My title today sounds ambitious, it’s true.
But I’ve never been more convinced that anyone can enjoy vibrant health and a high standard of life throughout a full 100-year lifespan. We’re taught to think that we’re born, we live, then we get a disease and we die. It doesn’t have to be that way! I’m not saying you can live forever. But you can live up to your potential throughout ALL your years.
And it doesn’t have to be that hard.
Here are 5 simple rules for 100-years of healthy life:
- Eat well.
Kick the SAD (Standard American Diet) out of your life because frankly…it’s sad. The idea here is plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables (vegetables mostly), whole grains, lean meats, and fish. Legumes, lentils, and quinoa are a few of my personal faves.
Also, cut back on processed food. These types of foods weren’t around when we evolved the ability to derive energy from plant and animal sources. As such they wreak havoc with our DNA and cause no end of problems.
- Exercise well.
Just 30-minutes, three times per week is enough to boost heart health, help you lose weight, build stronger bones, and strengthen your immune system. So time is no excuse. The key with this is baby steps. The above is a lot for some. From wherever you are, start today and let yourself progress gradually.
- Sleep well.
During sleep is when your body repairs and rebuilds. It’s when cell repair and memory assimilation of the day’s events happens. Despite what our over-caffeinated culture might lead you to believe, most people need 7-8 hours a night to function at their best.
- Live well.
Kindness and love, as well as having a set of principles and a purpose to guide your life will help you to be healthier and live longer. In a recent study, researchers found that people with a hedonistic lifestyle had high inflammation and low antibody gene expression. In English, that means they had weak immune systems.
And who knocked it out of the park with low inflammation and rugged immunity?
People who fill their lives with purpose and meaning.
Interesting, huh?
- Seek a healthy nervous system.
Everything that goes on with your body begins with your nervous system. It’s “HQ” for your health. Ridding your body of blockages in your nervous system, known as “subluxations” lets you reach your full potential.
Now just imagine if we practiced all five starting as children?
What opportunities for amazing health would we have today?
Part of the theme of Kids’ Month here at the clinic is you’re never too young to start building healthy habits.
To wrap up, here’s the “takeaway”:
Instead of thinking of a body design meant to deteriorate with disease, think of a body design meant for ongoing progress.
Now…isn’t that a better way to see things?
Live Long & Prosper,
Dr. Josh
