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3 Easy Steps For A Long, Healthy Life No one wants to discuss their life expectancy, especially when we're young. It's hard to imagine aging and reaching the end of our days. We'll live forever, right? As we age, we begin to realize that time doesn't stretch on as endlessly as it once did, and we may begin thinking about ways to extend those years just a little bit longer. Lengthening those years may be easier than you think. You can in fact increase your life expectancy starting with some basic lifestyle changes. Laugh Your Way Into Youthfulness Laughter really is the best medicine for staying young, and research has proven it. It reduces stress hormones like cortisol, epinephrine and dopamine, and it raises your body's level of endorphins which strengthen your overall immune system. Laughter and happiness also offer psychological benefits. When you're happy you are distracted from negative thoughts or actions that can have a damaging effect on your health and wellbeing. Spend quality time with friends and family. These positive relationships will reduce the impact of stress on your immune system, keeping you strong and healthy for years and years. Maintain Good Oral Health Believe it or not, taking care of your teeth and gums effects your general wellbeing and can add years to your life. Good dental care means more than a healthy smile. In fact, an oral exam can detect signs of many diseases including cancers, diabetes, infections, nutritional deficiencies and immune disorders. Not to mention that gum disease (periodontal disease) has been directly linked to stroke, lung disease, diabetes, heart disease and premature births. Practice good dental care by brushing and flossing regularly. More importantly, visit your dentist at least twice a year for routine cleanings and checkups. The earlier a problem is detected, the better chance there is of successfully treating the problem. Healthy Eating and Exercise If you've heard it once, you've heard it a million times. Eating nutritious foods and exercising will keep you healthy. Daily exercise will improve your sleep and your energy level, and eating a balanced diet will keep you fit and reduce your chances for high cholesterol, heart problems and other serious medical conditions. Most important for extending your life expectancy and maintaining your health is visiting your doctor and dentist for routine screenings and checkups. Doctors can detect problems early so that proper care and treatment can be administered sooner than later. While we can't control every obstacle that comes our way, we can take preventative measures and make changes to our lifestyle to increase our life expectancy. Taking care of your body with proper diet and exercise, practicing good oral health habits and maintaining positive relationships with the ones you love are three key elements to extending your lifespan to the maximum. Sean Hartmen writes for the Sunset Hills dentist, Crestwood Dental Group. For a healthy and radiant smile, this Kirkwood dentist offers cosmetic dentistry for patients of all ages.
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