5 Basic Rules to Live a Long and Healthy Life
- Use your body every day, whether that’s a fast-paced walk, a hike, or an hour in the garden. Decades of studies show that just 30 minutes of moderate to intense daily physical activity lowers your risk for heart disease, Alzheimer’s, depression, and many types of cancer.
- Getting involved in meaningful activities and groups you care about increases both quality and quantity of life. Studies show that individuals who have a strong sense of purpose—in other words, a reason to get up every day—tend to outlive those who don’t.
- Don’t overeat. Keeping calorie intake in balance with calories burned is critical. Obesity is one of the gravest health threats in the world.
- Don’t drink to excess. Excessive alcohol use is associated with a number of chronic diseases, such as liver cirrhosis, throat cancer, and cardiovascular disease. Drinking too much also impairs sleep and daily function.
- Don’t smoke. There is absolutely nothing more damaging to health, wellness, and fitness than smoking. It is associated with dozens of types of cancer, as well as heart disease, dementia, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.