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Tips for a Happy Life: Living Longer & Healthier
Posted on by Village Green Nutrition Team
Living in today's world can come with many challenges, demands, and responsibilities that can weigh you down. Sometimes it may seem like finding happiness is impossible. But the truth is, you can live a happier life with even just a few changes.
You may be wanting to experience more joy and positivity in your life right now but don't know where to start. We've got you covered. Keep reading to learn about the top tips for a happy life.
Get Your Body Moving
One of the best ways to promote a longer, happier life is to add some movement to your days. Exercise helps to trigger natural responses in your body that can bring you back to a balanced state. Your body releases chemicals called endorphins during exercise that spark positive feelings and interrupt pain perception.
Most people see great changes in their mood throughout the day when they incorporate regular trips to the gym. But you don’t have to go to the gym, if that's not your preference. Here are a few other activities to consider:
- Walking
- Jogging or running
- Swimming
- Climbing
- Playing sports (basketball, tennis, etc.)
- Dancing
- Pilates
- Yoga
No matter what your exercise of choice is, it's important to develop a habit of getting your body moving regularly. Consider trying different activities until you find something you feel you can be consistent with, or change it up and incorporate a variety of enjoyable activities into your life.
Maintain a Balanced Diet
Eating healthy may look different for everyone since we each have different physical and genetic factors that play roles in our health. But overall, there are a few universal keys to maintaining a balanced diet that everyone can benefit from.
First, start cleaning up your diet by reducing the number of processed foods you eat and replacing them with more whole foods. Eating more fruits and vegetables can improve your health by increasing the vitamins and minerals your body needs. You should also cut down on foods and drinks with high sugar content (especially refined sugar).
The most important part about a balanced diet is making a lifestyle out of it. Nourish your body with everything it needs to stay healthy on a daily basis.
Reduce Stressors
Many people may not realize the extent that chronic stress can have on your health. It often sneaks into our lives and creates a trickle effect of health issues once it arrives. Studies show that 33% of people report that they feel extreme stress.
Stress is responsible for causing a number of ailments, including high blood pressure, muscle tension, exhaustion and sleep troubles, and body aches and pains. The longer you sit in states of stress and anxiety, the worse it becomes. And letting these types of issues linger can have long-term effects on your health.
Removing or managing as many stressors as possible is one of the top tips for a happy life. You'll live longer when your mind and body aren't constantly under attack. You'll also be happier and enjoy life more overall.
Move to a Blue Zone
There are certain places on the planet where it seems like people are much happier. Well, this isn't just an illusion – they actually are. And these utopian locations are called Blue Zones.
What are Blue Zones? Blue Zones are regions around the world where people are thought to live longer lives than on average. They also seem to be happier and healthier doing so.
There are multiple places like this around the globe which means they all have to be doing things similarly, right? So what do Blue Zones have in common? A few key things that they have in common include eating plant-based diets, drinking alcohol in moderation, having movement integrated into their lives, and a great sense of community and support for each other.
The current Blue Zones around the world include:
- Okinawa, Japan
- Ikaria, Greece
- Loma Linda, California
- Sardinia, Italy
- Nicoya, Costa Rica
Of course, it might not be feasible to just up and move to a new place. But you can still adopt qualities from their lifestyles and try to heed key advice from Blue Zone experts. Learn tips for a happy life from the inhabitants of these places and plan a visit!
Practice Mindfulness
How often do you catch yourself feeling like you're stuck in the same routine over and over? You might wake up, get dressed, work, eat, sleep, and do it all again the next day.
There's nothing wrong with having a routine, but sometimes we go into "autopilot" mode. When we live like this it can be difficult to stop and appreciate anything that goes on around or inside of us. This also makes it harder to feel connected to a purpose or things that are meaningful in our lives.
One way to combat this, and another one of the best tips for a happy life, is to practice mindfulness. Being mindful is basically about focusing your attention on the present moment. The key components of this are awareness and acceptance.
Here are some simple and practical ways to practice mindfulness in your life:
- Do deep breathing techniques
- Try meditation
- Perform "body scan" exercises
- Spend time in nature
- Reflect daily
Being mindful is a great way to reduce stress and anxiety. It can help you feel more centered, grounded, and happy all around.
Try These Tips For a Happy Life
It might often seem like living a long, happy life is an uphill battle. But in reality, you can start changing things today. Try incorporating these tips for a happy life on a regular basis.
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