To live longer, you need to hug more often, walk every day and be happy
One of the leading professors of medicine at the University of Southern California, David Agus, on the eve of the New Year, gave some advice to those who want to live as long as possible - although there are many people on Earth who would not want to? Among these tips, some may seem rather unusual, and some, on the contrary, are already familiar. But the main thing is that for the most part, the methods proposed by scientists are not only beneficial for health, but also improve mood.
First, David Agus invites people to hug as much as possible, writes the Daily Mail. According to the scientist, it helps to strengthen the immune system, as evidenced by the results of a recent scientific study in which 400 volunteers took part. In addition, many experts previously noted that human touch can almost magically change heart rate, lower blood pressure, stimulate the hippocampus - the area of the human brain responsible for happiness - and also increase the production of chemicals associated with feelings of joy.
Also, the scientist advises to "throw the alarm clock away." Of course, not everyone can afford to get up at what time they want, but someone who can suppress the urge to check their email and go to bed early is likely to feel better. Sleeping well can help fight stress, fight infections, and help keep your figure and skin looking good.
David Agus recommends walking every day. This allows you to maintain muscle strength longer over the years, and reduces the likelihood of diabetes and heart problems. As shown by a study conducted several years ago, for optimal effect, it is advisable to walk for about 450 minutes a week, that is, a little more than an hour a day.
In addition, the scientist believes that a person should not get too used to processed foods. It is the "fresh" food that avoids many chronic diseases. It is equally important, according to David Agus, to try never to take medicines and even vitamins "in tablets" unnecessarily. If a remedy does not have a medical "analogue", in most cases it is worth resorting to it.
Finally, in order to live longer, you just need to … be happy. It may sound like a cliche, but a cheerful view of the world is really beneficial for your health. Naturally (as suggested by the previous tip), using mood-altering medications is not the best way to achieve happiness and health. The American expert recommends using special programs for mobile devices that "track" mood, or act "the old fashioned way" - monitor your emotions, make appropriate notes somewhere and live in such a way as to find yourself more often in pleasant situations for yourself and less often in unpleasant ones. …
Dmitry Erusalimsky
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