5 Habits of the Healthiest People

There’s a lot of well-meaning advice about how to live a longer and healthier life. But what advice really works? In this guide, you’ll find a selection of proven tips that’ll help you to stay healthy, have more energy, and live longer.

1. Drink 2L of Water Daily

It sounds trite, but drinking more water could save your life. It’s true that water accounts for 55-75% of your body weight, and it’s vital to all your cells. Maybe that’s why some studies indicate that drinking enough water may extend life. These same studies also show that we tend to drink too little water overall. So this is an important one: make sure you drink enough water every day.

2. Add Fish Oil to Your Diet

The evidence is in: fish oil can help reduce the risk of heart disease, fight depression, and protect the brain against dementia. And if you’re trying to lose weight, fish oil may help with that too. But what’s most important for long-term health is how it affects inflammation.

Inflammation has been linked to just about every known disease. So, lowering your inflammation can reduce your risk of heart attack, cancer, stroke, dementia… the list goes on. The American Heart Association suggests consuming oily fish at least twice a week to get enough of the omega-3 fats EPA and DHA. But if you don’t like fish, it may be worth taking an over-the-counter supplement.

3. Get Regular Health Checkups

This is important, especially if you’re over 40. From routine checkups like dental appointments to other age-related tests, everything should be treated as a must. And it’s not just about your physical health either. If you’re at high risk for something like heart disease or cancer, make sure your doctor tests for it. But even if you aren’t at high risk, don’t skip the checkups! You need to screen for things like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes. Most of these conditions can be prevented, treated, or controlled if caught early. Fortunately, technology is making regular health maintenance easier over time.

4. Don’t Smoke or Drink Too Much

It’s no surprise that these things are bad for you. If you’ve been smoking since your teens, quitting can add 10 years to your life expectancy. Drinking in moderation is generally harmless – but if you drink too much, it takes a serious toll on your health. For men, heavy drinking can shorten your life expectancy by 10-15 years.

5. Exercise Every Day

Here’s something that might actually surprise you: exercise is more important than diet for living a long, healthy life. Research shows that people who are most active live about 3 years longer on average than those who are sedentary. And if they have cardiovascular disease, exercise can make them live almost 2 years longer. Ultimately, the best way to stay healthy is to mix a number of things together and try not to slip up when building healthier habits.