Living a long, healthy life is something that we all aspire to. But unfortunately, many of us don’t know how to go about it. This blog post will discuss 5 secrets to longevity that will help you live a longer and healthier life!
1. Have a purpose in life
What will your legacy be? What do you want your obituary to say? Some studies have shown that having no sense of purpose in life is associated with an increased risk of developing heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, depression, anxiety disorders, substance abuse disorders, and suicide.
2. Get a strong sense of social support
Who do you turn to in times of need? Do you have lots of friends and family who will stand by your side during one of life’s storms? Most people do, but many don’t take advantage of this wellspring of support. A strong sense of community or social support is associated with a 50% reduction in the death rate from all causes. In addition, studies have shown that when people feel supported by their friends, they are less likely to develop colds or other infections and recover more quickly if they do get sick.
3. Be optimistic
Do you believe that life is basically good and that the world offers many opportunities? Even if you don’t feel optimistic, you can do things to create more hopefulness about the future. And optimism has been shown in dozens of studies to be an excellent predictor of longevity. For example, optimists experience less stress, recover more quickly from diseases, live longer on average than pessimists, have a better immune function, are more successful in their careers, recover faster from surgery, live longer, are less likely to be depressed, have a better immune response and recover from surgery better.
4. Engage in regular physical activity
Getting your blood pumping gives you an immediate boost in energy, focus, and self-esteem while reducing stress, anger, and depression. You don’t have to hit the gym — just lace up your shoes and go for a brisk walk every day. Exercise stimulates the immune system, causing an increase in immunoglobulin A (IgA), which protects you from colds, flu, and other minor viral infections that can decrease your immunity over time.
5. Feel your feelings
Negative emotions — like sadness, anger, and fear — signal that something is wrong with the way you’re living your life. But positive emotions allow you to create balance by making choices to improve your overall quality of life. This balancing act between negative and positive emotions has improved immune function and lower death rates.
The best part is that you don’t have to stay stuck in negative emotions if you’re feeling them. Instead, you can move toward greater happiness by practicing gratitude, forgiving those who’ve hurt you, and asking for guidance from those things outside yourself that make your life better (whatever those may be — faith, meditation…).