Let’s face it: no one wants to be the person who kicks the bucket early, especially when the neighbour who keeps giving you unsolicited advice is still going strong. The good news? Living longer isn’t about jumping on the latest health trends or doing juice cleanses. It’s about getting back to the basics—like the things your grandma did before everyone had Oura Rings and Wi-Fi.
But let’s start with something unsettling. In some parts of the world, this may be the first generation in a long time that doesn’t outlive their parents. Yep, you read that right. Life expectancy is expected to drop in places like the U.S., the U.K., and even Australia. Why? Because despite all our technology and advancements, our diets are worse, we’re more sedentary, and we’re stressed out of our minds. Add in a rise in chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and obesity, and you’ve got a recipe for shorter lifespans.
Countries that used to lead the pack in longevity are now seeing their younger populations struggle with health issues their grandparents never had to worry about. It’s a harsh reality, but the good news is, you don’t have to be part of that statistic. Let’s dive into some ancient, time-tested hacks for living longer, feeling better, and outliving the know-it-all down the street.
1. Eat Like Your Great-Great-Grandparents
Before food came in shiny packages with long, unpronounceable ingredients, people ate what they could grow, hunt, or catch. If you want to live a long, healthy life, animal-based nutrition should be your go-to. That means meat, fish, eggs, and dairy—all the delicious, nutrient-dense stuff that your body knows exactly how to process.
Why not go carb-crazy? Well, overloading on carbs—especially the processed kind—leads to blood sugar spikes, inflammation, and weight gain, all things that fast-track you toward an early exit. Stick to veggies or small amounts of seasonal fruit for your carbohydrate fix and keep it controlled (just because you had the oreo doesn't mean you have to throw in the towel and eat the entire packet!) It’s like carbs are the friend who’s great at a party but terrible to live with every day.
2. Ground Yourself (Literally)
You don’t have to be a hippie to appreciate the benefits of grounding. Walk barefoot on grass, dirt, or sand and connect yourself to the Earth’s natural energy. Ancient people did this all the time, and it turns out, it’s good for reducing inflammation, improving sleep, and just making you feel more human in a world full of Wi-Fi signals.
So, take your shoes off once in a while and reconnect with the planet. Bonus: it’s free, and it feels amazing. Consider it nature’s therapy.
3. Breathe Like You Mean It, but make sure it's clean!
We all breathe, but most of us aren’t doing it right. Breathwork, an ancient practice, can help calm your nervous system, reduce stress, and—let’s be honest—keep you from flipping out when someone cuts you off in traffic.
Try slowing down your breath. Inhale through your nose, exhale through your mouth. Breathe like you’re a zen master in a world gone mad. It’s an instant chill pill, and you don’t even have to leave your desk to do it
Let’s talk about something your grandma definitely didn’t have to worry about: environmental toxins. These days, we’re surrounded by them, and they’re sneaking into our homes in ways you might not expect. Those heavily-scented cleaning agents that promise to make your house sparkle? They’re often loaded with chemicals that can mess with your hormones and lungs. The cake nails—those long, shiny, fake nails you see everywhere? Many are made with harsh chemicals that leach into your body through your nail beds. And don’t even get me started on vaping. Sure, it’s marketed as a “healthier” alternative to smoking, but the reality is, it’s pumping toxins directly into your lungs and could be doing long-term damage we don’t fully understand yet.
If you want to live longer, start detoxing your environment. Switch to natural cleaning products, rethink that manicure, and put down the vape. Your body will thank you in the long run..
4. Let There Be (Natural) Light
Natural light is your body’s best friend. Our ancestors lived their days in sync with the sun, and their bodies thrived because of it. Artificial lighting, on the other hand, can wreak havoc on your sleep, energy levels, and overall health. If you can, spend more time outside or near windows during the day.
If you’re lucky enough to have an open fire in your home, congratulations—you’ve got an ancient tool for relaxation and well-being at your fingertips. Firelight is not just a great alternative to harsh artificial lighting, but the warmth and glow of an open fire have been shown to lower blood pressure and reduce stress. Whether it’s gathering around with friends or just staring into the flames, it’s a deeply therapeutic and primal way to reconnect with your roots. Plus, it just feels cozy, and who doesn’t want that?
5. Sunbathe—Without the Burn
Want to supercharge your health? Get some sunlight. Just 15-20 minutes of daily exposure can give you all the vitamin D you need to keep your bones strong, your immune system sharp, and your mood elevated. But don’t go overboard—no one’s suggesting you fry yourself. Think of it as sunbathing responsibly, like our ancestors did. A little goes a long way.
6. Drink (Water) Like a Champ
Dehydration is the enemy of longevity. The solution? Drink more water. It doesn’t need to be infused with unicorn tears or bottled in a designer container. Just plain old water does the trick. Ancient people didn’t have fancy sports drinks, but they stayed hydrated by drinking when thirsty and eating water-rich foods like fruits and vegetables.
Add a pinch of sea salt to your water occasionally to keep your electrolytes balanced, just like your great-great-grandparents did (minus the marketing hype).
7. Become the Expert of You
Let’s talk about one of life’s biggest health problems: fear. Fear of getting sick, fear of aging, fear of not knowing what’s going on with your own body. Here’s the thing—you need to become the expert of your own health. That means paying attention to how food, movement, and rest make you feel.
When you understand your body and what it needs, you’ll stop running to Google every time you feel a twinge. The more you tune in to yourself, the less you’ll live in fear. And fear, let me tell you, is a fast track to aging. Knowing your body is like having a built-in cheat sheet to living longer, stress-free, and feeling in control of your health.
8. Move Like You Were Designed To
You don’t need a gym membership to live longer (although gyms are great). What you do need is to move—and move often. Humans evolved as active creatures, so sitting all day just doesn’t cut it.
Walk, lift, stretch, run—just do something every day. Ancient people moved naturally throughout their daily lives, whether hunting, gathering, or just living. They didn’t have fitness apps, but they stayed strong, agile, and fit. You can do the same.
9. Cut the Crap (Literally)
Let’s be blunt: processed foods are garbage. If you’re eating things that come in packages with more ingredients than you can count, you’re doing it wrong. The closer your food is to its natural state, the better. Think meat, eggs, butter, and vegetables.
Ancient humans didn’t eat “low-fat” or “sugar-free” anything. They ate real food that nourished their bodies. Do the same, and you’ll start to feel like a better version of yourself, and probably live longer too.
10. Sleep Like You’re Getting Paid For It
Sleep isn’t just something you do to kill time between Netflix episodes—it’s essential for not dying early. Seriously, good sleep is like hitting the reset button on your brain and body. But somehow, in this fast-paced world, we’ve convinced ourselves that sleep is for the weak. Spoiler: It’s not. It’s for the smart.
Here’s the deal: If you’re not getting 7-9 hours of solid, drool-on-the-pillow sleep every night, your body’s throwing a tantrum behind the scenes. Your hormones go haywire, your stress skyrockets, and you end up aging like an avocado left in the sun.
So, what’s the trick to better sleep? Get off your phone (the blue light is messing with your melatonin), make your room as dark as a cave, and lower the temperature (your body likes it cool at night). Oh, and remember when I mentioned natural light earlier? Getting some sunshine during the day helps regulate your sleep cycle, so you’ll fall asleep faster than a kid after a long day at the park.
Think of sleep as your secret weapon to outlive everyone, and you won’t feel guilty for hitting the snooze button anymore.
The Bottom Line: Life’s Simple, Don’t Overcomplicate It
Want to outlive the know-it-all down the street? Forget the fads and get back to basics. Eat real food, move your body, get outside, and enjoy natural light (and maybe a good fire). Tune in to yourself, cut out the junk, and stop living in fear of aging. Life’s short—but it doesn’t have to be shorter than necessary. Stick with these ancient practices, and you’ll add years to your life—and life to your years.
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