We are not living up to our potential for a long and healthy life. The average life expectancy in the US is about 78 even though there are many places throughout the world where people often live more than 100 years.
These areas where people live longer include Okinawa, Japan, Sardinia, Italy, and the Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica.
Many people believe that genetics plays a big role in your health and longevity but research shows that genetics determines only 25%. The choices you make in life determine the rest.
There are several factors common throughout these areas where people live the longest.
Limit Meat
A diet consisting of beans, whole grains, vegetables, and other plant foods promotes a healthy body. Our bodies have difficulty digesting meat so it is best to avoid it.
Eat Less
The biggest health problem in the US is overconsumption. This increases the risk of many health problems including: obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and chronic fatigue. Okinawan elders remind the young of these words: hara hachi bu -- a reminder to stop eating when you are 80% full. Our stomaches start off small when we are young but will expand when we eat too much. This causes us to eat more because we don't feel full. By eating less it is easier to maintain a healthy weight.
More Activity, Less Exercise
Our bodies are designed to move. When we sit in an office all day, drive our cars home, and watch TV at night we are not making use of our gifts. Because people feel they have to move around to stay healthy they buy gym memberships to run on treadmills and lift weights. These actions only work our bodies in isolation.
Activities such as as hiking, tending a garden, dancing, climbing trees, and martial arts work the whole body and are fun. Daily activity improves our balance and mind body connection and keeps us healthy for years to come.
Try some red wine
Moderation is key for everything in your life and drinking is no different. Research shows that people who drink a glass of red wine a day may reduce the risk of stroke and heart disease later in life. If you often drink beer or hard liquor consider switching to red wine. If you do not drink alcohol I cannot recommend that you start drinking now.
Connect with your Family
You chose your family when you were born because you had something to teach them and also to learn from them. When you establish strong family relationships it creates a space to learn and grow together and people to turn to for support and celebration. Your parents are the first people who you learn from and connect with. Because of this, people with weak family relationships are more likely to develop emotional problems and connecting with other people.
Develop a Sense of Purpose in Life
We all have a reason to live. One of the greatest challenges in life is finding out what this is. Search for whatever it is that excites you and gets you going in the morning. When you believe you have a purpose in life everything you do becomes more enjoyable from eating meals, working, to your daily interactions with people.
Life is a journey so be sure to have fun along the way. It can be easy to get so caught up with what you want to achieve that you lose enjoyment on the path that gets you there. Remember that moderation is important in everything you do. Don't focus so much on what you have to do that life becomes a drag. In the end your life is measured not by how long it is but by what you do while you're here.
You chose your family when you were born because you had something to teach them and also to learn from them. When you establish strong family relationships it creates a space to learn and grow together and people to turn to for support and celebration. Your parents are the first people who you learn from and connect with. Because of this, people with weak family relationships are more likely to develop emotional problems and connecting with other people.
Develop a Sense of Purpose in Life
We all have a reason to live. One of the greatest challenges in life is finding out what this is. Search for whatever it is that excites you and gets you going in the morning. When you believe you have a purpose in life everything you do becomes more enjoyable from eating meals, working, to your daily interactions with people.
Life is a journey so be sure to have fun along the way. It can be easy to get so caught up with what you want to achieve that you lose enjoyment on the path that gets you there. Remember that moderation is important in everything you do. Don't focus so much on what you have to do that life becomes a drag. In the end your life is measured not by how long it is but by what you do while you're here.
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