No matter what your age, you have the power to change many of the variables that influence how long you live, and how active and vital you feel in your later years. Actions you can take to increase your odds of a longer and more satisfying life span are really quite simple:
- Don't smoke.
- Enjoy physical and mental activities every day.
- Eat a healthy diet rich in whole grains, vegetables, and fruits, and substitute healthier monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats for unhealthy saturated fats and trans fats.
- Take a daily multivitamin, and be sure to get enough calcium and vitamin D.
- Maintain a healthy weight and body shape.
- Challenge your mind. Keep learning and trying new activities.
- Build a strong social network.
- Follow preventive care and screening guidelines.
- Floss, brush, and see a dentist regularly.
- Ask your doctor if medication can help you control the potential long-term side effects of chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, osteoporosis, or high cholesterol.
Great list! Never underestimate the multi-vitamin!
I have one. "Time-Hacks": Any time you make a decision, consider the impact it will have on the future version of yourself. Set your clothes/outfits out the night before. Shop groceries by what you can make leftovers with. Set two alarms for important events: one to get your attention a few minutes before the other is set to go off. There are tons of time-hacks we can do in the present that will make us look back and thank ourselves later. Aside from creating good habits, the single greatest benefit to this is that you'll begin to appreciate yourself.
After a few weeks of this, you'll notice your overall happiness and satisfaction in life will go through the roof!