More research is showing that the key
to longevity is what experts call “lifestyle medicine” which simply
means simple
changes in diet, exercise, and stress management. To help people turn that knowledge into results, experts have assembled a manageable list of health and wellness suggestions.
changes in diet, exercise, and stress management. To help people turn that knowledge into results, experts have assembled a manageable list of health and wellness suggestions.
Three experts , a naturopathic
physician, Dr James Rouse, a dietitian, Christina Reiter and a Physical
therapist, Rick Olderman, spoke on the simple but significant
lifestyle-medicine changes they recommend.
Besides giving different takes on how
to pick health battles, this list gives the choices one can make without
buying a second freezer for preserving meals.
Think positive and focus on gratitude
Research shows a healthy positive
attitude helps build a healthier immune system and boosts overall
health. Your body believes what you think, so focus on the positive.
Eat vegetables
Shoot for five servings of vegetables a
day , raw, steamed, or stir-fried. A diet high in vegetables is
associated with a reduced risk of developing cancers of the lung, colon,
breast, cervix, oesophagus, stomach, bladder, pancreas, and ovaries.
And many of the most powerful phytonutrients are the ones with the
boldest colours, such as broccoli, cabbage, carrots, tomatoes, grapes,
and leafy greens.
Set a “5-meal ideal”
What, when, and how much you eat can
keep both your metabolism and your energy levels steadily elevated, so
you’ll have more all-day energy. A “5 meal ideal” will help manage
weight, keep cool, maintain focus, and avoid cravings.
Exercise daily
Did you know that daily exercise can
reduce all of the biomarkers of ageing? This includes improving
eyesight, normalising blood pressure, improving lean muscle, lowering
cholesterol, and improving bone density. If you want to live well and
live longer, you must exercise! Studies show that even 10 minutes of
exercise makes a difference — so, do something! Crank the stereo and
dance in your living room. Sign up for swing dancing or ballroom dancing
lessons. Walk to the park with your kids or a neighbour you’d like to
catch up with. Jump rope or play hopscotch. Spin a hula hoop. Play water
volleyball. Bike to work. Jump on a trampoline. Go for a hike.
Get good night’s sleep
If you have trouble sleeping, try
relaxation techniques such as meditation and yoga. Or eat a small
bedtime snack of foods shown to help shift the body and mind into sleep
mode: whole grain cereal with milk, oatmeal, cherries, or chamomile tea.
Darken the room more and turn the clock away from you. Write down
worries or stressful thoughts to get them out of the head and onto the
page. This will help put them into perspective, so one can quit worrying
about them.
Food attitude
What we eat and how we feel are linked
in very complex ways. A healthy approach to eating is centered on
savouring flavour, eating to satisfaction, and increasing energy, rather
than focusing on weight. Check the balance of low-calorie foods,
nutrient-dense foods (providing many nutrients per calorie), and foods
that are calorie dense but nutrient poor. Most people need to eat more
fresh whole foods in contrast to processed, highly refined foods. Try to
add more whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, and legumes into
your meals. Pair these carbohydrate-rich foods with a healthy fat or
lean protein to extend satisfaction.
Eat like a kid
If adding more fruits and vegetables
sounds ominous, look to “finger food” versions that pre-school kids love
– carrot and celery sticks, cherry tomatoes, broccoli florets, grapes,
berries, and dried fruits. All are nutritional powerhouses packed with
antioxidants.
Be a picky eater
Limit saturated fats and trans fats,
and aim to eat more foods rich in anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids
to cut your risk of cardiovascular disease and maybe even improve
depressed moods. The equivalent of just one gram of EPA/DHA
(eicosapentaenoic acid/docosahexaenoic acid) daily is recommended.
Eating cold-water oily fish (wild salmon, herring, sardines, trout) two
to three times per week will provide both EPA and DHA. Adding up to two
tablespoons of ground flaxseed and eating meat, milk, and cheese from
grass-fed animals will provide a healthy dose of omega-3s.
Take foods instead of supplements
Supplements are not a substitute for a
good diet. Although many health experts recommend taking a multivitamin
and mineral supplement that provides 100 to 200 per cent of your
recommended daily value, each and every supplement should be carefully
evaluated for purity and safety. Specific supplements have been
associated with toxicity, reactions with medications, competition with
other nutrients, and even increased risk of diseases such as cancer,
heart disease, and diabetes.
Get satisfaction
Both eating and physical activity are
fun, sensory experiences! In both, aim for pleasure – not pain. Pay
attention to the nutritional value of the foods to eat, as well as the
sense of satisfaction, relaxation, tension, exhilaration, and fatigue
when eating. Check, while eating, rekindling the recognition of hunger,
fullness, and satisfaction when considering when and how much to eat.
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