You're probably not thinking about your old age right now, but in fact, aging is something we should be considering right from our teenage years. As we get older, our health and wellness needs change, and obviously, your well-being needs right now are very different from those that you will have in later life.
But while you may not yet need to think about how you'll provide for your ongoing care needs, perhaps by taking out a Lincoln Financial hybrid life and long term care policy which will ensure that the costs of in-home support or nursing home care will be covered in the eventuality that you need to use them, there are a number of healthy habits that you can put in place now to ensure that you'll live a long and healthy life well into old age.
Reduce Your Processed Food Consumption
More people than ever before are eating too many processed foods, and that adds up to too much saturated fat, too much sodium and too much sugar in the diet, not to mention too little fiber. With this type of diet, the risk of diabetes, cancer, high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease increase dramatically. The NIH (National Institutes of Health) recommends that we eat under 2.4g of sodium daily yet on average, people eat over a gram more than this on a daily basis. Introducing clean eating is the best way forward, adding plenty of high fiber foods like fruits and vegetables into your regime.
Quit Smoking
If you smoke, you should definitely quit and if you don't already smoke, don't start! Tobacco use is the top risk factor for developing lung cancer and some estimates have even suggested that cigarettes may rob smokers of ten years of their life.
Get Active
The World Health Organization recommends that everyone takes half an hour of exercise a day, at least five times weekly in order to live a long and healthy life. Just a quarter of an hour of moderate-intensity physical activity daily such as brisk walking can help you to live three years longer.
Sleep More
Although a lack of sleep may seem to be a minor problem, it can actually impact on your lifespan. Sleepy drivers are much more likely to be involved in an accident. Not only that, but studies have shown that sleeping for less than 6 hours a night can increase your risk of early death. Sleeping properly wards off heart disease, depression and stress so it's important to develop an effective and regular sleep routine that will help to improve your overall quality of life and help you live longer.
Reduce Your Stress
Stress is another life-shortening factor that should be avoided as much as possible. Take steps to relax more by practicing mindfulness and meditation, or try yoga to help yourself to cope with the challenges that you face in your life. Good mental well-being leads to good physical well-being, so take action now and you'll enjoy a longer and happier life.
