Are You at Risk of Becoming Old Before Your Time? by Paula Stone

An 83-year-old friend of ours is currently attending heart rehab after a “medium” heart attack. He is doing well. He expects to be back at work soon.

But that heart rehab is full of people who are as young as their middle 30’s.

It’s a sad and all too realistic commentary on the fast and convenience food craze and the health risks it brings for people who should be young and healthy.

And it’s not an isolated problem. Young people are increasingly obese and unhealthy. They are also developing the old age illnesses like diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease very young.

And those illnesses make them not only feel old. They ARE OLD!

They are also paying more for medical insurance, life insurance, and medications and health care.

It’s just wrong.

These people should be in the prime of their lives, not hanging around in heart rehab or, worse, dying young.

So what do you do to protect your health? Is there anything you can do?

YES!

Here are some effective strategies to help you stay healthier.

1. Avoid fast food. It is full of all the bad stuff like fat, salt and sugar. What’s worse though is that there are very few vitamins and minerals anywhere in these meals. It’s pointless to eat them. Find better food.

2. Eat at home and prepare your own food from fresh ingredients. Raw fruits and vegetables have more of the stuff you need for good health. Raw food is pretty easy, isn’t it? If you eat well your weight will take care of itself.

3. Get enough sleep. Americans are the most sleep-deprived people in the world. A good strategy to help you sleep more is to cancel whatever TV you have. You will go to sleep easier without the stimulation and banality of the flickering box.

4. Get a dog and let it take you for walks. It’s good exercise and it’s also great to alleviate depression. Take your lover with you, too. It’s a great time to talk.

5. Get rid of debt. Many people are working WAY too hard just to pay for a lifestyle that is really nightmarish. The stress is killing people. Dump your big house, drive an old car, do whatever you need to do so you can have a life beyond work.

6. Plant a garden. It’s a good way to get better food and it’s good exercise, too.

7. Build good close relationships with people who care for you. Relationships sustain people through the bad times and the good, too. Stuff won’t make you as happy as love.

Change your life so that you stay younger and healthier. Age is just a number. If you are healthier few people will be able to guess how old you really are.