Eat healthy, exercise and avoid smoking are the three tips we often hear in order to live longer, healthier lives; but those aren’t the only habits to adopt if you want to see age 100. Time Magazine recently shared some interesting tips that have been shown to increase our lifespan long past the American average of 78.7 years!
- Own a pet: Research consistently indicates owning a pet cannot only improve the quality of our life, but it may also extend it. Dogs particularly, incline us to go on walks, get outside and be more active, hobbies that are known to reduce stress.
- Get sleep: At Brookhaven Retreat, we emphasize the importance of creating a healthy sleep routine. Mental health and substance abuse issues often interfere with quality sleep, which only continues the cycle of emotional distress and mood disorders. TIME magazine states that good sleep can also reduce the risk of death and the risk of type 2 diabetes.
- Be positive: Gratitude, appreciation and optimism apparently have an effect on our longevity. A negative outlook often relates to increased stress, depression, anxiety and substance abuse, all of which correlate to a high risk of heart disease and death.
- Don’t isolate: Social wellness is an integral part of our overall health. Women with mental health issues tend to isolate themselves out of fear of shame and judgment. Anxiety disorders such as PTSD and social anxiety are also common causes of social isolation.
- Floss: The bacterium that cumulates in our moth can cause inflammation in our body, which may increase our risk of heart disease. In addition to brushing daily, flossing can help ensure good oral health.
- Volunteer: Various studies have shown that volunteering our time not only changes the lives of others, but it has a drastic improvement in our own. According to findings published in the BMC Public Health journal, volunteers reported less depression and better overall life satisfaction than non-volunteers.
- Stretch every hour: Most of us have office jobs or computer jobs where we sit most of the day, but this can shorten our lifespan if we forget to stand and stretch often. Try combating 8 hours in a chair by just getting up, doing some light stretches or taking a brief walk every hour.
These tips may not extend the average lifespan, as genetics and other factors play a major part in such matters, but they can improve the quality of our life by supporting physical, emotional and mental health.
