In 1920, the average lifespan of an American was 60 years. Today, our life expectancy is about 78. What's more, we've learned that genes account for about a third of the problems associated with aging. The other two-thirds? Our lifestyles; including our eating and exercise habits, and how we handle stress.
According to the US Surgeon General's Report on Nutrition and Health, 75% of cardiovascular disease, 60% of women's cancers, and 40% of men's cancers are related to nutrition and diet. Many deaths can be avoided if the persons take proper care of their health. But that, of course, varies across different cultures.
The latino lifeline
Latino senior citizens use hospitals less, yet live longer and die less of heart disease, cancer or stroke. This is good news for our Health Care Systems. But, how do they do it?
Most analysts attribute this to the seeming paradox of longer life expectancies, which for Latinos points to lifestyle as a determinant. Chief among the habits of the "Latino heart" are the importance of family, the maintenance of a work ethic, the role of religion, and the formation of community.
Having strong, healthy family and community life contributes tremendously to living longer. We are, after all, social animals. And we need to balance our emotional needs by interacting with people on a daily basis. The Latino culture provides numerous opportunities for social interaction between family, friends and strangers.
Body batteries
Although social interaction is a big part of a healthy lifestyle, it is also important to have your own "quiet time." In the Latino culture, this is called the siesta. For a couple of hours a day, around early afternoon, Latinos take a small nap in order to rejuvenate their minds and bodies. Although most of us work hard during the day, it's not a bad idea to take at least a half hour nap right after arriving home from work. However, be careful not to sleep longer than 2 hours since this can have a negative effect on your body's energy levels, ultimately draining you as you enter deep sleep mode.
Another key factor that comes into play from the Latino lifestyle is their diet. Latino cuisine includes a lot of fish, olive oil, vegetables, cheeses, and breads. Red meat is almost always kept to a minimum, and rice is used abundantly. The key is that they eat 5 times day in small portions, and generally love to exercise. Their meals are always balanced across all food groups, and they devour large amounts of fruits and vegetables, not to mention corn, wheat and oats.
The following is a comprehensive list you can refer to for tips on how to extend your life and make it more enjoyable at the same time.
Without further ado, I give you the best age-busting tips for the new millennium
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Tips For Living Longer
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