Aging is a natural biological process - but it wasn’t meant to make you weaker or less functional.  In fact, did you know that the human body was designed to live for more than a hundred years?

Unfortunately, modern living and modern stresses on the human body has reduced the average human lifespan to a mere fraction of what used to be the normal human lifespan.

If you are interested in living a long, healthy life and do all the things you still want to do during the golden years, then it’s time to reveal the true secrets to longevity.

1. Modify your diet

Two of the biggest killers in the US and around the world is diabetes and heart disease.  These two killers manifest when you have too much sugar in your diet (especially corn syrup, which is used in almost all commercially prepared foods) and too little exercise.

It would be best if you reduced or eliminated your dependence on sugary drinks - because you would be greatly improving your chances of beating diabetes and a host of other diseases (including cancer) if you can normalize your blood glucose level.

Additionally, you need to get at least thirty minutes of light to moderate exercise everyday, on most days (that means at least 5 times per week). Remember, the more you exercise, the better your body responds.  You will also avoid insulin sensitivity by exercising more and eating less sugar.

2. Stock up on antioxidants

Free radicals are harmful byproducts of cellular processes and metabolism.  A healthy body is capable of disarming free radicals, which in turn protects your tissue and organs from oxidative stress.

Unfortunately, the body cannot produce antioxidants in sufficient amounts on its own. Your diet has to be rich in antioxidants if you want the body to preserve its cells, tissues and organs.

One easy way to get more antioxidants is by eating more fruits and vegetables.  Dark green vegetables are rich in antioxidants and also contain a healthy amount of fiber, which is necessary for normal digestion and waste disposal.

Having enough fiber in the body also protects you from accumulation of toxins in the digestive tract. Foods rich in antioxidants include green tea, grapes, nuts, berries and of course, all kinds of vegetables.

If you don’t feel like drinking red wine to get the benefits of resveratrol (which is supposedly responsible for the French Paradox), you can easily get resveratrol by eating lots of grapes and certain types of nuts.  Avoidance of alcohol is a good step because alcohol generally causes negative effects on the human body.

3. Don’t let stress win

Let’s face it - when it comes to making us feel sick, nothing beats the reigning king: stress.  Too much stress in your life can lead to premature aging, disease and early death.  That is why it is so important that you discover the best stress management method for yourself.

Stress management can take the form of counseling, exercise, meditation, massage, etc.  People respond differently to these stress management techniques, so try at least two to find out which suites you the best.  Don’t forget that what you do also has a bearing on the amount of biological stresses that your body receives.

If you smoke, try quitting because that will also give your body the chance to heal and recover from the stresses caused by thousands of toxins released into the bloodstream every time you smoke.  You would also benefit greatly from quitting because you will no longer have to be dependent on nicotine when you feel stressed.

4. Don’t forget the importance of friends

Having a healthy social life can prolong your life.  Having friends and someone to talk to regularly also promotes mental health and can most certainly ward off depression in seniors.

5. Keeping the mind healthy

Our emotions and thoughts have a large impact on our health, which is why we should always strive to keep our brains active and constantly stimulated.  Activities such as learning a foreign language can help prevent depression and also keeps the neural connections in the brain in top condition.  You should also practice a more positive outlook in life; negative thinking never benefits the human body and the human mind in any way.

Sources:
articles.mercola.com
webmd.com