Any doctor will tell you that it’s much easier to prevent something than it is to reverse it. As we get older, our bodies may change and our athletic prowess may decline, but when it comes to how to live a longer, healthier life, the steps remain the same—for the most part. A healthy diet and regular activity are at the top of the to-do list, but it doesn’t stop there.
According to a 2018 study, adopting just five simple habits can help you boost your life expectancy by an impressive 12 to 14 years. Wondering how to live longer? Researchers found that never smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, engaging in regular physical activity, eating a healthy diet, and limiting alcohol consumption are the keys to living a longer, healthier life. Below, we’ve compiled health and wellness experts’ top tips to taking on these healthy habits
1. Try Intermittent Fasting
“Create a 12- to 16-hour fast period in every 24-hour day by concentrating your food consumption to roughly eight to 12 hours and [not eating] outside of that window. This tells your nutrient-sensing pathways to trigger autophagy (the process in which your body culls dead/senescent cells) for optimal health, immunity, and vitality,” says Jillian Michaels, health and wellness expert and author
2. Take breaks at work
“Take several breaks at work: Go to the restroom and open the faucet with cold water, keep your hands underwater for a few seconds, and splash some of that water on your face. You will feel refreshed and energized,” says Milana Perepyolkina, an international best-selling author.
3. Move every day
“Exercise contributes to longevity, but not just living longer—living a vital life longer. Exercise decreases the risk of all major health complications, including heart disease, diabetes, and cognitive decline. Try adding in 15-30 minutes 2-3 times a week to begin, and build from there,” says Sarah Thacker, LPC, health coach, and yoga instructor.
4. Spend more time with loved ones
“When you feel connected to others and spend time having fun, sharing, and laughing, you naturally feel better and improve the quality of your life,” says Thacker.
5. Be consistent
A good routine is key when it comes to diet, and committing to a healthy eating plan is where you will reap the most benefits. “When I think of nutrition, I think about how it can not only be preventative but how it can manage disease,” says Jessica Crandall, a Denver-based RD, Certified Diabetes Educator, and National Spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. “I always say that it’s not one day that’s going to make you healthy or one day that’s going to make you unhealthy. It’s about adding that accountability in every single day that will help you improve your overall nutrition so that you can improve your health and longevity.”
6. Fuel up with protein
You don’t have to eat chicken for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, but it is recommended that you fit a hearty dose of protein at every meal. “Focusing on protein is something that’s really important as we get older because it plays a crucial role in keeping our muscles strong. You should be having a good protein source at breakfast, lunch, and dinner—whether that be beans, nuts, yogurt, eggs, meat, or fish. Aim for 20-30 grams per meal,” says Crandall.
7. Eat an antioxidant-rich diet
Antioxidants are one of your greatest defenses against aging, so it would serve you well to bolster your diet with as many as possible. “I’m always an advocate for adding antioxidant-rich foods to your diet to help prevent and ward off disease. Berries, bell peppers, grapes, and brightly colored fruits and veggies are all great options. I suggest having at least three cups of veggies and two cups of fruit per day at minimum,” says Crandall.
8. Drink more water
It’s impossible to talk about a healthy diet and aging without mentioning this essential component. Drinking enough water daily can help with weight management, skin health, and keeping your body efficient. “A good range is between 64 and 90 ounces of water per day, which would translate to eight glasses of eight ounces of water or more. Other fluids count toward hydration, including things like milk, decaf coffee, and teas,” says Crandall.
9. Cut out fake foods
If the ingredient list is long and full of words you can’t pronounce, toss it. The best foods for your body don’t come in boxes. “As we get older, I think it’s important to cut out non-nutritive foods like added sugars and really limiting sweets. As we age, our palates can sometimes shift toward sweeter foods, so be mindful of that. The more sweets we have, the more inflammation we have. Inflammation in the body can put you at greater risk for cardiovascular disease, joint pain, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome,” says Crandall.
10. Consult a dietitian
“The best thing we can have on our side is prevention. Working with a preventative specialist such as a dietitian can be really instrumental in making sure you’re hitting those good quality nutrition markers. I’d recommend seeing an RD once a year at a minimum; some people do it three or four times per year if they have an actual concern that needs to be addressed,” says Crandall. Leading a healthy life is all about developing good habits and exercising them daily. Consulting an expert helps take the guesswork out of it all and can help set you up for true success from the get-go.
