I’ve learned this year that life is fleeting…we’re really on this earth for such a short time…so we should enjoy every moment to the fullest…and try to live as long as possible…so naturally…thinking the way I think nowadays…I was intrigued by “The Secrets to Longevity” that was featured in Cooper University Hospital’s Health Connection newsletter that I received the other day in the mail…secrets to longevity…I must read these tips I thought…especially if there are ‘secrets’…who doesn’t like a good secret?
Soooo…here’s what it says:
You can live longer (yes, I want to do this) and live better (even better…of course I want to do this too) by:
– Eating food loaded with antioxidants – you can minimize damage caused by free radicals. Okay…I can do this…I can eat foods with antioxidants…I do like some foods with antioxidants…and I am glad that summer is coming so I can load up on blueberries…my favorite food with antioxidants…and I just started drinking Snapple antioxidant WA+ER…it’s not too bad…I don’t like flavored water…but this new Snapple water wasn’t too bad…I tried the Grape Pomegranate variety…it is enhanced with antioxidants like Vitamins A & E and Grape Seed Extract…I was immediately sold when I read the editorial copy on the side of the bottle – “Have you ever searched for the fountain of youth, whose water would allow you to live forever? (Yes, I have searched for my fountain of youth and continue to search for my fountain…but not in my water…thank you…I would rather just go back to Italy…back to the Trevi Fountain and enjoy some good pizza.)Frankly we don’t think it exists.” (Okay…forget this…why should I drink any more of this Snapple water if it is not going to allow me to live forever…I can just drink tap water…but then I won’t get my antioxidants…and the free radicals are going to continue to attack my body…this is a tough decision.)
– Keeping your cholesterol low – you can slow the hardening of your arteries and protect your heart. I’m trying to do this…trying to keep my cholesterol in check…but I take Zetia…and I am more confused after reading all the recent reports on this drug…I can’t wait to go to see my cardiologist and see if I should stay on this drug…who knows if it is good or bad for me…hope my arteries are staying unclogged…I want to protect my heart so it keeps beating for a long time.(Okay, I did cheat this week and eat some chocolate chip pudding cake…love that pudding cake…but it is likely contributing to the hardening of my arteries…I better not buy these pudding cakes any more…or if I do I should freeze it right away…freeze it in slices instead of leaving the entire cake sitting on the counter…in perfect bird’s eye view every day…or better yet…maybe I should buy the bland vanilla pudding cake…the flavor that is my least favorite…this way I won’t want to eat it every day.)
– Practicing mental fitness – you can keep your brain sharp. My husband used to do crossword puzzles all the time…my mom does crossword puzzles too…but I don’t like crossword puzzles…I’m not good at crossword puzzles…they frustrate me…I never think of the right letters or words to fit in the squares…maybe I should read the dictionary…and learn more new words…that would be a good mental exercise…then maybe I would be better at completing a crossword puzzle.
– Following screening guidelines for common conditions in your 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s and beyond. Well, since the first three decades are already past…it’s too late to catch up on my screenings…but I always have done my yearly mammogram and pap test (very important…I agree)…and I already did do two colonoscopies in the past 10 years…and I have my cholesterol checked bi-annually…better make sure I keep my appointments up-to-date if I want to live a long life.
– Keeping your medical information current and organized. They are right…I need to organize my medical information…and make sure it is current…maybe I should set aside an empty drawer in my dresser and organize all my medical information…if it is going to help my longevity…then I will throw out some of my old clothes and make room for more medical information…I’m a good organizer…I’ll put this on my ‘to do’ list for sometime during the next year.
– Quitting those bad habits – particularly smoking. I don’t have to worry about this bad habit…never smoked and don’t plan to…A+ for me.
– Living stress free. Oops…this likely makes up for the lack of smoking…I may get an A+ for not smoking…but I get a D+ for stress…it is likely going to impact my longevity…glad I just signed up for a stress management workshop for the next eight weeks…now I’m especially glad I’m going…I am going…yes…I’m going to go…I promise.
– Being social. The meter just shot up again…I’m social…I like going out…I like meeting new people…I’m a social being…wow…I didn’t know that being social will add years to my life…I better make more dates to do things…where should I go…I do want to go to the Philadelphia Museum of Art to see the Frida Kahlo exhibit…and I want to go to NYC to see the new color exhibit at the Museum of Modern Art…and to see the new rendition of South Pacific (love that show…and the music too)…and maybe I should be really social and book my trip to France to see the Louvre…and Provence…wonder if I am social in a foreign country if it will add even more years to my life…and if I add the wine with all the antioxidants…well…well…well…I knew there were several good reasons why I had to go to Provence this year…not only to celebrate my 50th birthday…but because of longevity…think I’ll bring along a crossword puzzle on my trip too.
I think I’m going to sign up for Cooper’s Baby Boomer 50+ Expo…I can attend now…yes…now that I’m 50 I can attend this Expo…and if it is going to help me live longer…be social…I better sign up…Aging in Style…aging in style…aging in style…wow…stylish…fountain of youth…long life…as my father used to say, “if you’ve got your health…you are rich”…my father had good advice for longevity…I knew I should have listened to him when I was younger.
Judi
