02. What keeps us healthy...

02.

What are the main factors that influence our health?
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The thing about keeping ourselves healthy is that - there are not many things that we do not know. We know that diet, movement and mindset are key to our wellbeing. But it is the transition from knowing to doing that is tricky for most of us. Yet, let us dive into the knowing first.
Research shows that without doubt, there are powerful pillars on which our health is built on - and that are within our own control. 

• Lifestyle choices – I am sure you know everything I am about to tell you - but here it comes again - research shows that diet, exercise, sleep, and habits we choose to add or let go of, are the first stop. These accumulate to almost 70% of all our health.
  
• Mindset – Again, something many of us know but worth repeating -  studies reveal that people with a positive outlook on life heal faster,  have a lower risk of chronic diseases and improve recovery.
  
• Social connections – Strong social support is linked to better immune function, lower stress, and longer life expectancy. This was something we only lately began to formally discover with the studies of the Blue Zones of the world
  
• Access to resources – Accessible healthcare, education, and a clean environment are crucial for maintaining health. We know healthcare is important but so is education and keeping our nature clean.
  
• Self-care – Research supports that self-care practices, like mindfulness and relaxation, reduce stress and improve overall well-being. Now we know that even 10 min of breathing exercises done consistently have an immense impact on anxiety and sleep disorders.

Yes, there are some aspects that will always be outside our control. But for every 1 thing that we can not control, there are at least 3 that we can. This outlook on our wellbeing - now supported by research - gives us the ability to change our lives, even if we have lived with poor choices for long.

So can we actually live longer by doing the right things?
      To some extent. But what matters is also the quality of our life…