If someone asks you what it takes to have a healthy life, you will likely answer: having a good diet, practicing physical exercises, having leisure, and doing what you like, among other practices. And you are not wrong! All of this is part of a healthy life, but different straightforward attitudes can improve your quality of life.
And you are not wrong! All of this is part of a healthy life, but other straightforward attitudes can improve your quality of life.
1 – Spend More Time In Nature
Spending more time in green spaces can help you live longer. Living longer wasn’t the only benefit either. The researchers noted that spending time in green spaces also increases social engagement, which improves relationships and makes us happier. If you live in a concrete jungle, having a view of the green space can improve your mood whether you take a walk or not.
Another study from the Department of Forest Resources at the National University of Korea found that office workers who enjoyed a view of the forest had higher job satisfaction and less stress than those without a thought of green areas.
2 – Try Occasional Fasting
The idea here is this: when the body is not busy digesting food or trying to eliminate toxins and instead enters a fasted state, it “shuts down” and lets the cells regenerate and create new stem cells.
Fortunately, there are also benefits of intermittent fasting for short periods. Women can also try modified intermittent fasting for the female version to ensure their hormones don’t get out of control.
3 – Stop Watching So Much TV!
Spending too much time in front of the TV makes you passive. A study published by the “American Heart Association” revealed that people who watched TV for three or more hours a night doubled their risk of premature death compared to those who watched an hour or less of TV.
If you feel “compulsive” watching TV, it’s probably time to limit the number of hours you spend in front of the set. If that’s impossible, try to keep moving while watching. You can use a treadmill or exercise bike while viewing the schedule.
Another tip: make a small “circuit” in the room to perform push-ups, squats, and sit-ups.
4 – Surround Yourself With Friends And Family
It’s true that sometimes friends and family can drive us crazy, but they could also be helping you live longer. A study published in the “Harvard Happiness Study” found that strong, meaningful relationships and social relationships are the keys to a happy life.
It makes sense, as lonely or isolated people have a higher risk of death than those with a solid social network.
If your friends live far away, using Facebook or other social media to stay connected might be a good idea.
5 – Always Learn!
A study found that book readers lived, on average, almost two years longer than people who did not have this habit. Those who read up to 3.5 hours a week were 17% less likely to die over the 12 years than tracked participants; those who read the most were 22% less likely to break.
6 – Volunteer For A Cause
Volunteering can indeed contribute to your health! A study found that people who volunteer with altruistic motivations live longer than people who don’t.
Interestingly, people who have volunteered to help others for selfish reasons like “it helps me feel good” or “it will look good on my resume” do not receive the same benefits.
7 – Use Your Smartphone Less
People everywhere don’t let go of their smartphones. Technology has its good side; the problem is when it is overused. This hurts our relationships and causes general dissatisfaction with life. We waste a lot of time with empty information; that time could be filled with healthier activities.
How about making an effort to take a break without checking messages and social media? Try starting with a few minutes a day until you can use your smartphone only when necessary.
ALSO READ: 7 STEPS TO HAVE A HEALTHY BODY AND IMPROVE QUALITY OF LIFE