Saturday, February 2, 2013

Living the good life: 10+1

People are always trying to find the secret of good health and longevity. Just about any magazine you pick up will have some sort of advice: from eating blueberries to a simple walking regime. Last week I read one that I think is the truest of all--ready?

1. Social connections: people with a consistent, active social life (friends, family, neighbors, colleagues) are less likely to decline in the ability to reason, remember, or physically able to perform day-to-day activities. Having those connections plays a more important role than smoking, lack of exercise, or obesity.

2. Pets: people with pets have healthier hearts. They help lower blood pressure and are always ready to exercise or just be there when you need them.

3. Chocolate: of course it's dark chocolate, but the higher percentage of cocoa the more healthy it is. It lowers blood pressure, improves blood flow to the brain and heart, and raises your good cholesterol. No more than an ounce a day, though, as it does have calories. (:

4. Coffee: yea!! It lowers the risk of diabetes, heart disease, pneumonia, protects against skin cancer, liver damage, Parkinson's, and delays the onset of Alzheimer's.

5. Wine or beer: daily max of one glass for women is heart healthy and can protect against diabetes and certain types of cancer. They were unsure if it was the alcohol or some other component.

6. Sex: the endorphins released act as painkillers, reduce anxiety, reduce depression, and bolster the immune system.

7. Music: joyful music (which is whatever is your favorite!) causes tissue in the lining of blood vessels to expand, increasing blood flow. It brings on sound sleep, boosts mood, and reduces anxiety. Listening to music after surgery even reduces the need for pain medication.

8. Naps: a midafternoon nap can help improve mood, memory, alertness, and learning. A 90-minute nap clears the brain's short-term memory storage and makes room for new information; a 20-minute nap improves alertness and performance without grogginess.

9. Nature: being outside and seeing green is as healthy as eating greens! It improves the way the immune system works and helps diabetics with glucose levels. Just five minutes a day of an outdoor activity boosts your mood and sense of well-being.

10. Soap: okay, one kind of weird one--stop using cleaners that have the antibacterial agent triclosan. It may contribute to the rise of dangerous, disease-causing bacteria resistant to antibiotics and asthma.

Finally they say, "Living a long and healthy life has a lot to do with living an enjoyable life. At least once a week, buy yourself the present of spending time doing exactly what you want."

Based on this and the research behind this list, I think I am doing pretty well! This is do-able. (:

*Source:
Simon, Nissa. "10 Tips for Better Health." aarp.org/bulletin. January-February 2012: 10-14.

1 comment:

  1. Should be easy enough, ha! :) Life is good, but can be tough. And remember to breathe!

    ReplyDelete