We recently posted about shrinking life expectancy in the USA. Another recent article emphasized that it’s worse than previously thought. But there is hope.
A large study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that those practicing Life’s Essential 8 live longer and ward off chronic diseases such as cardiac/heart disease, cancer, and dementia. The study conducted in the UK, had 135,199 middle age and older adults. Although the study had limitations, the results were still significant.
Life’s Essential 8 is a list of healthy habits promoted by the American Heart Association (AHA). Although the 8 take effort and require fostering habits, they should be familiar to all. First, full disclosure: we gave some of these our wording spin…
- Eat Nutritious and REAL Food
- Be Active
- Don’t Smoke or Vape and avoid secondhand smoke.
- Get Enough Sleep (7-8 hours)
- Let Go of YoYo Dieting, Enjoy Food that Nourishes You, and Listen to Your Body! (Okay, our spin on this one!)
- Get Your Cholesterol Checked and Maintain Levels Within Healthy Limits
- Monitor and Maintain a Healthy Blood Sugar as Recommended
- Monitor and Maintain a Healthy Blood Pressure as Recommended
In our previous blogs we added +1 to the Essential 8, AND then + More: Life’s Essential 8+1 and 9+… These pluses are essential to well-being!
- + 1 – Manage Stress
- + More – Practice Compassion, Kindness, and Gratitude
The Life Essential 8++ can and should be incorporated into your current wellness program as part of a safe and sound workplace. Changing habits takes time and support but is not only possible, but very much worth the effort! Habit changing and supportive initiatives assist employees to feel better, enhance well-being, and age disease free! Of course, the foundation is a culture of organization well-being — a workplace that places people first and ensures a safe and sound work environment.