As men age, what can they do to live longer?
The answer is to maintain healthy lifestyle habits. Many might say that this is not difficult, but don’t underestimate these good habits. It’s easy to stick to them for a day or two, but the real challenge is to maintain them in the long term. Take smoking, for example. For health reasons, doctors often say the earlier you quit smoking, the better. Many people may not smoke for a day or two and think they’ve succeeded in quitting. Of course, that’s not the case! To truly quit smoking, one must refrain from it for at least six months. This creates a stark contrast with the smoking addiction formed over the years. So, while it seems easy, continuing to persist is actually quite difficult.
As a doctor, I want to remind everyone that men who live longer generally have three common characteristics and six hobbies. How many do you have?
Firstly, long-lived men tend to go to bed early and rise early.
For men, maintaining good sleep is crucial. Only by ensuring adequate sleep can one boost their immune system and stabilize endocrine functions, allowing for sustained physical and mental energy. Many men have a habit of staying up late; going to bed late and waking up early is common. However, this leads to poor sleep quality over time, making it nearly impossible to achieve longevity.
Secondly, long-lived men often stick to regular exercise.
Life is all about movement, and exercise is even more vital for men. By staying active, one can manage their weight, and when weight is controlled, hypertension, high cholesterol, and high blood sugar will naturally stay away. Regular exercise also boosts immunity, making one less susceptible to colds and reducing the risk of cancer. Moreover, exercising strengthens bones, preventing weakness.
Given the numerous benefits of exercise, why hesitate?
Thirdly, long-lived men tend to avoid smoking and excessive drinking.
In our country, the majority of smokers and heavy drinkers are men—no one would dispute that, right? Why do men have a shorter lifespan than women? Smoking and drinking are undoubtedly significant factors. As a doctor, I urge everyone to stay away from alcohol and tobacco if they wish to live longer. Smoking and excessive drinking are major culprits behind various cancers and can easily trigger conditions like hypertension, coronary heart disease, and stroke.
The longer one smokes or drinks, the greater the damage to health. Therefore, for the sake of health, please avoid alcohol and tobacco.
1. Long-lived men often love learning; they believe in lifelong education. Learning keeps the brain active, naturally distancing oneself from dementia.
2. Long-lived men tend to cherish social interactions. Living in society, it’s best not to isolate oneself. Although one can survive without socializing today, prolonged isolation will dull one’s social skills and even slow down reactions. Men should build their social circles; having close friends will mitigate feelings of loneliness. Engaging in interesting activities with friends brings a sense of meaning to life.
3. Long-lived men often have a habit of smiling and laughing. A smile can take ten years off your age. You can either be happy for a day or unhappy for a day; why not choose to live happily? Negative emotions can lower immunity, disrupt endocrine balance, and hyperactivate the sympathetic nervous system. Over time, various diseases may arise.
4. Long-lived men often drink plenty of water. Water is the source of life and is essential for health. Only by drinking enough water can one aid in the elimination of metabolic waste from the body, facilitating smooth bowel movements. If you drink little water or only hydrate when thirsty, you may find yourself susceptible to various ailments over time.
5. Long-lived men tend to enjoy eating vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. Men are often carnivorous, but a diet heavy in meat can easily lead to high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and high blood sugar. Thus, men should aim for a balanced diet, consuming more vegetables, fruits, and whole grains, which are rich in dietary fiber, vitamins, and trace elements, greatly benefiting health.
6. Long-lived men often love sunbathing. Sun exposure is greatly beneficial to health as it promotes the synthesis of vitamin D, which helps calcium absorption and strengthens bone health.
