Everyone wants to live a long and healthy life. Now that we are entering a medical era where fatal diseases are becoming treatable and every detail of our health can be monitored, it is now easier to take advantage of information and technology that will let us live a healthier lifestyle.
One of the world’s leading cancer doctors, Dr. David Agus, shared some surprising yet effective secrets into living longer. Here are some ways to future-proof your health, based on his article published in The Daily Mail UK.
1. Have a Hug Everyday
Believe it or not, sharing cuddles has the amazing ability to change our heart rate, lower cortisol levels and blood pressure, and trigger the release of feel-good chemicals in the brain that stimulate the hippocampus.
2. Ditch Processed Food Additives
A study by scientists at the Georgia State University revealed that emusilfiers such as guar gum, carrageenan, carboxymethylcellulose, polyglycerols, locust bean gum, xanthum gum and polysorbate-80 have damaging effects on our microbiome. When these emulsifiers were fed to healthy mice, they developed a metabolic disorder as well as intestinal inflammation.
3. Taper off Certain Medications
Certain medications such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory painkillers can increase risk of stroke or heart attack with regular use. This is the exact reason as to why you should take an inventory of your medicines as well as over-the-counter drugs, supplements and vitamins. Find out if there are options to manage your condition other than taking medications but make sure to consult your doctor first.
4. Have a Positive Outlook in Life
It may sound a cliche but having a positive outlook in life will help you live a healthier life. In order to achieve this, you need to avoid things or people that trigger low mood. For instance, you can get rid of people in your life who upset you.
5. Don’t Use an Alarm Clock
Not having enough sleep can cause a variety of health damages including hypertension, memory loss, confusion, obesity, depression, inability to learn new things, as well as cardiovascular disease. Try ditching your alarm clock to allow yourself to get an ample amount of sleep.
6. Walk Daily
According to two large-scale studies in JAMA Internal Medicine, 450 minutes’ exercise is the optimum weekly amount for a long life. Exercising a little more than an hour daily helps lower blood pressure and diabetes risk and promotes better cholesterol levels.