3. Stop Avoiding the Doctor
Even if it appears that cancer does not run in your family, you cannot rely on genetics alone to ensure your longevity. If you feel there is something wrong, even if you feel fine, take charge of your health and get regular screenings done. Yes, they take some time, but when caught early, many diseases can be reversed or treated. How many times have you known or heard about someone who died needlessly simply because they didn’t go to the doctor until “it was too late”?
Early detection ensures that you will have more options, better treatment, and faster recovery rates. It is also less expensive in most cases. Stop putting it off!
4. Stop Your Love Affair with the TV
Lack of physical activity is perhaps one of the biggest factors that can affect your longevity. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition published a study earlier in 2015 which found that a lack of activity is associated with an increased risk of early death, regardless of what a person might weigh! Exercise improves your immune system, improves both the cardio and respiratory systems, slows the loss of muscle mass, increases bone density, improves digestion and sleep, as well as prevents depression. No matter how busy you are, you can find 30 minutes each day to get up and move around. Even if it is only 10 minutes at a time, three times each day. This has been shown to be beneficial.
Anything at all beats sitting on your butt watching those Game of Thrones reruns. Take the dog for a walk, go play with your kids, get up and dance in the kitchen, do anything, as long as it gets you off your behind!
5. Stop with the Negative Thoughts
Most of us have a little tape in our heads that plays the same few messages over and over, all day long. These messages were programmed into us at some point during our lives and they can be very damaging or they can be positively affirming. Negative self-talk includes things like:
- I can’t do anything right
- I’m fat and ugly
- I’m so clumsy
- I’m so stupid
These types of thoughts lead to feelings of anger, frustration, anxiety, depression, and irritability. They can also lead to overeating, insomnia, anorexia or bulimia. It can be very difficult to change this “tape” in your head, but it can be done. Next time you find yourself thinking something negative, replace it with something positive, then repeat that positive thought three or four times. For example; if you think “I can’t do anything right”, stop and say to yourself “I might make mistakes but I do plenty of things really well.” Repeat the end of that phrase “I do plenty of things really well” several times. It takes time, but you can change that negative tape for a more positive tape.
When you feel better about yourself you increase productivity, which will reduce stress, which can lead to a longer (and happier) life. Laugh often and surround yourself with positive people.
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