Tips to Live a Long and a Healthy Life

Each person may have a different opinion on what is a 'healthy life' or what is 'healthy living'. For some it may be being disease free for others it may be being relaxed. Well, healthy living is a combination of the said two and a few more aspects as well.

According to my opinion, being healthy should be a combination of soundness of your mind and your body. Here 'soundness' is used in reference to being healthy. Soundness could mean perfect functioning of a bodily function. (Don't think about it too much!)

Everyone of us would like to be healthy right? Be disease free, active, energetic, intelligent and all that. Well that may not be as hard as you think. Just keep reading.

• Food and Beverages

"The fish dies by its mouth". This so relevant to us too. We are what we eat actually. Don't get me wrong, I'm not telling you to go on a hunger strike or an intensive diet plan. In fact that is really not necessary and I do not recommend it at all. Isn't there a way to be healthy while eating all the 'gorgeous' food we want? Actually there is.

Imagine food as energy we take in and physical labor we do as output of energy. In this sense it's a simple equation where you will have to balance the both sides with a "=" in between the two sides. The two sides are intake of energy and output of energy. Or more meaningfully, the amount of food we take in and the amount of work we do.

So in a nutshell eat all you want-fats, calories or carbohydrates-but make sure to get them out of your system as well, that is by engaging in some physical activity.

• Alcohol

Before exercises I thought of adding 'alcohol' to the list, because alcohol does a massive damage to your body that exercises cannot repair back. So alcohol and smoking should be your next biggest concern if you are an excessive user.

I really don't believe an occasional drink (of some alcohol types in the right amount) is of a dangerous threat. In fact some doctors recommend quantified amount of prescribed alcohols as medicine. Ex. Wine and brandy. But any amount of overdoing is bad for your health and is a really good shortcut for an early and an unfortunate death.

Don't wonder why drugs aren't on the list. It is quite obvious that drugs is out of the question in a path to a healthy life, even in the slightest.

There are some really good books written on getting rid of alcoholism (I have linked to the right). But to be honest, there is nothing your mind cannot do. So be strong and that is all the guidance you need.

• Physical activities

Notice that I didn't use the term 'exercises'? Yes, I did it on purpose. 'Exercising' has become a fashion these days. Running on treadmills in AC rooms, lifting weights etc. But all you need is 20-30 minutes of running. Running is the best form of physical exercise you could get. You don't need to buy an expensive treadmill to run!!! Just run on the sidewalk or on a park. It is free and all natural. The natural environment will actually help you in the process too, providing you with fresh air and appropriate amount of body temperature.

Put aside running. If you are naturally a hard worker, you probably may not even need anymore physical labor. You probably need a little self control on the food department.

• Social relationships

Your social behaviors is quite critical for your health both physically and mentally. Humans are social creatures and it is within our genes no matter how much we refuse to be among people. Actually being with people will increase the chances of longevity.

Talking, sharing experiences, sharing defeats and victories, success and failure with other people is actually very crucial for sound mental health. The right kind of people could help you with your problems and show empathy towards you. This may not sound much, but for a person in dire need for company a kind word may be the difference between life and death.

Humans have a need to be a part of something or to feel belonged to something or someone. This is why people form work groups, support groups, religious groups, friend circles/cliques, charities and many other groups and organizations.

Being loved and cared is another important thing. We absolutely need love and affection to survive in the world. That is why it is quite important to find a partner for your life. And this is why the construct of matrimony has risen.

Sex or intimacy is another important aspect for a healthy life. This topic may be shunned from being talked openly, but it;s importance is very high. Sex is more than just a physical activity. It also requires a deep level of emotional and physical stability and chemistry. It is also a great tool of stress management.

Good health more important that you probably think. It's not just being disease free so you can carry on with your daily life. There is a bigger basket of benefits for being healthy.

• First of all, to be sick free (physical health)
• Good mental health (being mentally stable)
• Achieve long life.
• Minimum stress, pressure and ambiguousness.
• Social benefits - role model for other people, happiness within the family etc.
• Monetary benefits - expenses on medicines etc.
• Being active, energetic and achieve maximum out of your time.
• Self-satisfaction

These are just the ones that are on top of my head, probably you may know even better and more benefits of being healthy both mentally and physically.