Check out this great slideshow from AOL Health. They address the pertinent question on many people's minds--how can I live longer? Besides the obvious things like "quit smoking" and "get more excercise" they gave some interesting advice. My favorites included: getting a pet, as caring for another living being is great for mental health. Eat more fish--omega 3 fatty acids are key to longevity. And lastly, limit alcohol consumption to less than 4 drinks per day--which should be doable for most people unless they are in college.
Up tommorow: I will be looking at vitamin consumption: can too much be bad for you?
-AY
Friday, June 27, 2008
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Thoughts on Sleep
Do you ever think about sleep? It is a major part of life for humans, and it seems that most people do not think or know much about it. Conventional wisdom says to sleep around 8 hours a night, more for youngsters and less for older folk. But is there more to it than that?
According to this interesting article from CNN.com, adults need 7-8 hours of unmitigated sleep per night. This one claims that any hours more or less than between 6.5-7.5 hours is bad. One thing that seems to be true is that too much consumption of caffeine or "energy drinks" (in quotes since most of them don't work or leave you with a horrible crash) can negatively effect sleep habits. And too little sleep has been tied to "ill health" and lower longevity of lifespan.
So it seems that one easy thing we can all afford to do is cut down on the poor "energy" that we are massively consuming these days. For more natural and healthy forms of energy that won't affect your sleep, try incorporating more milk, fruit and vegetable drinks, chocolate, green tea, and many others. Check out this site for unique ways of kicking your caffeine habit.
Finally, if you are still having trouble sleeping, try listening to soothing music before bed, like this purrrrrcast (yes, it is exactly what you are thinking).
-Alexander Yerpat
According to this interesting article from CNN.com, adults need 7-8 hours of unmitigated sleep per night. This one claims that any hours more or less than between 6.5-7.5 hours is bad. One thing that seems to be true is that too much consumption of caffeine or "energy drinks" (in quotes since most of them don't work or leave you with a horrible crash) can negatively effect sleep habits. And too little sleep has been tied to "ill health" and lower longevity of lifespan.
So it seems that one easy thing we can all afford to do is cut down on the poor "energy" that we are massively consuming these days. For more natural and healthy forms of energy that won't affect your sleep, try incorporating more milk, fruit and vegetable drinks, chocolate, green tea, and many others. Check out this site for unique ways of kicking your caffeine habit.
Finally, if you are still having trouble sleeping, try listening to soothing music before bed, like this purrrrrcast (yes, it is exactly what you are thinking).
-Alexander Yerpat
Friday, June 6, 2008
Simple Secrets to Longevity
We all know that life is precious--at any given moment, you could be hit by a bus or falling asteroid. You just never know when death might strike, and that is why it is so important to take the necessary steps to preserve your life for the long term.
So what are the secrets that allow one to live a long, healthy, productive life? The answers are simple and fairly easy to implement.
The first few things are pretty basic: eat healthy (more fruit!), stay active for 30 minutes a day or more, and drink or smoke only in moderation. These common sense things will do wonders for your heart, lungs, and brain--the most vital organs--over time.
Another less obvious idea that the above article points out is the theory that having a fun, stimulating, and creative job will keep your mind and body sharp and healthy. The trick, it seems, is to find a job that is allowing you to continually learn new, fulfilling, and challenging skills.
To find out more about living a long life, why not look at centenarians--people who have experience living to 100. Chinese people have embraced the art of Tai Chi to enable longer, more spry lives. Tai Chi "increases leg muscle strength and provides better balance and posture". Not to mention, it also "has numerous health benefits including: increased energy, decreased stress, an immunity boost against viruses, lowered blood pressure, better cognitive functioning, increased joint mobility, an improved cholesterol profile, relief from fibromyalgia symptoms, and even a better night's sleep".
There are also theories that living in calm environments leads to greater longevity. This means taking time out to enjoy the wilderness, away from busy, stressful cities. Breathing fresh air and getting closer to nature makes logical sense for achieving longevity.
So in sum--eat right, get closer to nature, and incorporate excercise routines like Tai Chi in order to live the longest, happiest, healthiest life.
-Alexander Yerpat
So what are the secrets that allow one to live a long, healthy, productive life? The answers are simple and fairly easy to implement.
The first few things are pretty basic: eat healthy (more fruit!), stay active for 30 minutes a day or more, and drink or smoke only in moderation. These common sense things will do wonders for your heart, lungs, and brain--the most vital organs--over time.
Another less obvious idea that the above article points out is the theory that having a fun, stimulating, and creative job will keep your mind and body sharp and healthy. The trick, it seems, is to find a job that is allowing you to continually learn new, fulfilling, and challenging skills.
To find out more about living a long life, why not look at centenarians--people who have experience living to 100. Chinese people have embraced the art of Tai Chi to enable longer, more spry lives. Tai Chi "increases leg muscle strength and provides better balance and posture". Not to mention, it also "has numerous health benefits including: increased energy, decreased stress, an immunity boost against viruses, lowered blood pressure, better cognitive functioning, increased joint mobility, an improved cholesterol profile, relief from fibromyalgia symptoms, and even a better night's sleep".
There are also theories that living in calm environments leads to greater longevity. This means taking time out to enjoy the wilderness, away from busy, stressful cities. Breathing fresh air and getting closer to nature makes logical sense for achieving longevity.
So in sum--eat right, get closer to nature, and incorporate excercise routines like Tai Chi in order to live the longest, happiest, healthiest life.
-Alexander Yerpat
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Buying a new car?
Gasoline prices are soaring to nearly $4 per gallon in the United States. It is summertime, so you know you will want to be travelling and blasting the A/C. All this means that gasoline will be getting gurgled by the bucket. What is one to do?
Of course you want to be concerned with saving money, but you also want to reduce your carbon footprint. The goal is to waste as few resources as possible, right?
One solution might be to trade in the old crude-sipper and buy yourself a new hybrid or electric car. But this proposal will be very costly in the short run--especially in terms of sentimental value! And all jokes aside, there is proof that in most cases, it will be better for the environment to keep an old car rather than to purchase a new one. (Check that article out, it was quite elucidating).
So if you find yourself still furious and grumbling about your gas cow on wheels, don't worry too much--try and make the best of the status quo. The future is looking bright. In fact, some believe that by 2010, China will be producing quality hybrid and electric cars for $10,000 or less.
-N. Tarpey, guest contributor
Of course you want to be concerned with saving money, but you also want to reduce your carbon footprint. The goal is to waste as few resources as possible, right?
One solution might be to trade in the old crude-sipper and buy yourself a new hybrid or electric car. But this proposal will be very costly in the short run--especially in terms of sentimental value! And all jokes aside, there is proof that in most cases, it will be better for the environment to keep an old car rather than to purchase a new one. (Check that article out, it was quite elucidating).
So if you find yourself still furious and grumbling about your gas cow on wheels, don't worry too much--try and make the best of the status quo. The future is looking bright. In fact, some believe that by 2010, China will be producing quality hybrid and electric cars for $10,000 or less.
-N. Tarpey, guest contributor
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
