9 HABITS TO INCREASE LIFE EXPECTANCY

Wake up, work out, eat, hustle, relax and repeat. Sometimes life seems like it is too fast to keep up with. It can be all-encompassing, wrapping us up, giving us tunnel vision, and to an extent, numbing us of what is really important. Every once in awhile this fast-paced life stops us right in our tracks and gives us a reminder of what is truly important. These 9 habits to increase life expectancy can change your life for the better.

When it comes down to what matters most it’s not money, it’s not things, it’s our health and the time we have with the loved ones that surround us. As a society, we took a wrong turn somewhere and as a result, we have seen a rise in many health disorders. It seems like our society has become OK with things that used to be unheard of in our grandparent’s day. Knee and hip replacements, depression, joint pain, and all the other things that plague people today. I hear people talking about getting their knees done like it is normal. It’s not! I am 64 and still have my knees and hips and they work just fine. I use to have joint pain that was linked to leaky gut due to an unhealthy digestive system and a poorly functioning ileocecal valve, but instead of taking drugs I changed the foods I ate. I also eat the supplements I recommend, do some light weights and walk as much as I can. The good news, many of these can be prevented with daily choices, we just have to make them!

There are pockets throughout the world called Blue Zones, one right here in America, with the highest healthy life expectancy, where the highest number of people are reaching age 100. What are they doing that mainstream America isn’t? A man named Dan Buettner teamed up with National Geographic to find out. Together they identified five locations: Barbagia region of Sardinia, Ikaria Greece, Nicoya Peninsula Costa Rica, Loma Linda California, and Okinawa Japan. They then studied the culture and environment and developed a list of best practices called The Power of 9.

So what is it that we may be missing? Let’s have a look at the Power of 9.

1. Move Naturally: If you are someone who works out often, hits the gym or trains for triathlons you may find this one surprising. The healthiest people aren’t doing any of that; they are simply incorporating natural movement into their daily lives without thinking about it. We are talking about kneading bread, working in the garden, and working around the house.
2. Purpose: Do you know why you wake up in the morning? What your purpose is? If you don’t, you might start trying to figure it out as it could add up to seven years to your life. The healthiest people wake up every day and know exactly why they are here.
3. Down Shift: Do you experience stress in your life? Of course, you do! We all experience stress, it’s part of life. The key is taking the time to downshift and shed stress. Each culture does this in their own way; it could be through praying, meditating or enjoying happy hour with some friends, do whatever works best for you.
4. 80% Rule: No, we are not talking about the famous 80/20 rule here. We are talking about your stomach. The longest living people are mindfully eating until they are 80% full.
5. Plant Slant: This one is exactly what it sounds like, keep a plant slanted diet. Enjoy an abundance of fruits, vegetables, beans, and lentils. Keep the meat to a minimum. The typical Blue Zone enjoys meat about five times a month.
6. Wine @ 5: If drinking is not for you, simply skip this one. Those in the Blue Zones enjoy drinking regularly but moderately. We are talking about a glass of wine a day. The trick here is to enjoy your drink with some good friends.
7. Belong: A majority of the longest living people all belong to some type of faith-based community.
8. Loved Ones First: This one is just as it sounds, put your family first. Take care of your aging parents and invest time and love in your children.
9. Right Tribe: We are talking about social circles here. Do your five best friends consider a good time watching movies and eating pizza or getting outdoors for a long hike and a picnic? Both healthy and unhealthy habits are contagious, choose your friends wisely.
10. I added one. Add our supplements to your day!

It’s likely you’ve heard this phrase many times—“prevention is always better than cure”. Let us embrace it! Of course, living to age 100 is not guaranteed. We hope these tips help you live a longer, healthier, happier life. Here at New Earth, we call it living the #NewEarthLife!