2. DRINK UP!
Water and wine say the experts! The recommended daily
quantity of water is 8 glasses and yes one can drink
too much water! Believe it or not in South Africa where
our drinking water is considered to be of high quality
– tap water is still considered to be best. On
a friendlier note if you enjoy wine - a glass or two
of the good stuff has a positive impact on ones’
health. Wine in moderation is good for the heart, helps
prevent blood clots and assists in boosting levels of
good cholesterol. For those who enjoy a drink but don’t
enjoy wine - a beer, whiskey or after dinner cognac
is just the tonic the doctor ordered.
| "A bottle of wine contains
more philosophy than all the books in the world"
- Louis Pasteur |
3. WORK OUT!
Well after all that eating and drinking what can one
say - time to get the bod moving! Research done by the
Immanuel Medical Centre in Nebraska has proven that
too much TV ages one! Sitting watching TV every day
causes the muscles to sag and further research has proven
that there is a direct link between ‘TV addiction’
and middle age spread! So what kind of exercise should
one be doing? Anything that gets the heart working and
strength training. Running, walking, cycling, swimming
and golf are considered best together with some form
of weight/strength training. Preferably 3 to 4 times
per week.
| "Whenever I feel like
exercising I lie down until the feeling passes"
- Robert Hutchins |
4. GOING UP IN SMOKE!
Research at Helsinki University has proven that people
who have never smoked can add 10 years to their life.
Not only does smoking decrease one’s life expectancy
– other than the sun – it is the most aging
of all behaviours and will add between 5-10 years onto
your face. Cigarettes contain approximately 4000 chemicals
including arsenic, DDT and formaldehyde. Nicotine also
aggravates hardening of the arteries which is why most
smokers are twice as likely to have strokes, heart disease
and are more susceptible to allergies, chest infections,
bronchitis and cancer. There is however good news! If
you stop smoking, a year after you’ve taken your
last drag, your risk of heart disease is cut by half.
After 3 years of no smoking your risk has decreased
to almost the same as someone who has never smoked.
By the way just because you smoke less than 10 cigarettes
a day doesn’t in any way decrease your risk.
| "Smoking is the great
romance of my lifetime. If I could find someone
I wanted
45 times a day perhaps I would stop!" - Fran
Lebowitz |
5. RISK IT!
Jasper Hunt, Professor of Experiential Education and
Leadership studies at a US State University says that
trying to escape risk and challenges is like to trying
to escape living. The desire for overwhelming safety
and security and not allowing oneself to be challenged
causes the soul to stagnate. Hunt says choose to live
a little more adventurously or die emotionally. The
challenges keep us young. Food for thought!
| "If one never took
risks Michelangelo would have painted the Sistine
floor" - Neil Simon |
6. BE ALTRUISTIC!
Allan Luks in his book the The Healing Power of Doing
Good says that regular doses of altruism relieves stress
and improves overall health. When we give to others
we feel more inspired, more stimulated and less likely
to focus on negativity in our own lives. This in turn
boosts the feel good factor which in turn assists in
reducing the aging process. Selfish and mean people
age faster – woo hoo – so there is karma!
| "What I kept, I lost.
What I spent I had. What I gave I have" -
Persian Proverb |
7. THE HUMAN TOUCH!
Touch is not only of physical but of psychological benefit
too. Touch releases a chemical called oxytocin which
promotes calmness and responsiveness. An increase in
oxytocin also makes one feel more capable of coping
with life’s challenges. There are 2 ways to assist
in releasing quantities of oxytocin and that is through
massage and sex. Regular massages not only relax one
but also improve blood circulation and boost the lymphatic
toxin drainage functions. Interestingly having pets
serves a similar function. Touching and stroking an
animal is calming and relaxing and also creates a feel
good factor. Regular sex is not only great physical
exercise but also enhances mental and physical well
being and keeps one young.
| "My wife and I always
hold hands. If I let go she shops" - Henry
Youngman |
In conclusion...the evidence is all
there. If one can change one’s behaviours one
can increase one’s life expectancy as well as
grow older with grace, energy and looks! Stress management,
identifying and knowing one’s values, making ‘me
time’, adopting an attitude of gratitude, having
good friends and laughter are also other behaviours
one can implement to look forward to that dance on the
table! So what’s to stop you other than yourself!
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