Are you ready to live to live well and thrive to 100 and beyond?
We all want more stamina. We want to do more, feel more, love more, be more, give more and sail across the seas of life. Sometimes there are rough seas while others will be serene and calm. With a lot of stamina, all the ripples we experience seem minimal. One of the great characteristics of centenarians is that they don’t hold a grudge. So, here is a simple plan that works even when the, you know what, hits the fan! Do these things everyday and watch your energy become stronger and more vibrant.
The action plan – 5 steps.
Sleep right – There are studies and studies about how much we need to sleep. It’s one of the most important factors in our well being. Make it a regular practice to sleep at least 7 hours each night, unless of course you’re an infant in which case you should be getting 15 hours. See the latest study from the National Sleep Foundation with over 2 years of data.
Eat right – This is different for everyone. You may prefer Vegan or Paleo, but I recommend you eat more vegetables and fruits, less processed foods, less simple carbohydrates and the appropriate amount of proteins and fats. Ultimately you have to find out what works for you. Food is fuel and it will help or hurt your energy levels. It’s important to understand which foods help you and which hurt you. A simple elimination diet is always a great place to start. Take everything away except for fruits and veggies for one week, then begin adding in all those other things you love. i.e. sugar, caffeine, alcohol, etc. See how each one feels for you and how it makes you feel. Then decide, consciously, whether to keep it or give it up.
Exercise regularly – I can say this until I’m blue in the face, but if you don’t move it you’ll lose it. I remember being at my regular ocean swim once. The fog was so thick you couldn’t see the buoy 250 meters off shore. Being the jokester that I am, I said to an older Asian man, “It’s feeding time for the sharks. I’ll go in and see if they’re biting. If I come back, you’ll know it’s safe!” He laughed and said, “I’m definitely not going in that water!”
Two weeks later I saw him at the Malibu Triathlon. It was the Olympic distance race which is about a mile swim, 25 mile bike ride and a 10k or 6.2 mile run. I asked him how old he was. “Seventy-nine,” he told me. I was astonished. I said, “Wayne, I want to be you when I grow up!” He said, “Just keep on doing what you’re doing. You may slow down, but you’ll still be doing it!” Thanks Wayne!
Spend less than you make. We all have different financial goals and you should definitely be true to yours. Some people want to make billions while others just want security. There is an old adage that says, “Make $100, spend $101 that equals suffering. Make $100, spend $99 this equals happiness.” What we know to be true is that we must live within our means. I’m not saying to refrain from borrowing for your house, car, business, education, but always make sure to live within your means. You’ll be much happier and far less stressed if your finances are in order and you have some cushion when life throws you the unexpected.
Give more and love! All the great saints and sages will tell you the same thing. If you want to be happy, give more or serve more. It’s a simple plan, but many of us forget. We get so caught up in our own lives and we miss the opportunity to serve others. There is nothing like helping someone in need. From your family members to friends to local or international charities. A great suggestion if you’re interested is my friend’s GO Campaign. They help under privileged children throughout the world.
Do a little of each one of these every day and begin to watch your life blossom. Your energy will be stronger, you will feel better and you will become attracted to the things you love to do which will create a wonderful momentum in your life. Yes, there will be times that life gets you down, but you must brush off your negativity, get back into the game and keep on moving forward! I’m happy to help, just shoot me a message @teddymcdonald
Photo Credit: flickr.com/MichaelHavens