British people living longer healthier says report

When historians of the future look back to the hundred years or so between the beginning of the 20th century and the beginning of the 21st century, one of the salient features of this period of time that theyre likely to marvel at is just how much the quality of peoples health changed over this time. And how it all happened despite a worldwide population boom.

To illustrate this more clearly, lets look at some figures, courtesy of the UK Parliaments "Trends in statistics since 1900" paper. Some of this stuff really is fascinating:

In 1901 baby boys were expected to live until the age of 45, while baby girls fared slightly better with an average life expectancy of 49.

In 2012? Well, lets just say things have improved dramatically - its now 78 for boys at birth and 82 for girls.

Lets bear in mind, though, that life expectancy is just a statistic, and that there were people born in 1901 who were still alive in 2001. But the averages do tell a story - while nobody can predict individual futures, as a society we started living longer and continue to increase our longevity. So my chances of living longer are better, although how long I actually do live is down partly to luck, environment, lifestyle, and other factors.

Things like individual health insurance, technological advance, enlightened attitudes towards nutrition - and also mental health - plus the availability of health and wellbeing information on the internet - all have their part to play as well.

Another thing to think about when looking at longevity statistics is that, again, theyre really just a number interms of what they say about the quality of life that people have. So, the 1901 figure of 45 for men may seem very low now - but on top of that even those who did outlive that number for some years may well have had one of the diseases that were widespread at the time.

Recently it was found that the healthy life expectancy of people in England has increased. This is the period of our older years where we expect to be free of ailments. The figure for Scotland is down slightly, however -believed to be in part due to higher rates of smoking and other lifestyle factors.

6 Resolutions for a Healthier Body

Often we have a plan to diligently exercise or avoid sugary foods as healthy resolutions next year. But too often the plan failed because it did not stand the temptation to eat ice cream every finished dinner, eating fast food, or prefer to watch a movie at the cinema than to join an aerobics class.

Achieve a healthy New Year resolution is a challenge for most people. The only way that can be achieved, is to make a realistic resolution. If you are a big fan of donuts or croissants, do not vow to not eat a bite too. Be honest with yourself, adjust your lifestyle to your ability. No need to make a resolution to exercise seven times a week when in reality you are too busy to go to the gym.

Instead of making resolutions that are too grandiose, better make plans easier.

1. Reduce Stress
Chronic stress can lead to hypertension, weakens the immune system and even shorten life expectancy. As much as possible, keep your mind from stress. How can the meditation classes, or aroma therapy. Intense meditation will give you supply enough energy to overcome the tough challenges of life every day.

If youre used to doing a myriad of tasks in the office so often off, have a team working to help you get the job done, so all office tasks are not only cost you. Occasionally, ask a sabbatical and travel out of town or country. As much as possible do not undertake tasks beyond your ability.

2. Eating Nuts
Forget potato chips, cheese sticks or cookies as a snack in the next year. Choose a healthier but no less tasty and delicious like nuts; almonds, walnuts, peanuts, hazelnuts or cashews. Nuts have been shown to lower cholesterol levels. The study, published in the journal "Circulation" found that people who eat two handfuls of almonds a day, bad cholesterol (LDL) in the blood up to 9.4 percent. Walnuts can even be down about 10 percent. Perhaps youre thinking of snacking nuts are more expensive than potato chips or cookies, but feel the results for your health. Better (and cheaper) to prevent than to cure it?

3. Increase Walking
Make walking a habit. Start the walk from the nearest distance as from home to the supermarket or car park at a distance so that you can walk for a while before it finally reached the destination. Walking for 30 minutes can improve heart health, bones, keep you from daily stress and thus burn more calories.

In fact according to a study conducted at Duke University, North Carolina, walking can reduce hypertension and reduce bad cholesterol levels. Expand walk in your daily life, and you will see the difference better.

4. Push-up Every Day
Push-up is a sport that is easy, inexpensive and effective way to nourish the body. Push-ups are one of the best strength exercises ever created. With a repetitive motion, you can train some muscles of the body as well as the chest, shoulders, arms, stomach and legs. Before the push-up, keep your body straight as a board, and then do the push-ups. Try to do 10 to 20 times per day. By running this simple habit, body strength and stamina will increase in no time.

5. High Fiber Diet
Dr Bhuvaneshwari Shankar, a registered dietitian from Apollo hospitals in India advised to eat fruits and vegetables more. These foods can improve digestion bowel movement and lower cholesterol levels. "Fiber can absorb the bad cholesterol (LDL) in the blood and get rid of excess. You can also eat oatmeal because they have the same function," he added.

6. Sleep is Enough
When you are falling asleep, your body produces a hormone that stimulates the production of collagen and elastin. Make skin look young and healthy, and maintain a healthy body. Lack of sleep will cause eye bags, dark circles under the eyes, dull skin and body lethargic. Go to sleep at least seven or eight hours a day.