10 TO DO, TO GO FROM, 20 TO 100

Top 10 Things to Do in Your 20s for a Long, Healthy Life

Longevity may not be the first thing on your mind in your 20s, but there are things you can do right now that will help to assure you a long, healthy life. It is easier to build healthy habits now then to try to change them later. Here are some things you can do to improve your life expectancy.

 

ANYBODY CAN START THESE THINGS AT ANY AGE ANYWAY, FOR A LONG AND HEALTHY LIFE

 

1. Avoid Accidents and Violence

The leading cause of death for people in their 20s are accidents.  You can make sure you make it through your 20s by buckling your seat belt and wearing Helmets. Drive safely. Ride carefully. Avoid Speed.

2. Don't Smoke

Nothing chops years off your life faster than smoking. While the risks of smoking have been well publicized, an unbelievable 20% of adults still smoke. While smoking will take years off your life, it can also make many of the years that you do have rather miserable. The good news is that even if you smoke now, quitting will give you tremendous benefits.

3. Find & Maintain Friendships

Being in a good relationship can add up to 5 healthy years to your life. Your 20s are a good time to shop around, make a good choice about friends and significant others and learn about what you need in a relationship.

4. Establish an Exercise Routine

Use your 20s to establish a healthy exercise schedule. Figure out what kind of exercise you like and what works with your schedule. The most important thing is the routine. Exercise at least 3 times per week. You'll have more energy and fitness now and you will establish a lifelong habit of exercising.

5. Establish Healthy Eating Habits

Heart disease is the number one killer and it is also largely preventable. Take time now to establish lifelong eating habits. Learn to control your portion size, slow down your eating, choose whole grains and vegetables, and avoid unhealthy fats. Avoid Junk Food.

6. Have Friends

Studies have also shown that people with a strong friendship network live longer and healthier. Friends are easy to form in your 20s before you get settled in a career, a relationship and a family. Invest in your friendships, take a trip together, make those phone calls.

7. Learn to Relax

Stress also drains away health, both now and in the future. Chronic stress contributes to heart disease, stroke, and many other illness. Learn simple relaxation techniques, laugh a lot, and enjoy life.

8. Find Healthy Work

Demands from work can place a huge burden on our health. Stress, long hours, and strained relationships can reduce our life expectancy. Plan your work, Learn to handle and Cope with Stress, Go with the Change, Adapt, Be Positive so that Life will be healthy, meaningful and fulfilling.

9. Have a Purpose

Having a purpose can add healthy years to your life. Studies have shown that people who attend religious services live longer than those who do not. Find a way to maintain a deep sense of meaning in your life to give direction now and for decades to come.

10. Change How You Think About Aging

Studies show that having a positive perception about aging can add 7 years to your life. Aging is not an inevitable decline in function and ability. If you adopt healthy behaviors now, you can have health into your 90s and beyond.