Taking the time to feel gratitude may improve your emotional well-being by helping you cope with stress. Early research suggests that a daily practice of gratitude could affect the body, too. For example, one study found that gratitude was linked to fewer signs of heart disease. The first step in any gratitude practice is to reflect on the good things that have happened in your life. These can be big or little things. It can be as simple as scoring a good parking space that day or enjoying a hot mug of coffee. Or, perhaps you feel grateful for a close friend’s compassionate support. Next, allow yourself a moment to enjoy that you had the positive experience, no matter what negatives may exist in your life. Let positive feelings of gratitude bubble up. . . . Practicing gratitude is part of a set of skills that her research team encourages people to practice. These skills have been shown to help some people increase their positive emotions.
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Healthy Living ~ Loving My Coffee
Health benefits associated with coffee consumption
Researchers have found a myriad of instances when a coffee habit may have some protective health benefits. Aside from the caffeine giving you an early-morning energy buzz, [coffee’s] high levels of antioxidants can help protect your body from damage caused by free radicals, as well as fight off disease. The list of potential diseases and conditions that are less common in coffee drinkers is long. Caffeinated coffee is associated with lowering the risks for certain cancers and liver disease. . . . Daily consumption of three cups of coffee, whether caffeinated or decaffeinated, was associated with a 17 lower risk for all-cause mortality compared to no coffee intake. Caffeinated coffee also conveyed lower risks for cardiovascular disease and stroke with the highest benefits being seen in those consuming between three to five cups per day.
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Healthy Living ~ Ditch the Inflammation
Eat This
In addition to cutting down on inflammatory foods, you can reduce inflammation by eating whole, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant-rich foods.
Eat plenty of these anti-inflammatory foods:
Brightly colored vegetables like dark green, red, orange and yellow
Fruits, especially berries, tart cherries and grapes
Avocados, olives, olive oil and avocado oil
Whole grains and high-fiber carbohydrates
Omega-3 fatty fish like salmon, tuna, sardines and mackerel
Nuts and seeds
Beans and legumes
Dark chocolate (85 percent cacao is best)
Green and white tea (black also has some antioxidants)
Red wine (in moderation)
Spices like ginger, turmeric, cayenne pepper and cinnamon
In addition to a healthy diet, be active, get enough sleep, drink plenty of water and find ways to lower your stress levels. The good news is that the things you can do to reduce inflammation also improve your overall health, so it’s a win-win! Source
Longevity Tip ~ It’s Never Too Late To Start
Keeping fit actually does wonders for your brain. Exercise helps lower stress, regulates your blood sugar and improves blood flow. . . . British nonagenarian, Charles Eugster, says he only took up exercise in his 80s but now runs competitively. He works out at least three times a week, doing weights, running and rowing, which has resulted in what he likes to call his “beach body.”
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Longevity Tip ~ It’s a Head Game
A big part of aging really is all in your head. As cliche as it may sound, nonagenarians prove you are only as old as you feel. A positive mindset can help you manage stress, which in turn can protect your health. “I’ve been active all my life. I spend no time thinking what I can’t do … When you wake up in the morning, know that it’s going to be the best day of your life,” Porchon-Lynch said last year. The oldest serving nurse in the U.S. is also in her 90s and still is pursuing her passion by helping people, which she says has brought her lifelong joy.
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Longevity Tip ~ Wisdom From Those Pushing the Edge of the Envelop
The world’s oldest yoga teacher is still doing her sun salutations at 97 and she says maintaining healthy eating habits has been important. Tao Porchon-Lynch said portion size helps her manage her weight. “Most people overeat and put too much food on their plate. Pause a moment to think about how many people are without food, and you won’t eat so much,” she said in an interview last year. Senior athlete Fred Winter who’s still doing 100 push-ups everyday follows elements of the Mediterranean Diet trying to eat blueberries and salmon every single week. The diet, which is rich in age-fighting compounds like anti-oxidants and heart-healthy omega-3s, has been shown in studies to stave off certain diseases and even help one live longer, by protecting DNA against damage.
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Longevity Tip ~ 3 Cheers for Frequent Sex
Seriously. Lie back and think about this one. A 1997 study of over 900 men aged 45-59 found that men who reported more frequent orgasms (at least twice a week) had a 50 percent lower risk of death from coronary heart disease than their less-frequently orgasming (less than once a month) counterparts. The researchers say the findings can’t exactly prove a causal relationship, but they did say there was “evidence of a dose-response relation across the groups.” Other studies have shown women who have more frequent orgasms during intercourse are more likely to live longer than those who don’t. Researchers say it could be because a happy and healthy sex life can contribute to a happy and healthy relationship, which in turn can have a positive effect on your health.
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Longevity Tip ~ Enjoy Life
Indulge … in moderation.
Diet and exercise are good, but hey, you’ve got to live a little. Centenarians seem to have found a balance between taking care of their health and learning when to indulge a bit. Whether it’s a glass of wine, a bowl of your favorite ice cream, a strong cup of coffee or Dr. Pepper, it’s all about striking a balance between giving yourself all that you need and a taste of what you want. Just don’t go overboard.
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Longevity Tip ~ Get Up & Get Going
Keep your mind and body active.
Living 100 years means lots of time on your hands, which means one must learn to fill up the hours in the day with meaningful, engaging or at least productive activities. One retirement community in Rhode Island is home to a whopping six centenarians. Several of them have one thing in common — they keep themselves busy. They’re exercising daily, whether it’s going for brisk walks in the fresh air or diligently hitting the indoor gym. Others swear by hobbies like reading — all things which keep their bodies and minds in motion. And they all stay social.
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