Getting Older? Don't Panic

For a lot of people, getting older is a frightening prospect. The changes that the body goes through often do not mirror the mind, and age often comes with frailty, infirmity and a general vulnerability to illness. The life expectancy for men and women has continued to rise year on year, which means that you get the chance to live a lot longer – based on the right choices. Everyone wants to live that little bit longer, but there’s no point in living longer if you’re not going to live life in a healthy manner.

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Old age is something that should be taken very seriously. It demands to be taken seriously, whether you want to or not. You can’t be flippant about your age if you’re not looking after yourself. Remember the vulnerability that I mentioned earlier? Old age comes with that, and your body won’t be so accommodating of the pressure that you put on your body in your 20s when you’re 60. Living longer is the goal for many people, and with oncology research and medical research being as aggressive as it is today, it’s becoming the reality for many. Making even the smallest of changes can actually change your life entirely, but you have to be bold enough to make those choices and choose your health over anything else. There is no need to panic about getting older; it’s saved for the lucky ones. So, while you’re there and wondering how you can improve your life so that living longer is the result for you, check out these ways that you can do just that.

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1. Laugh. There is so much research out there that states that laughter is a good medicine. Not only has it been shown to ease pain, it can boost blood flow and help you to fight heart disease. Even when you don’t look unhealthy on the outside, your insides could be struggling. Laughter also boosts the mood and leads to overall motivation to do and be better.

2. Sleep. There is a balance that is required when it comes to the length of time that you sleep. Sleeping far too much is just as bad for you as not sleeping enough. You need a happy medium of around six to seven hours a night to be able to live longer than others. The human body is extremely resilient, but not enough to need less than four hours a night to repair and recharge.

3. Eat. Understanding the foods that make you healthy is one thing but understanding that garlic can extend your life is another. This stinky food may not be too nice to sniff during cooking, but it tastes amazing and is known as ‘nature’s antibiotic’. It’s a very powerful cleanser of the digestive system, and you can promote a healthy heart and good circulation with it. It can also lower your blood pressure. With high blood pressure being the side effect of many other issues, it’s important to know how to combat it. Given the importance of cancer research, there is a lot of evidence that can suggest the prevention of cancers of the digestive system can be aided with – you guessed it – garlic.

4. Sex. Being active in the bedroom isn’t just for fun, it’s going to make you healthier. You can keep active and reduce your risk of a heart attack by enjoying sex three to four times per week. Not only that, but you can sleep better and be far more content with your partner. This means a longer, happier life.

5. Tea. Tea is one of the drinks of the world that is so common to wake up to and there’s no denying the benefits of black or green tea on your health. Tea is packed with antioxidants and can help you to increase your bone density. A daily cup of tea is going to help you to boost your health and make you feel on top of the world.

6. Checks. When you have a shower, it’s important to go over your body with a personal health check yourself. Self-checking your breasts if you’re a woman and your testicles if you’re a man can mean the difference between being ill without knowing it and being in tune with your body. You’re going to live much longer if you catch lumps on your body that aren’t supposed to be there early enough.

7. Medical Appointments. Smear tests for women and prostate exams for men are no joke. There is nothing nice about an invasive procedure, but it’s going to save your life. Hang your dignity at the door along with your underwear for a quick examination that has the possibility of preventing any diseases which could kill you prematurely. Don’t be afraid; a little discomfort is far better than an early death.

8. Drink. While alcohol is usually off the list of things that are going to be healthy for you, a glass a day of red wine is actually very good for your health. The best thing for your health is always going to be water and drinking enough water every day will honestly change your life. You will find yourself far more energized and ready to take on the world if you are hydrating your body and brain properly every day. The human body is made of between 55-75% water, which sweats out of your pores and when you cry. 8 glasses a day is what we need for our health, so start counting.

Relax. Whether your favorite way to kick back is with friends or reading a good book, you need to find the time every single day to relax. It reduces your blood pressure and can really help any issues related to stress that you may be suffering. Relaxation exercises like these can make a huge difference to the way that you feel every day.

Taking the time to work on extending your life and living a healthier and happier lifestyle is never going to be a bad thing. You can never have any guarantees, but why not live the best life that you can, anyway?