Ageing is a fact of life, but
how quickly we age is not just a function of genetic disposition. How we
choose to live, as much as who we are, can determine how we age and whether
we will live a longer and healthier life. Factors that tend to accelerate the
ageing process-
Factors that we can control-include:
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- Lack of regular exercise
- Poor dietary habits
- Failing to consume an
optimal level of vitamins and nutrients
- Being overweight
- Failing to get enough sleep
- Failing to drink sufficient
amounts of water
- Exposure to excessive
amounts of stress
- Exposure to toxins
- Engaging in unhealthy habits
(smoking, excessive drinking, and etc.)
To
increase your odds of living longer, and living a better quality of life as you
age, take control of your life and counter the factors that contribute to
premature ageing by adopting the following nine steps to a healthier life.
Exercise Regularly - Regular exercise and physical
activity are key factors in maintaining health. Particularly with older adults,
regular physical activity increases the chances of continuing to be able to do
the things we enjoy and to remain independent. Studies show that regular
exercise can benefit people with arthritis, heart disease, high blood pressure,
sleep apnoea, and diabetes. And exercise doesn't have to be intense; find the
right level of physical activity for you and do it regularly.
Adopt a Healthy Diet – Consuming a lower calorie diet
rich in nutrients and fibre but low in fat and sugar is a key factor in
maintaining a healthy weight and enhancing your quality of life. Eat a
nutritious breakfast every day. Avoid sodas and drink lots of water. Eat lean
foods low in fat and sugar, and get lots of fibre and protein. Enjoy healthy
snacks between meals.
Supplement Your Diet with Essential Vitamins, Minerals
and Nutrients– As a
consequence of current food processing techniques and mineral deficient soil,
many of us are not getting the proper amount of vitamins, minerals, and other
nutrients essential to optimal health. And an optimal dose of essential vitamins,
minerals, and other nutrients decrease the risk of chronic degenerative
diseases linked to nutritional deficiencies. The combination of a healthy diet
with daily supplements provides the best opportunity for optimal nutrition and
health.
Maintain a Healthy Weight – Being overweight may put you at
increased risk for heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, some types of
cancer, arthritis, and other chronic diseases. Although we cannot control all
of the factors that lead to weight gain, regular exercise and a healthy diet
are key factors in maintaining a healthy weight.
Get the Proper Amount of Sleep – Adequate sleep in an essential
factor in our well-being. Cell regeneration and cell growth occur primarily
during periods of rest. Certain hormones critical to the proper functioning of
the body are produced only during certain phases of deep sleep. If you have
problems sleeping, or getting the proper amount of sleep, address them.
Drink Lots of Water - It is no secret that water is a
key essential to life. What is less well known is that most of us don’t drink
enough water on a daily basis. Every system in your body depends on water.
Water flushes toxins out of vital organs, helps to carry nutrients to your
cells, and provides fluids essential to bodily functions. Water also has no
calories and is sugar free. How much water you should drink varies depending on
a number of factors, including your health, how much you exercise, and where
you live. But make sure you drink enough water every day.
Avoid Stress – Stress is a natural reaction to
external factors, but failing to deal with excessive amounts of stress can lead
to stomach disorders, shortness of breath, back pain, headaches and insomnia
and, indirectly an increased risk of chronic degenerative disease that can lead
to premature ageing. The best approach to coping with stress, in addition to
exercising stress management skills, is to exercise regularly, eat properly,
and obtain proper amounts of sleep.
Reduce Exposure to Toxins – Exposure to toxins and
chemicals in today’s world is unavoidable, but you can reduce your exposure to
unhealthy levels of toxins and maintain a healthy lifestyle that supports the
body’s natural ability to cleanse itself of toxins. Eating the right foods,
particularly organic foods, avoiding excessive amounts of processed foods, and
drinking purified water can help to reduce the amount of toxins your body takes
in. And exercising regularly, staying hydrated, and getting the proper amount
of sleep will help your body cleanse itself of toxins and chemicals harmful to
your health.
Don’t Smoke; Only Consume Alcohol in
Moderation - Smoking
not only contributes to increased risk of chronic, life shortening degenerative
diseases such as heart related illnesses, stroke, and cancer, but also is a key
factor in premature ageing and is associated with shorter lifespans. If you
don’t smoke, don’t start. If you do smoke, stop.
Research
indicates that excessive alcohol consumption can lead not only to an increased
risk of degenerative disease that may shorten your lifespan, but also to an
increased risk of premature ageing, where the symptoms of ageing appear earlier
than normal or where the symptoms of ageing are more pronounced than would
otherwise be the case. If you drink, drink in moderation.
Research
shows that ageing is due to the cumulative effect of a number of factors; no
single factor is the sole, or even primary, factor in how we age and how long
we will live. Accordingly, there is no single product or magic bullet that can
guarantee longer life. But you can-and should-take steps to increase your odds
of living longer and healthier by taking charge of your life and following the
nine steps summarized above.
Kathy has a passion for Natural Health and enjoys seeing the results as people enjoy optimal health and wellness www.thehealthnut.com.au
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