Bryan Johnson, a successful tech entrepreneur, wakes up every day at 4.30 am, eats all his meals before 11 am, and goes to bed at 8.30 pm. During his waking hours, he takes more than 100 pills and engages in various activities including bathing in LED light or sitting on an electromagnetic plate to strengthen his pelvic floor muscles.
He does all of this, and more, in an attempt to halt the ageing process, and according to the Guardian, spends £1.6 million every year on his quest for longevity. Johnson is also constantly monitored by a team of scientists who review the latest research, finding new ways to potentially lengthen his life.
But is all this strictly necessary or are there simpler ways to stay fit and healthy? If you want to improve your longevity, read on to learn five wellbeing tips that could help you live healthier for longer.
- Take a daily walk
There are many aspects of your lifestyle to consider if you want to remain healthy. A daily walk is one of the best habits to improve your longevity because it supports several important areas of your health.
Regular exercise helps to manage your weight, reducing your chances of many different health conditions. It also improves your heart health and makes you less prone to strokes or heart attacks, and it can help you maintain strong, supple joints. Exercise supports good mental health too.
Walking is a simple exercise that most people can do, and it is easy to fit into your daily routine.
Additionally, studies show that being outdoors can have significant benefits for your brain health too. According to the American Psychological Association, being exposed to natural environments can improve working memory, cognitive flexibility, and attention.
As such, a regular walk outside in a green space could have a profoundly positive effect on your physical and mental health.
- Try the “longevity diet”
Improving your diet is another key way to be healthier and potentially live longer. However, it can be challenging, as there are lots of different diet plans and the advice often seems to change.
Fortunately, a researcher named Valter Longo aimed to solve this problem by combining much of the latest research in nutrition and biology to create the “longevity diet”.
According to Everyday Health, the diet consists of several rules including:
- Eating a medium to high amount of carbohydrates from non-refined sources including wholegrains, vegetables, and beans
- Eating a small but sufficient amount of protein from plant-based sources
- Taking around 30% of your calories from plant-based fats such as avocados, nuts, and olive oil
- Eating all your meals in a 12-hour window (known as “intermittent fasting”)
- Following a “fasting mimicking diet” two to three times a year. This involves eating a vegan diet and limiting yourself to between 800 and 1100 calories a day.
Following this diet could help you manage your weight and improve your overall health. However, you may want to discuss this with your doctor first to ensure that the diet is suitable for you.
- Practice mindfulness techniques
Excess stress can take a toll on your physical and mental health. While the research is still in the early stages, Everyday Health reports that chronic stress could increase your chances of health problems including:
- Depression and anxiety
- Autoimmune conditions
- Gastrointestinal illness
- The common cold
- Cardiovascular disease
- Cancer.
As such, you may benefit from using mindfulness techniques to manage your stress levels. For example, you could try simple breathing exercises or meditation to help you remain present.
- Socialise regularly
Maintaining an active social life could benefit your mental health and wellbeing. Spending time with friends and family might help you relieve stress and potentially reduce your chances of developing issues such as anxiety or depression. As discussed earlier, reducing your stress levels could also prevent physical health issues, to some extent.
According to Age UK, social interaction may also help to protect against cognitive decline in later life. While the research is limited and the precise effects of socialising on cognitive ability are not yet known, most experts agree that spending time with others supports general health and wellbeing.
You may want to make a concerted effort to stay in touch with friends and family and you could join clubs and organisations to improve your social life.
- See your doctor for regular health checks
Early detection of illness is the key to improving your chances of survival and limiting the effect that conditions have on your life.
For example, Cancer Research UK reports that almost everybody survives breast cancer if doctors catch the disease in the earliest stage. Yet, if it is detected in the latest stage, only around 3 in 10 people survive.
That is why it is important to see your doctor for regular health checks, especially as you get older. Putting off important screenings could mean that you do not identify health issues until later, when you experience more symptoms. As a result, the effects could be much worse.
Get in touch
We can help you improve your financial wellbeing so you can focus on your health and longevity. If you need support then please do get in touch with us at DBL Asset Management.
Email enquiries@dbl-am.com or call 01625 529 499 to speak to us today.
Please note
This blog is for general information only and does not constitute advice. The information is aimed at retail clients only.
