by Mary Marino
How we age is about 30% genetics. The rest is in our hands. It’s never too late to start to reverse the main things that cause aging– overeating, over stressing, and under-activity. We put together the 10 best tips we could find for taking control of the physical aspects of creating a longer healthier life.
- Laugh. Laughter lowers levels of stress hormones, and boosts activity of the body’s natural defensive antibodies. Studies show that people with a sense of humor have a 31% longer survival rate.
- Sleep enough but not too much. Both too much and too little sleep can have a negative impact on longevity. Six-to-8 hours is optimal. People who get more than 8 hours or less than 4 have a significantly higher death rate. See: Smart Snoozers
- Cancer-proof your diet. The American Institute for Cancer Research findings show that about 40% of cancers are diet related. See: Live Long Eat Super Foods
- Exercise. Fit women have a 40% less chance of developing heart disease. The Cooper Institute of Aerobic Research’s studies show that people in the lower 20% of fitness were 3 times more likely to die prematurely than the fittest group.
- Floss. People with gum disease have an increased risk of heart disease and a higher mortality rate.
- Take vitamins. Even the best diet needs some supplements. Dr. Michael Roizen, co-author of YOU: Staying Young, says the minimum should include a multi-vitamin, 600 milligrams of DHA/omega 3, 1000 IU Vitamin D, 600 Milligrams Calcium, and 200 milligrams magnesium. (NOTE: Look for whole food vitamins, not synthetic. It should say ‘whole food based’ right on the label.)
- Work toward your ideal weight. Overeating is one of the main causes of aging and increases the risk of heart disease and cancer. Every 10% increase in weight raises blood pressure, one of the major factors affecting aging. Studies show that reducing daily caloric intake by 10-to-20% is linked to longevity.
- Get regular check-ups. Have a PAP smear. Examine your breasts. Nine-out-of-ten breast lumps are benign, and most are found by women who regularly examine themselves. Most breast cancers are curable if they’re caught early enough.
- Eat dark chocolate. It contains phenols, chemicals thought to protect against heart disease and cancer. Studies show that people who eat a moderate amount of chocolate live longer than those who never touch sweets.
- Drink tea. Both green and black teas contain powerful antioxidants. A Harvard study found that one cup a day cuts heart attack risk dramatically. Other tests have found that drinking tea boosts the survival rate following a heart attack by 28%.
Hot Flashes and Fashion Are NOT Mutually Exclusive! Style is ageless.
Mary Marino is a fashion journalist, clothing designer and style lover. For 25 years she has been identifying trends and giving them commercially viability for the fashion industry. In her 40s’ her love of fashions evolved into a pursuit of a life of style and substance.
Mary is the co-creator of Flashionista (http://flashionista.com/) , a voice for interpreting popular culture as it relates to modern boomer women staying healthy, fit, fabulous, and relevant. A Flashionista is a woman over 45 who loves style and fashion.
For more information about Flashionista.com, to sign-up, and to see what’s important to women over 45, visit http://flashionista.com/ Topics include Lifestyle, Fashion, Health, Connect, Reinvent, Be Happy, every modern boomer woman needs a strong combination of all of the above to stay current in a changing world.
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