by Marcus Gould: No matter your age, there is nothing that could stop you from living a long and happy life…
There are many factors that will decide how long you are going to live, and some of them are indeed unchangeable. However, there are other aspects present in your life that could decrease or increase your lifespan, depending on your daily actions and inherent mindset.
Here you can find some advice on how to change your life for the better and thus, live longer. Enjoy!
Control Your Mind
If you want to master life, you must learn to master your own mind. The macrocosmos, also called the Universe, is just a reflection of our inner microcosmos. The Universe is holographic, so every single thought that runs through our minds will affect our actions and eventually cause an effect on our physical plane of living. The key to achieving lifelong wellness and happiness is becoming conscious of our thoughts, actions, and emotions, or in other words, learn to be mindful.
- Avoid negative thinking by asking yourself why – why did A happen? Could it be possible that the ultimate purpose of A taking place was to lead to point B? There is no such thing as coincidence. “We do not create our destiny; we participate in its unfolding. Synchronicity works as a catalyst toward the working out of that destiny,” writes David Richo in his book, The Power of Coincidence.
- Start believing in yourself – we tend to think negatively and refuse to change our mindset when we are not confident in our strength. Start trusting yourself. Open a dialogue with your heart and start discussing the issues that you can’t let go.
- Give up on control – the only way to actually live life (not just pass through it) is surrendering to the present moment and accepting everything that happens in your life as it is. You should learn to trust the Universe. Remember! That does not mean letting go of your free will. In the end, nobody can choose how to live your life besides… you!
Learn to Breathe
Studies have shown that meditation increases positive emotion, decreases anxiety and stress, and elevates social connection. The main focus of meditation is concentrating entirely on your breathing and seizing the present moment. Here are some ways that could help you start your practice –
- Try mantra meditation for beginners. A mantra is a phrase or a word which you will repeat to yourself while meditating. Its role is giving you something to focus on while breathing.
- Make sure you find a comfortable spot to meditate. You could lay on your back, with both your arms and legs extended and palms facing the sky or sit on the floor with your legs crossed.
- Now close your eyes and breathe in and out. Repeat this exercise and focus solely on your breathing.
- If you chose a mantra, start repeating it to yourself and focus on that.
Stay Hydrated
Our human bodies need water to function properly, so staying hydrated is crucial to your long-time well-being. You should remind yourself to do the following each day –
- Drink warm water as soon as you wake up – it will not only refresh your body, but it will also cleanse it
- Have water with you all the time – buy a thermos from Walmart and carry it around with you
- Drink water often – set the alarm every hour as a reminder
- Monitor your urine, see how it looks like – if it’s not too light, you are not hydrated enough
Eat Well
You must eat regular, healthy meals if you want to live a long life. Eating fast-food on the go is not a brilliant idea. We recommend a plant-based diet for excellent health outcomes.
Studies conducted at the U.S. National Library of Medicine show that there are numerous the benefits of a plant-based diet, including promotion of healthy body weight, increases in fiber and phytonutrients, food-microbiome interactions, and decreases in saturated fat, advanced glycation end products, nitrosamines, and heme iron.
Here’s what your mindful diet should look like –
- Veggies, veggies, veggies! They contain vitamin A and K, which is exactly what you need for energy.
- Choose various ingredients for your cooking sessions, such as beans, chickpeas, lentils, etc.
- Add whole grains to your diet, such as brown rice, quinoa, pasta for vitamin B.
- Exclude saturated fat products from your diet
- Avoid the consumption of meat and dairy for health reasons; replace them with tofu and almond milk!
- Consume a moderate number of nuts per day
- Get supplements to meet your vitamin D quota
- Don’t forget to pay attention to your iron levels! Eat lots of greens.
- Take B12 supplements if you’ve decided to give up on meat.
Exercise
Working out is essential to your overall well-being. Before getting your hands on it, check your health and make sure you have no health problems that could prevent you from performing physically. Then, design a workout plan and set attainable goals for each day, week, or month. It’s important to make exercising a habit, otherwise you’ll give up on it as soon as you start.
The amount of time spent exercising depends on your abilities. Studies at the American College of Sports Medicine recommend no more than 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week. You could divide this time as you wish but try to spread it out throughout three or four days.
Get Enough Sleep
“No sleep equals no energy,” explains Dr. Rosa Crempog, Sleep Specialist at the New York National Sleep Institute and Assignment Services Leader at Academy. “To sleep properly, we must keep in sync with our bodies’ natural sleep-wake cycles. We should go to bed at the same time every night and wake up around the same hour each morning,” ends Dr. Crempog.
Find more info on how you can improve your sleep here.
Wrapping Up
Achieving longevity and happiness throughout your life is the ultimate result of your actions. So, control your thoughts, actions, and emotions, connect with your higher self by practicing meditation, avoid dairy and meat products but eat regularly, exercise, and get enough sleep throughout the night.
Marcus Gould is a marketing and business content writer. He has been traveling most of his life while constantly learning new writing techniques for the themes he covers. Marcus is passionate about education, motivation, and is intrigued by technology. Feel free to follow him on Twitter.
