3 Healthy Tricks that Benefit You Now (and Later)

Did you leave your New Year’s resolutions in the dust weeks ago? Don’t let it get you down! It could be that you are just not choosing the right motivation to stick to your health goals. A recent study has found that people are not motivated to cultivate healthy habits by the knowledge that it will help them avoid disease in the future; people are much more likely to exercise regularly, eat better, and adopt other healthy habits when beneficial results happen NOW in our everyday lives. So here are 3 simple habits you can adopt now that will help you today—and also years down the road.

1. Stand more often

Benefit Now: Feel more energetic throughout your day 

Later: Protect yourself from cardiovascular disease, obesity, and possibly cancer 

Stand up for your health and longevity! Recent studies have shown that sitting for prolonged periods of time can increase your risk for serious health issues, such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, and possibly cancer—even if you exercise on a daily basis. But how does sitting for large chunks of time affect you today? You may notice as you sit at your desk that your energy level feels sluggish and you aren't feeling particularly productive. Use your legs and see if your energy doesn't increase!

Take this habit for a test drive:

• Take exercise breaks once every 2 hours. Think: squats, lunges, jumping rope, and general stretching. You will get the added bonus of increased energy and productivity.

• Turn every activity into an opportunity to move. Instead of resorting to the phone or email message, walk over to the person. Chat with coworkers standing up. Take the stairs instead of the elevator.

• Walk together. Get a membership at the local zoo or museum and go often with family or friends. Hike in a park or walk the family dog together.

2. Help others

Benefit Now: Feel happier and more at ease in the world

Later: Stave off depression and worry less

It’s no secret that doing something nice for others helps you feel better about yourself and gives you a positive outlook on your place in the world. In fact, preliminary research suggests that practicing acts of kindness may be beneficial in the treatment of mood disorders, such as depression. In general, people who help others focus less on their own pain and worries and feel good about themselves. These kind acts also help cultivate compassion. Compassionate people have empathy for others and are less likely to become angry, which can lead to stress—and the diseases that come with it over time.

Take this habit for a test drive:

• Practice kindness by looking for opportunities to make someone else feel happy: sweep the sidewalk in front of your neighbor’s house, give up your seat on a bus to an elderly person, or do the dishes at home without being asked.

• Volunteer your time and resources to causes you believe in.

• Pass it on! Smile at as many people as you can today, strangers and friends alike.

• Give thanks. Tell one person every day that you appreciate them. Whether in person, over the phone, email, or text message, both of you will get a lift.

3.  Get smart about your smartphone

Benefits Now: Gain better focus

Benefits Later: Collect less accumulated stress over time

A new study has found an association between chronic use of Web-enabled cellphones and a rise in stress levels.  Many smart-phone users feel the ceaseless need to immediately review and respond to every incoming message or alert. As this pattern grows, so does stress—especially when it is checked for personal reasons, such as incoming texts and emails from family and friends. This stress can distract you and ruin your mood today, and over time, chronically elevated levels of stress can lead to heart disease, depression, obesity, digestive problems, and more. Luckily, it’s how you use the phone that matters, not the phone itself—so there is opportunity to develop a positive relationship to your phone.

Take this habit for a test drive:

• Try bulk-checking your email or texts once an hour to break the “instant communication” factor.

• Practice doing one task at a time—either check your email or instant chat or send a text. This will heighten your focus and may even build discipline.

• Take one day off from screens and surfing every week. If a whole day seems too radical, even taking a half-day break from email and TV can be restorative.

• Consider putting your phone in airplane mode after 9pm until early morning.

I hope you benefit right away from these three tips!

You can find more ways to live a long and healthy life in Secrets of Longevity: Hundreds of Ways to Live to Be 100, which is now available on Kindle. In addition, The Natural Health Dictionary makes a great companion to your quest for longevity. It is a comprehensive guide that answers all your questions about natural remedies, healing herbs, longevity foods, vitamins, and supplements.

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May you live long, live strong, and live happy all year long!

—Dr. Mao

This blog is meant to educate, but it should not be used as a substitute for personal medical advice. The reader should consult his or her physician or clinician for specific information concerning specific medical conditions. While all reasonable efforts have been made to ensure that all information presented is accurate, as research and development in the medical field is ongoing, it is possible that new findings may supersede some data presented.

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