Can you live forever just by adopting healthier everyday habits? It’d be nice, but unfortunately, there is no study that supports this. However, multiple studies DO show that trying any of the below easy-to-follow tips can help extend your life – as well as help you feel good and increase the quality of your everyday life.
Eat Chocolate. Dark chocolate, that is. Regular consumption of a chocolate relieves stress and helps keep your heart healthier. Plus, indulging a little bit every day is actually a great way to help you stick to your overall health goals, such as working out and eating right. Eat only a small square a day, since sugar control is something else that helps promote a longer life.
Eat More Green Veggies. Research has shown that societies that eat plant-based diets and lean proteins live longer. Additionally, a recent study linked the amount of red meat in your diet to your actual risk of death. Try limiting your red meat intake to two or three servings a week.
Get More Sleep. Study after study shows that African Americans in general are not getting enough sleep. A recent study found that women who slept for between five and six and a half hours a night survived longer than those who slept for more than eight or fewer than five. What’s the big deal? Not only can adequate rest help you be more productive and live longer, a lack of sleep can increases risks of obesity and multiple health conditions, including heart disease and certain cancers.
Give Up That Soda. We’re not letting this go. According to multiple sodaIt’s not just the sugar in soda you have to worry about: recent studies have found that diet soda can be just as deadly as regular soda. So help improve your life and lower disease risks by either giving up soda or drastically cutting back on drinking it.
Exercise. Working out isn’t just about getting rid of body fat. Exercise is a great way to help prevent diseases, strengthen your heart and muscles, reduce stress, and put yourself in a better mood.
Move Around. In addition to getting in more exercise, try to be more active in your everyday life as well. The societies that live the longest are based on lifestyles that keep people moving around more often. Studies have shown that sitting for hours a day can be deadly. Fight back by constantly taking breaks to stretch and walk around.
Cut Back On Sugar. Excess sugar can increase your risks for diabetes, weight gain and heart disease, ease back on those refined sugar. Your goal? No morenot to eat more than 100 calories (or six teaspoons) a day of sugar.
Drink More Green Tea. Multiple studies show that the ECGC component of green tea fights free radicals, helps manage your weight, and can even fight certain cancers. For maximum benefits, experts say to drink at least 16 ounces of green tea a day.
Drink Red Wine. Relaxing with a glass of red wine can be a mood booster. In addition, the resveratrol red wine has been shown to reduce the risk of heart and cardiovascular disease thanks to the resveratrol and other anti-oxidants it contains.