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- Bestselling author and integrative medicine pioneer Deepak Chopra, MD, was one of the earliest voices to argue that aging is optional.
- Bulletproof Founder Dave Asprey recently asked Chopra how long he plans to stay in his current body.
- Chopra’s answers involve pushing your mind and body, upgrading on your diet, and changing your perceptions of age.
- These keys to longevity belong in any biohacker’s toolkit.
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What would you do to ensure you live a long and thriving life? If you follow the Bulletproof Diet, you already know the benefits of optimizing your diet, hacking your sleep, and upgrading your performance.
At the 2018 XPrize Visioneering Summit, Bulletproof Founder Dave Asprey asked integrative medicine pioneer Deepak Chopra, MD, how long he plans to stay in his current body.
According to Chopra, the keys to longevity are simpler than you might think.
Related: Hack Your Longevity to Look Younger, Feel Stronger, and Think Clearly
5 keys to longevity, according to Deepak Chopra
1. Learn one thing every day
Chopra starts every day with the following affirmation: “Every day, and every way, I’m increasing my physical and mental capacity.” He says he pushes himself to learn one new thing every day, which increases his mental capacity.
When was the last time you stepped outside of your comfort zone and tried something new? Whether it’s trying a unique food, learning an unfamiliar word, or experimenting with a different workout routine, new experiences are scientifically proven to make you happier.
Happier people have more fun, feel more gratitude, and live longer lives.[ref url=”http://science.sciencemag.org/content/331/6017/542″] Talk about a win-win.
Related: How to Hack Your Happiness
2. Take a deep breath
Inhale. Exhale. Chopra recommends taking deep breaths because “both deep sleep and meditation is a tool for resting.” Deep breathing can help you calm down when you’re feeling stressed, and studies have found that deep breathing can even improve your attention span and focus.
Stress is hard on your body. It weakens your immune system, messes with your hormones, and shortens your lifespan. To find your moment of zen, check out these deep breathing exercises to calm down from every situation.
3. Do something physical every day
Your body was built to move. Challenging yourself to engage in regular exercise can slow down the effects of aging,[ref url=”https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/03/180308143123.htm”] which is why Chopra challenges himself to push his physical capacity every day.
That doesn’t mean hitting the gym for an hour daily. (In fact, you only need about 20 minutes, 2 to 3 times per week to benefit from exercise.)
Chopra engages in activities that support his mind-body connection, like doing one extra stretch, holding one extra yoga pose, or taking an extra 100 steps on top of the 10,000 steps he takes every day.
Go on a walk outdoors. Use a foam roller. Swim with your best friend. Do something daily that gets your blood flowing and brings you joy.
4. Feed your body
Chopra says, “Focus on nutrition which is ideal for your microbiome and anti-inflammatory.” Food is fuel, and when you nourish your body with nutrient-dense foods that taste great, you’re supporting the systems that keep your engines running and your mind sharp.
Turn back time by eliminating inflammatory foods like gluten and dairy, filling your plate with organic vegetables and grass-fed protein, and boosting your gut bacteria.
The Bulletproof Diet is a great place to start. Learn more about the Bulletproof Diet here.
5. Understand that age is just a number
The biggest secret to longevity? Understand that age is just a number.
“There is biological age, there is chronological age, and there’s psychological age,” Chopra says. “We have lots of studies now that show that you can alter even genetic activity that has to do with aging.” One of the ways you can alter genetic activity is by protecting your telomeres — the endcaps of your chromosomes that protect your cells. Learn more about the science of telomeres and aging.
Chopra says that longevity depends on changing your perceptions and expectations of what you think aging is. If you want to stay 21 forever, you’re going to be disappointed. But if you want to thrive, kick ass, and enjoy your life for years to come, you can take actions today so you’ll live longer — and better. Find out how you can biohack your body right now.
“As you grow older, you can hack the biology of youth and still benefit from the wisdom of experience,” Chopra says. And really, that’s what biohacking is all about: pushing your limits so you can take control of your body, mind, and life.
