Everyone wants to live a long and healthy life. Studies are showing that more people are reaching the age of 100 and beyond than ever before. What scientists have found is that there are five main tricks to living a longer life.

1. Eat more vegetables. Better yet, eat them fresh and raw. Studies have shown that by adding a serving of raw, fresh vegetables to your diet daily can add over two years to your life span. Eating vegetables raw allows you to get the most nutrition from them. Cooking vegetables depletes the nutrients by almost a third.

2. Snack on nuts. The oils found in nuts are an essential nutrient for the body. Nuts are high in protein which will make you feel fuller when you eat them. The good monounsaturated fats found in them will help keep your arteries clean and healthy. Eating a handful of nuts once a day will add three years to your life span.

3. Watch your weight. Extra weight will burden your body in many ways. By cutting back you weight and body mass index you will live a longer life. Belly fat especially seems to shorten a person’s life. When you exercise you will strengthen muscles, gain energy and improve many ailments you may have. Decreasing your weight will significantly increase your life span.

4. Make time for friends. Friendship is one of the most critical keys to a longer life. Stress and anxiety will lower your body’s defenses against age and disease. A weakened immune system will cause you to become sick more often and allow more serious diseases to creep into your system. Making time to have fun with your friends will increase your life span by an additional seven years.

5. Finally, find inner peace. Many people are overwhelmed with jobs, family, stress, finances and more. To live a longer and healthier life you must make time to have quiet time. Meditation, yoga or even a walk with the dog is good for you. Just some down time to recuperate. Participate in a selfless act. People who donate their time to a good cause receive the same effects as those who meditate. These acts of kindness flood the body with “feel good” hormones enabling you to relax. Simple tasks as these can add an additional seven years to your life.

Picture: © Pascal Genest – iStockphoto.com

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