Do You Know The Most Important Thing You Can Do To Live Longer?

The Most Important Thing You Can Do To Live Longer

For some this 'thing' is an easy part of their lifestyle. For others this is a dirty word not to be uttered.

When you read further, the answer will be obvious but I find that sometimes knowing the science and evidence behind certain statements can go a long way to help motivation.

The key and most important thing that you can be doing daily to live a longer life is, yes folks I am about to say it....exercise.

Studies show that exercise not only increases the amount of years someone will live, but also enhances how good those years actually are.

This is something that when we are feeling lazy on our couches that we must bring to the front of our minds.

Do YOU want independence when you age? Do you want to be able to cook your own meals? Do you want to be able to weed your own garden? Do you want to be able to chase your grand kids around the yard?

This is NOT something that is only available for the young.

A healthy life is one that you are enjoy the things you are doing because you feel good, not tired.

There is a funny thing about energy in that the more energy we USE the more energy we HAVE? It seems like it would be the opposite right? That if we go out for that hour walk, that we would be more tired after because we used up our energy? This is not the case though. Ask anyone who exercises? The more you exercise the more energy you have?

The movement and circulation active all sorts of chemicals in your body and mind that create a sense of youth and well being.

How much do you have to exercise?

If exercise is not something that comes easy to you, then the thought of training for a marathon or even joining a 1 hour Zumba class might feel like climbing Mt. Everest.

Here is the good news: science is showing that the simple act of moving around between times of sitting is equally as helpful for enhancing your quality of life, as those out here training for Iron Man.

Intermittent movement is like this:

You are sitting at your computer working, and a page is taking a long time to load. What do you do?

Stand up! Turn in a circle, sit back down.

Even better is if you can find an activity that you truly like to do. Of course there are dozens of fitness classes, mountains to climb, and events to take part in, but if all of these things turn you off, then what is left?

Here is my list of top exercises that will increase your length and quality of life:

1. Dancing. In the living room, in the shower, in your back yard. The best investment you can make is an ipod or cheaper still, an old boom box to play the tunes that make you dance. Forget about who is watching or if you look like a crazy person, and dance! The movement is amazing for your body and mind.

2. Walking a dog or cat. It doesn't even have to be your own dog! The one thing I have found is that we are always so much better at making sure that OTHERS are getting their fresh air and exercise, and we often forget about yourself. Having a pet that you have to take out to use the bathroom will go miles for your own physical fitness.

3. Walking at the local Farmer's Market. Of course you can walk anywhere, but the idea is just to get up and walk places. Walk once or twice day, find a staircase that becomes part of your routine, but whatever you do, just walk.

4. Gardening. This is a wonderful place to get your exercise, because you are bending and lifting and moving things around and also in fresh air and nature, which are also key to an enhanced quality of life.

5. Yoga. Here is the best way to learn, in my opinion. In the phone book or on your computer find a local yoga class and look for a beginners class. Go to 3-5 classes with a teacher that you like (this is key! and remember there are lots of teachers so find one that you like the feel of), and learn the basics so you are doing it right. Now you can either keep going, or just buy a mat and doing it in your living room with some yoga inspiring music like Wah!, Krishna Das or MC Yogi.

Final Thoughts

Whatever it is that calls to you, just be sure that you are moving. If you don't use it you lose it, so the saying goes.

Exercise does all these things:

Decreases risk of heart attack,

Decreases risk of mental disorders,

Decreases depression,

Decreases risk of diabetes,

Helps diabetics to manage symptoms,

Increases with loss,

Increases memory,

Increases happiness.

What do YOU do for exercise?

With love,

Grandmother's Kitchen