Health Tips for the New Decade

HAPPY NEW YEAR! Here are some healthy tips that you might want to consider to maintain a happy and healthy life in the new decade.

1. Be happy. Being optimistic is equated to having a long life. Optimism results to longer lifespan. Studies have shown that people who look at the bright side of life to be 85 and even older. Commit to positive change. Bounce back from stress. People who believe that good things will happen in the future are able to regulate emotions and behavior.

2. Enjoy being with young people and children. Studies in the U.K. have demonstrated that seniors who are accepting and amenable to change and further emotional growth are able to mingle and enjoy “quality” time with children and young adults. These people live longer and find meaning in the twilight years of their lives.

3. Stay away from processed foods. A study conducted by the British Medical Association points out that processed snacks and package meals are linked to higher sugar, fat, and salt content no matter how good-tasting they may be. Processed foods increased your risks of getting heart disease and early death.

4. Don’t believe in detox pills and teas. Teas and pills that are considered “weight loss miracles” are hyped. Lose weight gradually. Embrace long-term dietary changes and lifestyle changes to ensure a healthy turnaround.

5. Maintain high fiber diet. Always have your daily fiber foods: oats, wheat bread, whole wheat pasta, potatoes, brown rice, fruits and nuts.

6. Eat much less meat. Experts say that just one bite of sausage would use up your daily meat allowance if you want to live longer.

7. Get plenty of night sleep. Sleeping in a dark and comfortable room gives your body a chance to gain its natural healing powers. Sleep naturally repairs damaged cells of the body and increases your immune system to fight infection and diseases. Aim for 8 hours of good night sleep.

8. Avoid long daytime naps. A Chinese study has proven that people who take long afternoon naps have a greater risk of stroke. Nappers who slept for more than 90 minutes are 25% more likely later to have a stroke compared to those who take “power naps” for less than one hour. In a Switzerland study, it has been found that short naps cut the risk for heart attack and stroke by more than half in people aged 35 to 75.

9. Go for nuts. Nuts are lifesaving. A study at the Harvard Medical School concluded that replacing unhealthy snack with a serving of nuts can reduce obesity and slows down weight gain.

10. Be an early bird. Waking up at a reasonable hour, “fully recharged” and “ready to go” improves your wellbeing, confidence, and outlook in life. It results to a longer and happier life.

11. Go for a weekly jog. Jogging and running increases lifespan. It decreases the risks for cancer and cardiovascular disease. Jog at your own pace.