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As a woman who has lived through many passages and learned through my larger than life experiences (positive and negative), I’ve discovered how to take a big empowering bite out of life.

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Healthy Lifestyle: 3 Keys to a Longer Life

 

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We aren’t immortal—but there are certainly ways in which we are able to help promote a longer-lasting, more fulfilling life. Aging gracefully takes a bit of mindfulness and commitment, but the outcome can vastly improve your quality of life for years to come. I’ve highlighted a few key ways to live a longer, more beautiful life as an empowered woman.

Healthy Technology Use: The Key to a Longer Life

One of the often-overlooked keys to a longer life is managing our use of technology in a healthy way. While we may not have grown up with many of the technologies that we use on a daily basis now, it can be difficult to picture what our lives would look like without them. From streaming movies online to interacting with friends on smartphones and social media, doing Zoom calls with grandkids, there is a whole new world of technology for us to explore in the later years of our lives.

Although there are many exciting benefits to these new types of digital devices, too much screen time can actually have some serious drawbacks on our health. Did you know, the blue light emitted from digital devices can damage our eyes and skin, causing harm to the retina over time and weakening the skin? Having a reliable pair of blue-light glasses can help shield the eyes from these rays and is especially important before bedtime as blue light disrupts the body’s natural sleep cycle. As vision problems tend to worsen with age, instilling small habits like this into our technology use can have a lasting impact.

Tips for Healthy Technology Use

  • Use blue-light glasses to protect your eyes, especially in the evenings, to reduce blue light’s harmful effects.
  • Set daily screen time limits to avoid overuse and allow your eyes to rest, preventing eye strain and digital fatigue.
  • Take frequent breaks from your devices, using the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
  • Prioritize non-digital activities like reading a book, gardening, or going for a walk to help maintain a well-rounded lifestyle.
  • Create a no-screen zone before bed to support better sleep by turning off devices at least an hour before bedtime.

By setting mindful intentions around your screen time, you’ll nurture your physical well-being and also open up more space for the activities and passions that truly fill your heart. It’s easy to get swept up in a digital daze, but how about pausing for a moment to reflect on what could bring more joy and mental clarity? There’s a whole world of possibilities waiting to be explored.

honey good with healthy use of technology key to longer life computer

A Positive Mindset is a Key to a Longer Life

You’ve probably heard the saying that laughing makes you live longer. But did you know that there is actually data behind the statement? In fact, a study from Norway found that women were at a 48% less risk of death from all causes when they had high scores on humor’s cognitive component.

Although this doesn’t mean we need to laugh at everything we hear, it does offer some perspective on how our mental health plays a factor in graceful aging. Maintaining a positive mindset as we age will look different for each of us, but finding healthy coping mechanisms when problems arise can help us better stand up to challenges or problems that arise in our lives. A great place to start living more positively is to practice gratitude daily. Reflecting on what we appreciate in our everyday lives can help put things into perspective. I recommend buying this beautiful journal and spending time each day journaling about things in your life that bring joy and gratitude.

key to longer life is positive mindset honey good with umbrella in the rain

Our Environment is a Key to a Longer Life

Similarly, surrounding ourselves with people, places, and things that bring us happiness also plays a role in remaining positive and having a long, happy life. Having a support base to encourage our goals, whether they are personal, physical, or career-focused is also a great source of motivation.

Here are Some Ways to Cultivate a Positive Mindset

  • Practice daily gratitude: Reflect on three things you’re grateful for each day to help shift your mindset toward positivity.
  • Surround yourself with positivity: Connect with people and places that bring you joy and peace.
  • Develop healthy coping mechanisms: Whether it’s meditation, journaling, or talking with a friend, find what works for you to handle challenges with grace.
  • Embrace humor: Find joy in the little moments and don’t take life too seriously—laughter really is good for the soul!
  • Set realistic goals: Achievable goals, both big and small, can give you purpose and a sense of fulfillment. Interested in improving your goal-setting skills? Check out my free eBook that will teach you how to set goals and achieve them!
    reach your goals, download Honey Good's new workbook to help with growth during transitions

    Reach your goals! Click here to download my free e-workbook.

Cut the Bad Habits and Embrace the Good

We all have our vices, and as we grow older, it may feel like we’re set in our ways. But here’s the truth—breaking free from those negative habits is something we can do at any age, and it’s never too late to start. Small, mindful changes can have a big impact on how we feel inside and out.

Some habits, like smoking or not exercising enough, are easy to spot, and the solutions are often clear. But what about the habits we don’t even realize are holding us back? Things like always putting others first and pushing our own needs aside are just as important to address when thinking about the keys to a longer life.

If you are trying to start or change or start habits, I highly recommend reading Atomic Habits by James Clear.

Honey Good leaning into car window key to longer life

Here’s How to Cut the Bad, and Nurture the Good

  • Start with small, simple shifts: You don’t need to overhaul your life overnight. Begin by focusing on one habit—whether that’s drinking more water, moving your body for a few minutes each day, or setting boundaries so you’re not spread too thin.
  • Swap the bad for the good: Instead of focusing on giving something up, think about what you’re gaining. Replace an evening of mindless TV with a relaxing bath or a walk. Small positive actions build momentum.
  • Put yourself first, unapologetically: Many of us are in the habit of caring for everyone else before ourselves. But here’s the thing—making you a priority isn’t selfish. When you invest in yourself, you’ll have more energy and love to give to those around you.
  • Create a nourishing routine: Build a routine that feels like a treat, not a task. Whether it’s morning meditation, stretching, or journaling, routines help create space for those small habits to grow.
  • Celebrate progress, not perfection: Keep track of your wins, even the tiny ones, and give yourself credit. Each step forward is a victory and a key to a longer life.
  • Be kind to yourself: If you slip up, don’t dwell on it. Acknowledge it, forgive yourself, and keep moving forward. Lasting change is about progress, not perfection.

Remember, small steps add up to big changes over time. But you have to start climbing the stairs! By investing in your well-being, you’ll become your best self—and that’s something that benefits not only you, but everyone you love.

We all strive to live longer, better lives. Doing so beautifully and healthfully can make the years more worthwhile. When thinking about wellness practices that increase longevity, consider your technology usage, mindset, and habits. You might be surprised by the extra level of fulfillment these keys to a longer life bring.

Products in this post that I recommend for a longer, healthier life. 

What do you do to achieve a better and healthier lifestyle? Let me know in the comments below. 

Have you visited my online shop The Honey Good Boutique? Click here to learn more.

* Honey Good gets commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

October 1, 2024

Passages After 50, Relationships, Wellness

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