I’ve been fortunate enough to spend years of my life with some of the most beautiful people in the world, and even more fortunate to have grown up around a very special kind of person. So here are seven tips that may help you live longer and healthier.
1. Be sure it’s not just about time
I love this one because there’s so much value in just being grateful for what we have. Most people who think they need to be getting older don’t realize how lucky they are that they can enjoy their youth all year round. But everyone has those days when you feel just like giving your everything until the end of the day before you go to bed. This is when you can really appreciate what you have and take care of yourself.
2. Make a promise to yourself to drink water
I wish there was an easy way to make a water filtration system at home, but sadly nobody else has made that a reality yet. However, there are many other ways to do it if you have access to electricity that has running water. Just think about it for a second and try to be as helpful as possible by making a “water filtration” system at your place. It will give you something to look forward to each morning and a few more moments of pleasure than you have experienced this morning. Also, try to stay hydrated! Even though you might have trouble staying hydrated when you have a headache, try to keep things steady and remember never to forget to drink water throughout the day. You never know when you might need some extra fluid in the first place. That’s right, our bodies are wired to get more fluid when we don’t drink enough water.
3. Stop using drugs and alcohol
I know that I have always enjoyed drinking, but sometimes I find myself reaching for a bottle of wine just to have a few drinks and then head to bed. Don’t. If you have an alcoholic friend who always has another glass of beer after dinner, start watching TV or reading a book with them to keep them company. In order to stop taking alcohol and drugs, you have to really understand what you are doing to lose the weight or gain it. By taking them all out of your diet and slowly, slowly, learn to control your craving, you won’t have to reach for a bottle again. On the other hand if you can’t resist any temptation to use drugs, then you will never have to worry about losing the weight.
4. Exercise regularly
I think we should all be working out every day to prevent premature deaths caused by sedentary lifestyles. I’ve talked once about exercise being one of the easiest weapons against aging and disease. Your muscles burn calories and fat from the sun during the day and the movement helps burn that energy. During the evening though, your body burns calories and fat, even if you are sitting still. Exercising daily can also benefit your circulation when you are at home sitting on the couch, since exercising your heart pumps blood through your veins. The cardiovascular system will thank you for it often if you sit down and enjoy some good old fashioned reading instead of looking at a computer screen. At least now you can do something active while it’s nice to have a cup or two of coffee.
5. Get enough sleep
Everyone needs sleep. We are told that our lives are short, but the truth is our lives are abundant. There are plenty of reasons to want to sleep more than seven hours a night. No matter how tired you are, remember you are getting a little more done by sleeping well. Since it is the first thing you think when you wake up, the sooner you get going and the better. Maybe too little or too much sleep will make you feel like crap, and that’s okay. Remember to keep going. It is important not to give up. When I didn’t sleep last night, the next thing I did was call my mom and say I needed three more hours. My mother immediately said, “no baby, you’re going to fall into my lap, you’re going to need me.” Those same words came true for me today. I knew I would be there until I fell asleep and that it would be a great feeling to finally stop that constant snoozing. What a great feeling that is when your mind stops trying to run the clock.
6. Take your vitamins as well as you can
I am not talking about adding supplements of anything to your diet. Yes, I’m saying that vitamins and minerals are absolutely necessary, but let’s talk in terms of taking enough of the essential ones. Vitamin C is especially wonderful for boosting energy levels because it boosts the production of enzymes that help with energy conversion into ATP and NADH by turning ordinary sugar into rocket fuel, which is required for nerve, muscle, and immune function. Another nutrient called Niacin is also fantastic, in part because it makes protein more effective for building lean mass as well as helping the thyroid produce hormones and releasing stored fat. Vitamin E is useful because it helps neutralize free radicals that cause oxidative damage by slowing their growth rate but don’t kill them, thus protecting you against cancer and other diseases of the body. Many people forget just how important these kinds of nutrients and others are. They all work together. Don’t underestimate the importance of taking your vitamins and keeping track of how many you take, especially if you don’t exercise often or follow any healthy eating habits.
7. Go easy with alcohol
I am a huge fan of tequila. It gives me a sense of adventure and even if I hadn’t spent years drinking spirits with a group of friends, I still wouldn’t have been happy. Tequila is easily found everywhere, but it is especially difficult to obtain when it comes to choosing the right brand. Here are a few options: Grey Goose, Absolut, Blanco, Malibu Rum, Jose Cuervo, Jermann Margarita. When you are buying the right brand, try avoiding brands with lots of additives and preservatives or overly sweetened products such as M&Ms, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, PBR cereals, and Oreos. You don’t want anything sugary in there. Instead, try to choose a brand whose name is familiar and likeable and is easy to pronounce. Try to pick something that isn’t overpriced but is low and cheap enough to fit in between the cost of ingredients to create a great tasting experience.
I’ve had a lot of fun exploring all of these different tastes and tastes since I started having my own business in 2012. All those flavors seem to taste amazing. Have fun experimenting together! Enjoy the process, and you will have a long and happy life together.
