Though the actions of some drivers may cause you to doubt it, most people you talk to say they'd like to live a long time. Well, nothing in life is for sure, but there are some simple (I don't say easy) ways you can improve your chances of living a long and healthy life.
- Don't smoke. This is the biggie. All else being equal, smoking shortens your life by 10-15 years. Quitting is hard. Get help. Keep trying.
- Stay active. Walk, cycle, swim, golf, go to the gym. Get a dog. Get out of that chair and move. You'll not only add years to your life, you'll add life to your years.
- Eat right. Enjoy your food. Good food is not usually the cheapest. Eat a variety of foods. Eat fresh, eat seasonal, eat local. Cook from scratch. Read food labels. Cut down on the sodium and the sugar. Don't eat trans fats. Eat in moderation. Eat breakfast.
- Wear your seat belt. There's just no excuse not to. You may think a low speed collision won't hurt you. Ever try running as fast as you can into a brick wall? Unless you're an Olympic sprinter, that's less than 15 km./hr.
- Get 7-8 hours sleep a night. Invest in a good mattress.
- Love somebody. Live for someone or something else. Get a pet.
- Take a multivitamin every day.
- Take your medications responsibly. Follow your doctor's instructions about when and how much. Ask your doctor and pharmacist about drug interactions. Don't abuse "recreational" pharmaceuticals.
- Drink moderately. A drink or two a day is actually good for you.
- Stay "brain active". Read, keep a journal, do puzzles, talk to people, blog.
You've probably heard most of these suggestions before. As I said, these are not complicated, though some, like quitting smoking, can be very difficult. And sure, you can go further, but you want to have some fun, right? What's the use of a long life if you don't enjoy a few pleasures? After all, those French fries might kill you twenty years from now, but the e coli. in that spinach salad could kill you today.
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