Secrets to a Longer and Healthier Life

Ponce de Leon was a Spanish explorer, famous for his quest to find the fountain of youth in Florida. The obsession with staying vigorous and youthful into old age has been with humankind for many years, even centuries.

While the information in this article is not a magic elixir, or fountain of youth, there are some excellent suggestions to help you to live a longer an healthier life. Secrets to a longer and healthier life, gathered from the Mayo clinic website, include:

1. Physical Health. While illness can happen to anyone, there are steps that you can take to guard physical health. Guard physical health by practicing good health habits such as exercising, eating a nutritious diet, proper medical care and avoiding smoking.

2. Relationships. Strong relationships are important in order to stay strong emotionally. Community relationships, friendships and family relationships all contribute to emotional health.

3. Maintain a healthy weight. Sudden shifts of weight, either up or down, are a cause for concern.

4. Exercise daily to reduce the risk of premature death significantly. Exercised is valuable to cut the risk of depression, osteoarthritis, some types of cancer and broken bones. Strengthening the leg muscles reduces the risk of falling and needing a wheelchair later in life. Even is you have never exercised in you life, it is never to late to start an exercise program. If starting a new exercise program. see your doctor for a consultation. Exercise centers and health clubs usually have exercise programs tailored to the needs of seniors. Exercising at a health club or senior center also is a great social outlet for seniors.

5. Take an active role in good health. Some people have a defeatist attitude if they have genetic tendency to certain diseases. Genes enter into only about one quarter to one third of the aging process. The rest of the effects of aging re related to lifestyle, environment and chance. Take control of you health by watching diet, exercising, controlling blood pressure, and maintaining healthy lifestyle habits.

6. Sleep. Get adequate rest. The need for sleep remains consistent throughout our lifetime. Most adults need seven to nine hour of nightly sleep. Aging can cause you to sleep less soundly. Sleep becomes less restful, and insomnia more common, between the ages of 50 and 60. Plan to increase the amount of time in bed to make up for the lack of restfulness. A brief nap in the afternoon may help.

7. It is never too late to begin good health habits. Even if you are already aging, you can clean up you act. People who smoke can quit smoking and begin to see immediate improvement. Losing even a modest amount of weight can help to lower blood pressure and help to prevent type 2 diabetes.

8. Volunteering is good for you. Join a volunteer organization in the community and help a good cause. While you are helping other, you re also helping yourself. Studies have shown that adults who give to others are healthier, better adjusted and less lonely that others.

9. Preventative Health Care. Even if you have never had a serious illness, don't take your good health for granted. See your doctor for an annual checkup. Preventive health screening can help your doctor to detect disease early, when it is the most easy to treat.'

10. Hobbies. It is never too late to start an enjoyable hobby or activity you love.

Information in this article is not intended as medical advice. If you have a medical condition, consult your physician.