Lessons from The Blue Zones!

You may have heard the term “superagers” you know folks who live well into
their 90’s and 100’s without any serious health concerns.

And if you think becoming a superager involves being a strict vegetarian,
exercising for hours on end or drinking tons of water, you’re wrong.

Listed below are some simple steps you can take, to help you get an extra
5 or 10 years out of life.

a) Take Notes-
Superagers experience less stress and one way they remove stress from their
lives is through writing.
Write down 3 things you’re grateful for each day, no matter how small.
This simple task tames longevity-hampering stress and could add an extra
10 years to your life. Plus, writing 3 things keeps your blood pressure in check
and strengthens your immune system.
Important tip:
If you’re not one who likes to write, reading a chapter from your favorite book
or magazine will also dial down stress.

b) Keep a Circle of Friends-
You may have heard all about the benefits of keeping a close knit circle of friends
or family nearby, but it needs to be repeated. Socializing for an hour or two
each week triggers the release of mood-boosting oxytocin,
which slows the aging of vital cells in your body.
Researchers say this tip alone may be more effective than dropping weight or
even cutting out smoking.
Unable to see friends or family?
Look into interacting over the internet, this too, will help you get the closeness
and love you need and help increase your life span.

c) Say No To The-
Gym!
Superagers who live in countries where they have to walk have no need to
go to gyms. Moving a little bit is called “invisible exercise” and
these superagers do it everyday. You can become an invisible exerciser by
parking your car a few spots from the entrance to the store or library.
Being active for just 2 mins. each hour reduces your risk of early aging
by 30% by releasing anti-aging hormones.
Two more tips:
Buy a pedometer and track how many steps you take each day.
Also look into gardening, whether it be a few plants inside the home or
a small vegetable or flower garden in the backyard.
Researchers who studied superagers found out that many tended gardens
or had a number of plants inside their homes.

d) Seinfeld or I Love Lucy-
Another tip you may have heard or are currently practicing, laugh more
and you can easily add seven more years to your life.
Smiling and laughing help tame the stress hormone known as cortisol.
So, go to youtube.com and type in Rodney Dangerfield or Steven Wright
specials or just watch Andy Griffith or Seinfeld reruns on television.

e) Coffee or Wine-
A number of subjects studied in Italy, France, Greece and South American
countries love their coffee and wine and if you enjoy a cup of coffee
in the morning and a glass of wine at night, continue to do it.
People who drink either one or both beverages have a much lower rate
of Alzheimer’s and dementia.
Wine works by boosting nutrient-rich blood flow to the brain and improves
the body’s system for flushing memory-hampering plaque buildup
from the brain. And the coffee, it contains caffeine and antioxidants, which
help shield against unhealthy accumulations of dangerous plaque.

f) The Two Foods-
Again, researchers have found that a lot of superagers in certain
countries eat a lot of the same foods.
The Foods:
Olive oil
Fish
Vegetables
Nuts
Beans
Fruit
As for the olive oil: It helps lower your risk of heart disease by 45%.
It (olive oil) contains healthy fats and antioxidants that raise “good”
HDL cholesterol while lowering “bad” LDL cholesterol to protect against
hardened arteries.
And the nuts: Like olive oil, it helps you ward off heart disease, giving
you and extra year or two of life.

Good Luck, Good Eating and Good Health!

Sources:
* Brigham-Young University
* UCLA Research Dept.
* Loma Linda University, Research Dept.
* Journal of Clinical Nutrition
* The Blue Zones, Book by Dan Buettner
* Wayne State University in Detroit Mich.
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