5 Fundamentals For A Long And Healthy Life

Across the world, the average life expectancy is around 71 years for men and over 75 years for women. Because of these numbers, a lot of people expect that they’ll get to that age naturally without having to do anything extra. However, the people that live to that age and beyond almost all follow basic rules of longevity. There are a few key fundamentals that you must stick to if you want to live a long and healthy life, and here are the five most important ones. 

5. Hydration

Your body is made of water more than anything else, but yet, nearly half of Americans don’t get the daily recommended amount of water. You should make it a priority to get two to four liters of water per day, as the short and long term health benefits are never ending. Good hydration reduces your chances of certain types of cancers by up to 50 percent while also boosting your energy through the day, just to name a couple of the benefits. 

4. Mental Health

Mental health has thankfully moved to the forefront of the public eye and people are becoming more aware of their own mental health and those around them. It’s estimated that now 1 out of every 4 Americans have at least one mental disorder, and that’s just those that are diagnosed. If you feel like you may have a mental illness, it’s important to get help as soon as possible. This is because studies have shown that those with mental illness tend to live 10 to 20 years less than those that don’t.

3. Exercise

Many of us are tied to our desks for at least eight hours per day and then don’t have the mental or physical energy to fit in any exercise. Exercise should be placed into your everyday schedule, though. That’s because studies have shown those that get at least 7,000 steps in per day are likely to live much longer lives. Getting an hour in of brisk walking at the very least will manage your weight and help alleviate a multitude of health problems. 

2. Sleep

Due to the hustle and bustle of today’s world, a lot of people are sacrificing time in which they’d normally sleep to fit in other things. If you want to live a long and healthy life, though, it’s important to get the recommended amount of sleep. This is about 7 hours or more per night, which seems like a lot, but you shouldn’t scoff at that number. Those that get enough sleep greatly reduce their risk of heart disease, obesity, stroke and much, much more.

1. Nutrition

More and more, people are straying away from healthy and nutritional meals and opting for whatever is the fastest and cheapest. This has caused adverse health problems around the world, with the obesity rates in the United States alone climbing to around 42 percent in recent years. Because of this, life expectancy on average has essentially come to a standstill. Those that follow good nutritional habits, though, are seeing themselves live longer and longer. A good balance of vitamins, protein and good fats go a long way in your health.