15 Ways to Live Happier, Healthier, and Longer

Want to live a happier and longer life? Following some (or all) of these tips should do the trick:

1. Adjust Sleeping Time—Life expectancy may be reduced by sleeping more than eight hours a night. A study found that people who get only six to seven hours sleep a night live longer than those who sleep eight hours or more, or less than four hours.

2. Drink Tea—Recent research studies reveal the antioxidants in tea may inhibit the growth of cancer cells, support dental health, increase bone density and strengthen cardiovascular health.

3. Drink Red Wine—One glass of red wine a day may have certain health benefits by protecting against certain cancers and heart disease, and can have a positive effect on cholesterol levels and blood pressure.

4. No Smoking—No-brainer here. Did you know, within one year after quitting, the risk of a heart attack falls to about half that of a smoker?

5. Relax —It helps reduce stress-related conditions such as depression. Try yoga or meditation.

6. Exercise Frequently—Exercise is known to reduce the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, diabetes, and obesity. It keeps joints, tendons and ligaments flexible, and contributes to mental well-being by helping treat depression and relieving stress and anxiety.

7. Eat More Fruits and Vegetables—They can help ward off heart disease and stroke, control blood pressure and cholesterol, and prevent some types of cancer.

8. Be Optimistic—Researchers found that optimistic people decreased their risk of early death by 50%.

9. Take Vitamins—A good multivitamin contains a full assortment of vitamins with minerals, amino acids, herbal extracts, and other specialty nutrients.

10. Do More Crunches—A study of 8,000 Canadians found that individuals who could do the most situps in one minute were also the least likely to die over a period of 13 years.

11. Eat Frequently—A study in the British Medical Journal found that people who eat six or more small meals a day have 5% lower cholesterol levels than those who eat one or two large meals. That's enough to shrink your risk of heart disease by 10 to 20%.

12. Eat Nuts—Harvard researchers found that men who replaced 127 calories of carbohydrates--that's about 14 Baked Lay's potato chips--with one ounce of nuts decreased their risk of heart disease by 30 percent.

13. Olive Oil—Men whose diets include as much as two ounces of olive oil a day have an 82 percent lower risk of having a fatal first heart attack than men who consume little or none.

14. Eat Berries—Strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries are all loaded with salicylic acid – the same heart-disease fighter found in aspirin.

15. Try Acupuncture—Acupuncture appears to trigger the endorphins that help the heart relax and fight off stress, researchers say.

If you have any questions about any of these tips, feel free to reach out to me. I'd be happy to help you!