Simple Things That Help You Live Longer
By Sara Butler
Most people have a goal of living the longest and healthiest life they can. But longevity is about more than just a goal -- it’s about action. There are simple things you can do each day that may help to increase your longevity and health. Here are just a few.
Floss
Yes, flossing can do much more than just make your dental hygienist happy at your next checkup. In fact, flossing your teeth is a great way to keep your arteries healthy. It’s true!
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have found that the bacteria that causes periodontal disease can also trigger an inflammatory reaction in your arteries, causing them to swell, which leads to restricted blood flow. Ultimately, that can mean an increased chance of developing heart disease or having a stroke. Daily flossing can add over six years to the average person’s life!
Be Social
Maintaining relationships is important at every stage of life, but especially as you get older. Research has shown that people with poor social connections have a higher risk of death than those with more solid social connections. In fact, staying social has been found by researchers at Brigham Young University to add a little over seven years to the average lifespan. So, go ahead, join that euchre club!
Live Near Greenery
Living in and around nature can also have a big impact on our lifespan. That doesn’t mean you have to live out in the middle of nowhere because green spaces in the city will have the same effect, according to researchers at Harvard. Studies have shown that women living around or in green spaces had a 12 percent reduction in mortality rates overall.
Keep Your House Clean
Cleanliness is next to live-longliness! Regularly mopping, dusting, and vacuuming can help you live longer, probably because it helps you to get regular exercise (yes, cleaning counts!). The British Journal of Sports Medicine found that in adults over 60, daily activities such as cleaning reduced mortality rates from heart attack and stroke by almost 30 percent. If cleaning doesn’t do it for you, consider regularly washing your car, working in your garden, or just walking around your neighborhood. Being active is one of the keys to a long and healthy life!
Live a long and happy life by making sure to care for yourself!
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Sterling, Va.