We have actually hit December! As strange as this year has been for us all, before we knew it, a year has almost passed and many felt as though it was almost lost in space and time. For those who are older in years and try to live life to the maximum, it may have felt like time was almost robbed from them. For those who are younger, they may feel like part of their future has been held up, by delaying the fast track journey, getting there ahead of time. Whatever ones views and thoughts are, the fact remains we always want and need to work on longevity of life itself with quality of life. So whatever life has in store for us, we can all improve to give a helping hand in the superior working order and efficiency in sublime health.

With a few simple but effective changes to our lifestyle, we can hold back the ageing, physical years and make forty the new thirty, or even twenty and eighty the new sixty and suchlike. Make it happen by…

Getting a regular health check for yourself, just like an MOT but for your own mobile body vehicle. Many things may go unnoticed and not easily detected as they are not always physically noticeable outside.

From the age of forty, cholesterol levels should be checked regularly, as well as blood pressure. These can lead to heart attack and stroke. Often there are no obvious signs that they are high, and if they are found to be a little above average, some diet changes can often bring it down.

Diabetes can also go unseen – take note if diabetes runs or has been in your family. It has been found that Type 2 diabetes can be controlled by dietary changes; if left unmanaged, it can add to further problems.

Healthy weight and not being overweight, reduces the risk of weight related problems such as breathlessness, heart disease, leg and back pain. Being overweight puts pressure on many parts of the body as well as the internal organs of the body.

Stress is part of life and a little is shown to be good and keep on our toes, but for too many people, a stress overload is a health hazardous issue. It can be a contributing factor towards many physical ailments, heart attack and strokes.

 

Long life action plan

Eat sensibly by eating when you are hungry and just stop when you are full. It sounds crazy to say, but people just don’t do that. Just because your plate is full of food, doesn’t mean it has to be finished all in one sitting. If you can and are at home, you can simply eat what you want for the moment to fill you up, then place a covering lid or another plate on top and pop into the fridge for later when you may feel hungry again. If out, ask for a take-out pack. Eat to live and enjoy it, but don’t live to eat and make yourself susceptible to weight related problems.

 

Reduce sugar

Sugar slows down your immune system. Eating 100g of sugar, and that includes not only chocolates and cake but healthy forms such as honey, slows the immune defences and the white blood cells lose the ability to fight off bacteria and viruses.

 

Drink in moderation

Alcohol changes the way the immune system acts and can alter the way the body fights off viruses and bacteria. Drink sensibly and don’t abuse with high daily doses of alcohol. Remember that excess alcohol also dehydrates the body dramatically so drink plenty of water in between when drinking alcohol.

 

Include beta-glucans

Beta-Glucans are natural sugar molecules found in cell walls of certain plants and other substances. In the past, diets were high in them as food wasn’t so modified and aesthetically perfected. The dark marks that are seen on naturally grown fruit and vegetables are packed with beta-glucans. Beta-glucans found in oats can lower cholesterol, some found in fungi and baker’s yeast can enable immunity system cells to act more quickly and fight off infections. Include oats and mushrooms in your diet.

 

Eat oily fish

Oil fish contain Omega 3 fatty acids which can reduce the risk of heart disease and joint pain. It is good for boosting brain power and increases protein synthesis which is the process the body goes through when turning the protein eaten to the fuel the muscles need for growth and strength.

 

Eat some carbohydrates

Your body needs carbohydrates to fully function at its best. If you avoid carbs, you can actually use up important muscle tissue and slow down the metabolic rate, and in the long term, more prone to weight gain. Don’t cut out carbs, just replace the bad carbs for good carbs like those of low glycaemic carbs such as wholegrains, oats and pasta. No need to overload just eat sensible portions daily.

 

Eat in technicolour 

Eat foods of variety colours. It sounds insane but the different pigments that give the different colours of food will provide the variation of important antioxidants, bioflavonoids and polyphenols intake which equals more protection and immunity.

 

Get active exercise

It is good for your mind as well as your body. Do the activities you love and you are exercising without it being a chore. Doing the active things you love to do helps you switch off a little mentally from work or other problems for a while, and can help de-stress. Use active energy to help get tired, to get a good night’s sleep, with total unwind rest and to feel fully recharged for the next day’s activities.

 

Look great and be ageless!

 

Love and  Sparkles

Samsara x