Every person in this materialistic world wants to increase longevity, whatever lifestyle they enjoy. These people forget their past karma, which means what they have done in their earlier days. Due to our past karma, we suffer from various diseases and thereby lose our longevity. Various researchers have indicated various reasons for this, but one of the most important aspects is lifestyle. If we can change our lifestyle, we can achieve our goal of increasing longevity.
With this question in mind, I wondered about various places to meet the saints, sadhus, and yogis who lived hundreds of years without any disease and who conquered the secrets of death. Different saints, Sadhus, and Yogis opined differently, but one of them who lived 250 years or more in the Himalayan region, taught his disciples the secrets of how to increase longevity.
I met one of the most prominent disciples in the Himalayan Region in Uttarakhand (In India) who lived 185 years and recently left for a heavenly abode on his will. He questioned me, who enjoys a longer life without any effort in this materialistic world. He answered that the tortoise is the longest-living animal in this world.
He further asked, Why do they live such a long time? He answered this question—because they breathe more slowly than any other animal. The fastest-breathing animals live a shorter life, and those who breathe slowly live a longer life. So, if we can minimize our breathing gap, we can increase our longevity. The Yogi advised that Pranayama is the best way to increase longevity along with some lifestyle changes.
The revolution in healthcare has widely stirred around the world to propagate how we approach health and wellness. “Lesser the disease” is one definition of good health, but building health proactively is now a new mantra. From the do n’t-die call of Bryan Johnson to our various Yoga gurus who are actively propagating longevity promotion.
Longevity is not simply adding to more years but it’s about adding life to those years. Add some small honest efforts to change your lifestyle to enhance your health span. Here are small tips on how you can achieve your target.
Control Mind: In Shrimad Bhagwat Gita Chapter 6, we learned that “ It is not possible for anyone with an uncontrolled mind; this is my opinion. But, for one with a controlled mind who strives intelligently, it is possible to attain the objective.” Therefore, the importance to be given to control mind first.
Prioritize your balanced and healthy diet: The ancient wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita by Lord Krishna and Ayurveda as per Charak Samhita plays a pivotal role is guiding us towards a holistic and balanced lifestyle. Passing down through generations, these teachings often include dietary recommendations aimed at promoting physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. One such invaluable piece of advice, shared by my grandmother and deeply rooted in Ayurvedic principles, emphasizes steering clear of foods that are bitter, too sour, very hot, pungent, dry, and laden with chilies. A simple and balanced diet is necessary for maintaining our disease-free health.
Avoid harmful substances: If you want to enhance your longevity, you should avoid harmful substances, viz., avoid smoking, avoid excessive alcoholic substances, avoid exposure to toxins and pollutants that are abundant in the air, choose natural cleaning, and use personal care products whenever necessary. Toxins in the air enhance the cell damage in the body and thereby increase the diseases that shorten the life expectancy.
Stay physically active: To stay physically active, engage in regular exercise, which is an essential component for longevity-boosting. Physical activity like various types of workouts such as running, jogging, walking, swimming, dancing, jump roping rowing, etc. improves heart health, lung capacity, and endurance.
Another most important tool for enhancing longevity is to practice Yoga which plays a very significant role in maintaining a healthy weight and improving cardiovascular health. There are various types of yogasanas available in the market. You can choose any one of them.
Pranayama (breath control) plays a very important role in an individual’s overall well-being. By regular practice of Pranayama, an individual can harness his power of breath to improve their overall well-being to pave the way for a longer and healthier life.
Pranayama has three aspects:
Rechaka (exhalation), Puraka (inhalation), and Kumbhaka (retention of breath). There is another mode of pranayama which is called Kevala Kumbhaka (spontaneous breath retention). This is an advanced stage of pranayama which occurs during the higher stage of meditation. In this stage, the lungs stop their activity and the respiration ceases. At this time, the veil which prevents one from seeing the subtle aspects of existence is lifted, and a higher vision of reality is attained.
The most important part of Pranayama is Kumbhaka (breath retention). To attain this state, there must be a gradual development of control over the function of respiration. Therefore, in Pranayama, more emphasis is given to inhalation, exhalation, and retention. During this retention period, a performer operates his inhalation and exhalation through the Vertebral Column by performing Khechari Mudra (the highest level of Mudra).
In this state, a performer pushes back his tongue behind the palate and places the tongue tip into the nasal cavity and lastly, the tongue tip reaches over the nasal cavity to stop breathing through nostrils. This Khechari Mudra enables the Yogi to overcome disease and death. In this way, a man can attain a higher longevity.
Preventive health care promotes longevity:
Preventive care detects early threats to life, which reduces life-threatening conditions and promotes longevity. Therefore, we should start check-ups at a regular interval and stay up-to-date on vaccinations and screenings. We should proactively manage any kind of chronic condition with proper advice from a medical practitioner.
Optimizing sleep also promotes longevity.
Sleeping is another important factor in cell repair, hormone regulation, and mental clarity. Therefore, we should aim for 7-8 hrs. quality sleep, make a consistent sleep schedule, create a sleep-friendly environment, maintain comfortable bedding, avoid screening, and take stimulants like caffeine before bedtime. In this way, we can also enhance our longevity.
Mental wellness promotes longevity:
Chronic stress reduces longevity by weakening the immune system. Mental wellness promotes flexibility and overall health. We can achieve this by practicing stress management, meditation, engaging in joyful activities, relaxation, spending time in nature, and taking medical help wherever necessary.
Strong social connection promotes longevity:
Several scientific studies indicate strong social connection reduces the risk of chronic illness and mental health and thereby enhances longevity. Therefore, we should spend time with family and friends, join a community group or engage in volunteer work, communicate freely, and nurture meaningful connections.
Reduces Screentime and Digital Overload:
Excessive screen exposure reduces sleep time; and reducing screen exposure can improve mental health and overall satisfaction, thereby promoting longevity. We achieve this by limiting screen time before bedtime, taking a regular break from our devices,, and practicing digital detoxification.
Conclusion:
Lifespan promotion transforms from a health craze to a lifestyle revolution as 2025 draws near. Prioritizing preventative care, mental health, regular exercise, and a balanced diet may help us live longer and better lives. Scientific discoveries and an increasing focus on holistic health have shown that living longer does not always mean living less vibrantly.
Longevity is not about quick fixes or miracle treatments, but about making conscious, consistent decisions that sustain your body and mind over time. Whether you’re creating little habits like exercising, eating thoughtfully, or spending time with loved ones, every action you take improves the quality of your years.
This is the right time to act now. Right now, you should assess your current lifestyle and make a meaningful change today—whether it’s adding more vegetarian diet to your plate, taking a daily walk, starting yoga, or dedicating time to rest and recovery. Remember, the key to longevity lies in progress, not perfection.
FAQ:
Question: 1 – Will 2025 be the year of longevity promotion?
Ans: The year 2025 is going to be a game changer in respect of longevity promotion. Starting from the Don’t Die call of John Bryan to several spiritual gurus promises to be the year of longevity promotions.
Question No. 2: How can a healthy lifestyle improve longevity & quality of life?
Ans: Modification in a healthy lifestyle like controlling the mind, changing in balanced and healthy diet, avoiding intoxication like smoking and alcoholism, getting quality sleep, and avoiding unnecessary mental tension can improve longevity and quality of life.
Question No. 3: Should longevity be a limitation?
Ans: The concept of longevity—a long and healthy life—is everyone’s desire. However, whether longevity itself should be considered a limitation depends on how it is approached and valued in society.
Question 4: Is longevity a boon or a limitation?
Ans: There is no limit to longevity. Several yogis live 100, 200, and 500 years and keep themselves healthy as per our ancient scripters. They die as per their will. But in today’s world, it becomes one only when the pursuit of a long life overshadows the importance of living well
