating healthy and getting adequate exercise, it is also vital to remove bad habits that are self-destructive, in terms of health, for these habits will impede longevity and health.
Examples of common bad habits that may pose a challenge to eliminate are smoking and drinking alcohol. It is counter-productive to eat right and get adequate exercise but then reverse the positive health effects of bad habits. Smoking can cause health problems, such as cancer, lung problems, and even cosmetic issues, such as yellow-stained teeth and premature wrinkles. Alcohol can be just as deadly, because if it doesn’t end up destroying internal organs—especially the liver—it may impair judgement that can cause other hazards.
Many people want to achieve longevity. The problem is that some people refuse to have the discipline and the commitment to make the necessary lifestyle adjustments. If you can channel your will in such a way that shows self-control and discipline to eat right, exercise, and cut out bad habits; you will likely see good results.
To learn more about living longer and healthier, see these links:
- Tips: This website features tips on how people can lead longer and healthier lives.
- Getting Sleep: This website offers information on how sleeping well can lead to longer lives.
- Health Tips for Healthy Living: This web page offers tips on leading a healthier life.
If you enjoyed this article, then you will enjoy reading about the Blue Zones.
About the Author
Sarah has worked in various roles at Coffee Medical Center, including as a nurse, education director, and quality assurance director.
