Winning and varied inspirations to help us live long and healthy lives.
Here are the highlights of an account of the habits of people in countries where life expectancy is above average. Health is a state of physical, mental, and social well-being, and its success in aging depends as much on lifestyle and relationships as on our attitude toward life.
The commonality that centenarians generally have is being able to count on a circle of friends, family, the clan that fuels joy, offers support and a reason to live. Thus, slowing down at mealtimes, appreciating and giving back one's time have beneficial effects on longevity. According to a Japanese study, it is also more difficult to gain weight when one eats slowly. Counting on social support offers a better chance of being healthy . Moreover, families who gather around the table at mealtimes see their children with a lower risk of developing obesity.
If we look at the foods that are loved in places where it is good to live in old age, we can retain four inspirations:
- Consume foods rich in Omega-3 : we realize that the preferred fish are fatty and small: sardines and herring, rich in Omega-3, tend to contain fewer contaminants than larger fish.
Note: some algae also produce Omega-3 derivatives, but their consumption remains low in our populations... but not in my kitchen!
-Choose your food in general , such as olive oil: for it to be healthy, in addition to the first cold-pressed aspect, it is also advisable to choose those bottled locally (then indicated on the label and a guarantee of a certain quality) in a dark glass (since light and heat can otherwise harm it).
- Add turmeric . This magical ingredient of Indian cuisine is composed of curcumin, which has anti-inflammatory and protective properties. The presence of pepper increases its bioavailability. Sprinkling 1 teaspoon of turmeric a day on our food (soup, rice, vegetables) with pepper is a winner. Researchers believe that it could play an important role in the impressive gap between the rates of certain cancers in India compared to Western countries.
- Follow the longevity-promoting Okinawan diet . This Japanese island has an impressive number of centenarians. What do they eat? Fish and vegetables rich in antioxidants. In general, by consuming antioxidant "bombs," we are sure to please our body, slow its aging, strengthen the immune system, and protect it in its fight against certain diseases.
Here are the inspirations noted by Dr. Deepak Chopra :
One in 10,000 individuals lives past the age of 100. Sociologists mention that dispositions toward freedom , independence, and tendencies to avoid constraints generally characterize their personality. Freedom also rhymes with the absence of obsessions. In other words, they have a superior capacity for adaptation, they face difficult situations better than others, they do not spend their lives feeling sorry for themselves, they are not as attached to possessions, and they are only temporarily affected by bad news to continue their lives, their momentum.
Some scientists also claim that the latter manifest a relatively quiet life, an absence of great ambitions, and a strong will to live.
The majority of these long-lived people escaped illness (cancer, heart attack) in the critical period from 45 to 65 when unfavorable genes, stress, tobacco and alcohol take their toll.
These subjects love life, humor, appreciate simple pleasures, and know how to recognize beauty. Life is an adventure that they approach optimistically by living in the present (rather than worrying about what it might become).
In terms of physical activities, the subjects had good muscle tone and were active, but they had very little organized physical activity (gym or other). However, they danced, gardened, hiked, and engaged in other free activities.
Here's another very interesting fact summarized by a prominent British cardiologist regarding lifestyle. If the implementation of new lifestyle habits (e.g., diet, gym, etc.) causes stress, the damage may be greater than the desired benefits of these new habits. It's good to adopt good habits, but naturally and gradually, without stress. A sense of freedom is vital to reaching a fulfilling old age. Loss of autonomy (too many external influences and pressures) is harmful.
In conclusion, fear is not a good motivator because it causes stress. A large part of cholesterol is produced by our body; stress and fear can be more harmful than a cholesterol-free diet! Hence the importance of associating pleasure with our habits and loving them!
I really enjoyed these readings because they reaffirm my position regarding menus, for example: relying on winning substitutions without imposed quantities, on the contrary. Not talking about abstinence or deprivation, but about good foods enjoyed combined with a life filled with passions and a choice of rewarding activities that bring benefits and are naturally integrated into our daily lives.
Contrary to popular myth, age is not just a matter of wear and tear. Aging well is a matter of attitude and adaptability, of course, but you still have to make it look good!!! We want to go far, but while enjoying the characteristics of being alive.
Ideas Bazaar :
- If you are lucky enough to come across an infrared sauna (Spa Eastman or Lucie Blouin's center in Montreal) or to buy one, treat yourself to 40-minute sessions and you will always feel rejuvenated and revitalized: the heat you feel is dry, easy to tolerate (I do my reading there!) and warms us at the cellular level (the technology is very safe, used in hospitals to keep babies warm and in health institutes to detoxify systems of metals, among other things).
- Beauty tip: forgive
- Not to define age or the limits of our nature: we do not necessarily want to look young, but to breathe health, the joy of living!
- Manage our energy rather than our schedule: engage in activities that give us energy, not the other way around.
- And breathe deeply to stay in peace and gratitude, a good habit for a winning attitude!
- Cultivate curiosity and the desire to discover, maintain a positive attitude, appreciate the strength of the mind.
- Listen to yourself and live in harmony with nature and our environment
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