5 Healthy Habits That Will Add Years to Your Life

Nobody likes to think about how long they have to live. After all, our own mortality is one of the scariest realizations we can have. However, the more we are aware of our situation, the more changes we can make for the better. Here are five healthy habits that can add years to your life.

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1. Eat Fruits and Vegetables

Making a serious effort to eat enough fruits and vegetables can have a tremendous impact on your life expectancy. Those who eat little to no servings of fruits and vegetables have a lower life expectancy. Subjects who ate zero servings per day lost three years in comparison to those who ate five servings.

2. Drink in Moderation

It is no secret that everyone enjoys a drink every once in a while. While there is absolutely no harm in drinking responsibly a few times a month, drinking too much can have long-term health defects. According to nhs.uk, it is recommended that you drink no more than 14 units per week. Drinking too often can have damaging effects on kidney functioning, memory and more.

3. Read Information Regarding Health

Another healthy habit to consider when aging is the consumption of health information. There are myriad sources for gaining more knowledge about healthy habits and lifestyle changes. Continuously exposing yourself to this information is a great way to develop new ideas and strategies for remaining healthy. Websites such as the Chronic Pain Daily are great resources to begin with.

4. Spend Time with Friends

Everyone understands how important social interaction is as we age. It has been shown to reduce stress and even improve health. However, Australian scientists have discovered that spending time with friends in old age can improve life expectancy more than spending time with family. One of the important factors regarding this discovery is the reduction of stress that individuals experience when spending time with friends.

5. Exercise Regularly

Exercise is one of the most important components to remaining healthy as you age. Working out can help to improve cardiovascular system performance, posture, muscle reinforcement and strength. Also, exercise can help prevent common injuries that many aging individuals experience. While specific workouts must be catered to your appropriate age and ability, even a little movement on a regular basis can help add years to your life.

There is no definitive way to determine how long you will live. Furthermore, there are no surefire ways to guarantee a long life. However, there are certain habits and lifestyle changes that can give you the best chances of living a long and healthy life.