Live Longer Healthier Happier

Sometimes it seems a select few are charmed with a stress-free perfect life. While this may be true for those so blessed, the rest of us must make conscious choices to ensure we live longer, healthier and happier.

There is no quick fix to living the best possible life. Rather, a variety of factors that are both physical and mental help ensure you live longer, healthier and happier. These are some of the ways you can get on a path to a longer, healthier and happier life.

• Maintain your health through proper nutrition and exercise.

Get moving: exercise helps you live longer, healthier and happier not only physically, but mentally. Whether you take a walk around the block to clear your head and relieve stress or hit the gym for a total body workout that gets the blood pumping, you'll be on your way to a longer, healthier and happier life. Exercise also helps to ward off a whole host of life-shortening health problems and diseases like obesity and complications thereof.

Eat right: You don't have to live a life of deprivation, but there really are no health benefits to eating high-fat, high-sugar diets. Keep these to a minimum, like a slice of cake on your grandchild's birthday. Stick to fresh fruits and veggies, and use nutritional supplements to make sure that your are getting the most out of your diet.

• Love yourself

Live Longer and Healthier blogger AZ John says that the most important step to living longer, healthier and happier is, "Loving yourself. No matter where you go, there you are ….. so enjoy being You!"

• Maintain good relationships, including those with your spouse

In an interview with Teri Walsh for Prevention Magazine, William J. Doherty, PhD, professor of family social science at the University of Minnesota in St. Paul and author of The Intentional Family: Simple Rituals to Strengthen Family Ties (Avon Paperback, 1999) says, "Research shows that happily married people are healthier, happier, richer, and live longer."

• Eliminate Stress

Eliminating stress is easier said than done, but it can be done. Understand your limitations and take lots of deep breaths when faced with a stressful task. If you find yourself stressed by certain situations, avoid them, or talk them through with a friend.

None of the changes are easy, but by following these tips can help you live, longer, healthier and happier.