Is it possible to reverse the effects of aging naturally and prolong one’s lifespan? Yes, there are many ways you can turn back the clock on time and enhance your longevity. This article doesn’t promise to give you the secret to immortality, but it can help you age gracefully and stay healthy in your seventies. Here’s the secret to living longer.

1. Genetics Isn’t Everything

Does genetics indicate you long you’ll live? Research indicates that genetics are merely responsible for a third of your potential to live longer. Just because your parents managed to live into their nineties, it won’t help you live longer if you don’t live a healthy lifestyle. Many factors influence your lifespan, such as your diet, hobbies, societal relationships, etc.

2. Get Regular Checkups

Don’t skip your doctor’s appointments, and go for regular checkups to maintain your well-being. So, what’s the benefit of these annual checkups? Doctors may find a disease in its early phases and treat it posthaste to prolong your lifespan. For instance, many people exposed to asbestos are at risk of developing a rare disease called mesothelioma. When diagnosed early, this disease can be treated to prolong the patient’s lifespan. In such cases, patients can also contact a lawyer and receive a mesothelioma settlement worth $1 million to $1.4 million for treatment.

3. Keep Yourself Moving

One of the unhealthiest trends in the American lifestyle is adopting sedentary activities. Known by the umbrella term sedentarism, these activities involve sitting, lying, watching TV, and using your computer. Sedentary behaviors, fostered by our excessive reliance on technology, reduce a person’s lifespan. Your body’s made to stay active and move around, so keep yourself moving to stay healthy. Don’t sit too long and take short breaks to keep moving around.

4. Exercise More Often

Another way to avoid a sedentary lifestyle is by exercising. Exercise doesn’t necessarily mean lifting weights and doing pushups. All you need to do is stay active for half an hour every day. Engage in active hobbies, e.g., walking, jogging, cycling, gardening, or yoga, to boost your physical health. Also, exercise stimulates the release of endorphins that keep you happy and bolster your mental well-being. Aerobic exercises can rejuvenate your stem cells and protect them from the adverse effects of aging, thereby helping you live a longer and healthier life.

5. Drink More Water

Are you drinking enough water? Stay hydrated to prolong your life and reverse the effects of aging. Studies suggest drinking sufficient water can prevent hypertension, improve blood circulation, and safeguard against many serious diseases. That’s how you can live longer by staying hydrated. If you want to down fluids other than water, try drinking some OJ, smoothies, and milkshakes. It is important to avoid too much coffee; caffeinated beverages are only healthy in moderation.

6. Drink In Moderation

Just like coffee, you must also drink alcohol in moderation. It’s better to give up alcoholic beverages altogether. However, if you insist on drinking, remember that men should drink 2 drinks/day at max, and, for women, the limit is just one drink daily. Drinking is associated with many serious diseases, so sobriety can actually prolong your lifespan.

7. Give Up Smoking

Smoking leads to many serious ailments and takes a decade off your life. If you can’t quit smoking immediately, decrease the number of cigarettes you smoke to get rid of this bad habit gradually. Some smokers switch to vaping to eventually give up this tobacco obsession altogether. When you become a nonsmoker, your blood pressure improves; you notice an abrupt positive change in your well-being. You’ll also look younger and can live a longer life.

8. Avoid Unhealthy Foods

Obesity has become a pandemic in the United States because of people’s unhealthy obsession with processed foods. Most Americans eat junk food 1 to 3 times a week, and 33% consume fast food daily. These unhealthy foods contain dangerous amounts of sodium and fats that lead to diabetes, hypertension, and heart diseases. So don’t consume processed foods excessively; eat fruits and vegetables instead.

9. Socialize With Others

Connecting with your loved ones can help you live a happier and more fulfilling life. Try to maintain societal relationships, rekindle old associations, and maintain an active social lifestyle. Also, make healthy relationships; associating with bad people isn’t healthy for your mental and physical health. If you live far away from family and friends, use social media to keep in touch with them. A healthy social life can help you adopt healthy habits, keep mental health problems at bay, and eventually improve your chances of living longer.

10. Get Enough Sleep

Your body needs 8 hours of sleep daily to feel rejuvenated the next day. Remember that, despite today’s hectic lifestyles, sleep isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity. You can’t wake up exhausted every day and still hope to live longer. Give your body the rest it needs to prepare for a busy tomorrow. You can’t sacrifice your well-being by staying up late every night.

Conclusion

Statistics indicate that a newborn in America has an average lifespan of about 76 years. However, some countries, such as Hong Kong, have average lifespans exceeding 85 years. So, what’s the secret behind prolonging your lifespan? You can live longer by sleeping regularly, exercising punctually, drinking water, eating nutritious meals, and avoiding drinking/smoking. Don’t skip your doctor’s appointment; you need annual checkups to avoid rare diseases such as mesothelioma and prolong your lifespan.