長寿の秘訣は？

After I talked to students last week about their birthdays, I was a little surprised to hear that almost everyone said they didn’t enjoy their birthdays and of course, they were not very happy about getting older. However, we can't stop our birthdays from coming, so what is the best way to deal with getting older?

So this week’s question is:
What are some things you can do to live a longer, healthier and happier life?

I have read many news stories and websites that focus on ways to help people live longer. Of course many health experts disagree on what is the best solution for everyone, so I have listed some of the most common advice from different doctors, hospitals, dietitians and research centers.

When we speak this week, let’s discuss if you agree with some of the things on the list and some of the other ways you can think of to live happier and healthier lives. Here is the list:

Reduce the amount of food you eat everyday.

Change your diet. For example:

The Mediterranean diet.
A diet that with a lot of oils, fruits, vegetables, beans, nuts, and fish. Also, eat a moderate amount of dairy products and a low amount of meat.

Switch to a Paleolithic diet:
A diet like that is like what cavemen ate, for example, non-fatty meat, fish, vegetables, fruit and nuts. And try to avoid cereals, dairy products, salt or processed foods.

A vegetarian diet
There are three kinds of vegetarian diets, semi-vegetarians (plants, dairy products, eggs and fish), lacto-ovo vegetarians (plant food, dairy products and eggs) and vegans (plant food only).

Get enough sleep!
Many experts agree that at least 8 hours of sleep every night is best.

Be more positive because a positive attitude reduces your stress levels.

Don’t smoke

Wear sunblock

Socialize.
Make new friends or get together with your friends as much as you can

Drink red wine and or eat red grapes

Go to church
Over 1,000 research studies say that people usually go to church, synagogue or mosque live about 7 years longer than people who don’t.

Eat what many health experts call, SUPER FOODS:
Almonds
Apples
Blueberries
Broccoli
Red beans
Salmon
Spinach
Sweet potatoes
Vegetable juice
Wheat germ

Meditate and or do Yoga

Exercise regularly

What else can you add to the list? I will look forward to talking about long life when we speak this week.

Be well and happy.

Keith//

This week’s vocabularies:

deal with
（その事実）とどうつき合うか

health experts
健康に関する専門家（エキスパート）

disagree
反対意見を持つ

advice
アドバイス

dietitians
栄養士

research center
研究所

reduce
減らす

diet
食事

moderate

極点でなく、緩やかな

dairy products
乳製品

paleolithic
旧石器

caveman
（石器時代の）穴居人

processed foods
加工食品

experts
（ある分野の） 専門家

positive attitude
ポジティブな考え方

stress levels
ストレス度

sunblock
日焼け止め(sunscreen).

church
教会

synagogue
ユダヤ教の礼拝堂.

mosque
モスク, イスラム教寺院.

wheat germ
麦芽

meditate
瞑想する

regularly
定期的に, 規則正しく