Laurette Willis: Seven Secrets to Living Long and STRONG!

By Laurette Willis, CHC, Director of PraiseMoves, LLC

“With long life I will satisfy him, and show him My salvation.” (Psalm 91:16)

In Japan, life expectancy is over 82 years of age, and in most of the western world the average life expectancy is 78 to 80 years of age.

When the first United States census was taken in 1790, only two percent of the U.S. population was over 65. By 1900, the average American lifespan was only 47. People who make it to 100 and beyond are no longer considered freaks of nature. There are approximately 55,000 centenarians in the U.S., and perhaps as many as 450,000 worldwide.

Is it unreasonable to expect to live to be 120, as the Bible states? “And the Lord said, ‘My Spirit shall not strive with man forever, for he is indeed flesh; yet his days shall be one hundred and twenty years.’” (Genesis 6:3)

What about the scripture that mentions 70 to 80 years of age? That was considered part of the curse of being in the wilderness, not a blessing.

“The days of our lives are seventy years; And if by reason of strength they are eighty years, Yet their boast is only labor and sorrow; For it is soon cut off, and we fly away.” (Psalm 90:10)

A footnote to Psalms 90 in The Amplified Bible explains: “This psalm is credited to Moses, who is interceding with God to remove the curse which made it necessary for every Israelite over twenty years of age (when they rebelled against God at Kadesh-barnea) to die before reaching the promised land (Numbers 14:26-35).

“Moses says most of them are dying at 70 years of age. This number has often been mistaken as a set span of life for all mankind. It was not intended to refer to anyone except those Israelites under the curse during that particular forty years. Seventy years never has been the average span of life for humanity. When Jacob, the father of the twelve tribes, had reached 130 years (Genesis 47:9), he complained that he had not attained to the years of his immediate ancestors. In fact, Moses himself lived to be 120 years old, Aaron 123, Miriam several years older, and Joshua to 110 years of age. Note as well that in the Millennium a person dying at 100 will still be thought a child (Isaiah 65:20).”

“If I’d Known I Would Live this Long, I Would’ve Taken Better Care of Myself!”

We want to live long in order to complete all the Lord has called us to do. We also want to live stronger and healthier. It’s the second part that is giving many people trouble. But it doesn’t have to be that way!

Read on for Laurette’s seven secrets. ..

Longevity experts say that while genetics may play a factor in our living long and strong, lifestyle habits, nutrition and exercise play a bigger factor.

Here are seven secrets that can dramatically increase the probability you will live long and strong:

1. STRESS – Control it.  When you’re under stress, your body releases cortisol, known as the stress hormone. Cortisol speeds up aging by accelerating body processes.

Want to know how to alleviate stress? Listen to my free Christian Meditation Seminar recorded for you here: praisemoves.com/2013/05/christian-meditation-seminar.

You’ll learn how to control your responses to stress. Events themselves are not stressful; it is our response that causes problems.

2. SLEEP – it’s more than just for beauty. As you age, deep, restorative sleep may become harder to experience. Avoid caffeine and stimulants a few hours before bedtime. Magnesium supplements before bedtime can help relax you and prepare you for sleep.

3. LAUGHTER – “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine!” Laughter reduces blood pressure, clears the lungs, and produces endorphins, the so-called happy hormone that reduces pain.

Be more like a child! The average child laughs 300 times a day. Adults average only 17 times! Researchers are finding that laughter and joy help keep us alive. Remember, “The JOY of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10).

What would Jesus laugh at? Realize that many of the things the world thinks are funny really are not funny at all. Thing such as people physically hurting themselves, ridicule and mockery, subjecting people to embarrassment or shame, animals relieving themselves—these are not really funny, but we’ve been programmed over the last few decades to believe they are humorous. Hey, I’ve laughed at some of them, too! But I’ve since found a “check” in my spirit when laughing at some of these things the world promotes as funny

The Lord has a wonderful sense of humor. Ask HIM what He finds funny (and be prepared to laugh a lot!)

4. EXERCISE. Your body desires to move at every age. Fifties, 60’s, 70’s, 80’s? Research shows that it’s never too late to start exercising. In fact, if you’re a bit older starting out with exercise, you will have faster results than those who have been active all their lives. The key is finding an activity you enjoy and making it part of your daily routine—like PraiseMoves!

5. REACH OUT. Studies show that people live longer if they are married, have close friends, or have pets. Volunteer at church or in the community. Make a decision to meet more people. There’s nothing wrong with being alone, but we want to avoid social isolation. People need what only you can share!

6. BRAIN POWER. I remember hearing years ago that the brain could not regenerate. Not true! Now doctors know that you stimulate your brain by learning new things, forming new connections in the brain. Memorize a different scripture every other day, take up a new hobby, learn a new language, or try a new fitness routine. Do something in a different way than you usually do!

7. PRAISE the Lord and Give Him Thanks. Pay attention to the now moment. Stop and thank the Lord for your life. Ask Him what He would have you do at that moment (He usually impresses upon my heart the words, “Praise Me!”) This is for your benefit, not His!

Say Psalm 103 aloud with me and just watch what happens to how you feel!

Bless the Lord, O my soul;
And all that is within me, bless His holy name!
^2 Bless the Lord, O my soul,
And forget not all His benefits:
^3 Who forgives all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases,
^4 Who redeems your life from destruction,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,
^5 Who satisfies your mouth with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

The Lord loves you so much! Live long and strong IN HIM!

To help YOU “Live Long & Strong” get a free copy of the “Ten Bad Foods List” plus a free Self-Health Evaluation you can take online, by contacting Laurette Willis at praisemoves@gmail.com .

Laurette is a Certified Health Coach, published author, and Founder of PraiseMoves Fitness Ministry. You may contact Laurette at the email address above, 918-458-1800 or www.PraiseMoves.com. Join Laurette at www.Facebook.com/LauretteWillisPage ©2015

First published in SGN Scoops November  2015

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