Forget yo-you and fad diets, ridiculous workouts, and big lists of dos and don’ts. Instead, look at the recommendations of centurions around the world. Longevity doesn’t have to be difficult to achieve. Instead, begin by putting into play some common sense. 

#1 Start by just getting moving. Get active even a little – shovel the snow, take the stairs, park further away, ride a bicycle, rake the leaves, and just get out there a walk. We are supposed to get 10,000 steps per day. Walking is a great form of exercise that anyone can do. When centenarians are interviewed, the one thing they all have in common is that they all walk.

#2 You should cut your calorie intake by 20%. Serve up your food, and then put all the food away before you sit to eat. Use bowls, glasses, and plates that are smaller. Make sure that you sit down to eat rather than standing or eating in the car. 

#3 Having a glass of red wine with your meal is a good idea. Red wine has shown to have some heart health benefits. Of course, it should always be in moderation with no more than two servings a day.

#4 You don’t have to become a vegetarian unless you want to but think about significantly increasing the amount of fresh fruits and vegetables that you eat. In addition, make sure you eat at least 2 ounces of nuts a day, and add rice and beans as main staples of your menu. 

#5 Figure out what your purpose in life is. What makes you rise in the morning and go through your day? What drives you? Create your own personal mission statement to live by. Give yourself a challenge regularly. It helps to keep you fresh and on your toes. When you have a purpose in your life, you tend to want to live longer and it is good for your psychological health.

#6 Make sure you make time to deal with stress in your life. Learn relaxation techniques to help you de-stress at the end of your day. That might be meditation, deep breathing, a long soak in the tub, or whatever works for you. You can also reduce the stress in your life through better planning. Leave earlier, limit the time spent in noisy environment, etc. 

If this all sounds too simple to make a difference in leading a healthy life it’s not. It’s a good idea to make one or two changes at a time, because taking on all of the chances at once tends to be too overwhelming.