It’s inevitable. When we’re young and strong, the idea that we might not live forever may be at the back of our minds, but many of us are more inclined to take chances with our health. After all, we reason, there’s plenty of time to switch to healthier habits later on. As the years go by, however, we become increasingly aware that getting the most and the best out of our lives means making sensible lifestyle choices and being vigilant.
Looking for some tips to help you retain your vitality for as long as possible? There’s little doubt that you already know that a healthy diet and exercise can help. But there are a few extra tips for you that are worth knowing!
1. Listen to Your Body – And Go For Those Health Checks
Big problems often start with minor symptoms. If you can’t explain them, or they persist for longer than they should, you should see a doctor. In illnesses like cancer, early detection improves your chances of it being a minor event rather than a long-term struggle; more information on early detection is available on this page.
The onset of Diabetes, which has become a growing problem around the world, might be prevented or even staved off with early diagnosis too. For example, if you have pre-diabetes, adapting your diet and exercise habits could mean that you won’t get full-blown diabetes. The list goes on.
Going to the doctor because you’ve had minor symptoms for some time, or feel perfectly healthy but haven’t had a checkup for a while, might feel unnecessary at the time, but it could be extremely important to your longer-term health.
2. Eat a Mediterranean Diet
Research has linked Western diets and South Asian diets to a higher incidence of “non-communicable” illnesses. These include heart disease, diabetes, and cancers. Mediterranean diets, on the other hand, are linked to greater health and longevity. That’s because they’re low in saturated fats, include lots of fruit and veggies, and include only moderate amounts of meat and dairy products.
Still, craving hamburgers and fries? Save them for treats and occasional “cheat” days. Once you get into it, you’ll find that typical Mediterranean foods are flavourful and delicious – but take it easy on the pasta!
At the very least, be sure to get your “five a day” of fresh fruits and veg, and cut down on fatty and sugary foods. Alcohol? That’s for special occasions, and then, red wine is the healthiest choice.
3. 30 Minutes of Moderate Exercise a Day
You definitely knew that exercise was part of the prescription for a longer, healthier life. But what most people don’t know is how little that really can be. If you aren’t overweight and just want to keep healthy, 30 minutes of moderate exercise (like walking or cycling) is probably enough for you.
So, if you were daunted by the thought of gyms, jogging, or hours spent on the treadmill, think again. How hard is it to find 30 minutes in your daily routine? If it still looks tough, try getting up a little earlier.
All the same, if you want to build strength and stamina or want to lose a few pounds, you’ll need to do a bit more than that. Try it! Exercise can become a healthy and constructive hobby.