Here’s a secret about longevity. Nobody wants to live to be a 100-year-old, if it means that you feel like a rusty bike, unable to move around much and cannot enjoy life. The real goal isn’t just adding years to your life. It is adding value to your life.
So, forget all those fad diets that entice you to drink juices or fast for crazy hours and lose weight within a few days. These fad diets cost a fortune, and they simply don’t work. Staying vibrant for the long haul comes down to just simple habits that you enjoy.
If you observe life in the Blue zones, where people live up to a 100 years and above, they eat a variety of seasonal fruits and vegetables. Their diet is 95 per cent plant-based and just 5pc red meat. They eat whole grains and complex carbohydrates and stay away from packaged junk foods and processed foods.
So how does one create a long and healthy life? Firstly, start eating healthy. Load your plate with a rainbow salad and cooked vegetables, nuts and seeds, rather than focusing on simple carbohydrates which are not satiating and will spike up your blood sugar levels. Use healthy cold-pressed oils sparingly when cooking your meals. Consume red meat or chicken occasionally.
You don’t need to burn yourself out at the gymnasium everyday to stay young. Some people go to extremes by exercising 3-4 hours every day. Overdoing on exercises will in fact increase your cortisol levels. Over exertion without proper rest and recovery will increase stress levels and can sometimes do more harm than good. The longest living people on Earth, don’t pump iron, they just move constantly and are active. Just doing simple household chores, climbing stairs, daily walks, yoga, Pilates, tai chi, occasional weight and resistance training will keep you young. Your joints and heart will thank you a few decades down the road.
Sleep hygiene is a very important part of a healthy lifestyle. Set your circadian rhythm by sleeping at a fixed time every day (preferably by 11pm) and getting up every morning by 6am. During sleep there is cell generation and repairs being done and your brain is flushing out cellular waste. Late nights and poor sleep hygiene is detrimental for the body. In fact, people who live very long and healthy lives, generally get at least 8 hours of sleep.
Give your life a purpose and goal. One should have something to look forward to on waking up. It could just be your work, career, hobbies, meeting up with friends, learning new things, reading more books and spending less time on social media.
Don’t try to change your entire life by tomorrow morning. Just pick one thing and do it every day. Be consistent. It could be drinking more water, daily walks, eating healthy, yoga practice or learning a new hobby. Enjoy the feeling of starting something new and keep adding another healthy habit.
One small step at a time. Enjoy the feeling and let the momentum carry you forward.
Perrin
The Holistic Coach
&uuid=(email))