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(NaturalNews) We all want to live long, healthy and happy lives. There are natural things we can do to improve our chances, none of which cost a lot of money or are particularly difficult to accomplish. It takes practice, repetition and consistency to make your daily plan for healthy living a success.

Be physically active. A daily routine that includes regular exercise is good for your sense of well-being and overall general health. It will help you sleep better, too. A regular exercise program will keep you flexible and strong. As we age, our bones and joints tend to become stiff and inflamed. Regular exercise keeps these aches and pains at bay. Exercise doesn't have to be painful to be good for you. Several periods of light exercise a week will serve you well. Consistency is the real key.

Eat a healthy diet. Be sure to include a variety of healthful fruits and vegetables in what you eat each day. Raw foods are especially good for you. They contain more fiber and nutrients because these things are lost by cooking. Eat complex carbohydrates and fresh, not dried or frozen proteins. Lower your fat intake if it is more than 30% of your daily intake. Three to five servings of carbohydrate in the form of starches and fruits should be included in each meal.

Drink alcohol only in moderation as alcohol can be very hard on the body in large quantities. Just one drink can cause cellular death in several organs such as the brain. Drink mixed drinks that contain fruit or vegetable juice as healthy diluents for the alcohol. Sip your drinks, don't gulp. Enjoy nonalcoholic drinks. Many restaurants that serve elaborate alcoholic cocktails will prepare them without the alcohol.

Learn how to manage stress. Failure to manage stressors in your life can lead to heart disease, high blood pressure and a variety of emotional problems. Take time to relax and practice some form of stress reduction each day. Tai chi, a massage, deep breathing, listening to calming music or other sounds and meditation are all effective stress reducers. At the end of the day, some people swear by calming music, soft lighting and a warm aromatherapy bath.

Get the right amount of sleep for you. Any number of studies will tell you that many people don't sleep enough. While it is possible to sleep too much, most of us don't have that problem. Don't use your sleeping room for eating or working. It's important to maintain an atmosphere that lends itself to sleep. If you regularly eat and work in your sleeping room, your brain will recognize the environment as a waking one. Go to bed at about the same time every night. Your brain will get used to slowing down if you do that at the same time. Always end your day on a calming note. You will sleep better and wake the next day feeling refreshed.

Sources:

Silva GE, Goodwin JL, Sherrill DL, Arnold JL, Bootzin RR, Smith T, Walsleben, Baldwin CM, Quan SF. Relationship between reported and measured sleep times: The Sleep Heart Health Study. J Clin Sleep Med 2007; 3(6):622-630.

Lichtenstein et al. Summary of American Heart Association Diet and Lifestyle Recommendations Revision 2006. Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Bio. 2006;26:2186-2191.

Reeves, MJ., Rafferty, AP. 2005. Healthy Lifestyle Characteristics Among Adults in the United States, 2000. Arch Intern Med. 2005;165:854-857.

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