Longevity is a daily pursuit. It’s often the smallest changes and habits that have the most significant impact over time. Doing one thing better today can lead to more tomorrows.

If you’re ready to live your life to the fullest, here are some simple-yet-amazing ways to improve your life expectancy.

Don’t Skip Screening Appointments

When it comes to disease treatment and prevention, early detection is everything. That’s why it’s so important— for women, in particular— to attend screening appointments. Whether it’s annual Well Woman appointments or age-related screening (such as mammograms and scopes), attending these appointments can be the difference between life and death.

For those who need extra motivation, Humana health insurance has a rewards program in place for those who attend their early screenings and make healthy habit changes.

Prioritize Stress Management

Stress is a silent killer. It wreaks havoc on hormones and is connected to the development of numerous chronic diseases. Unfortunately, stress is a normal part of life. However, when it becomes a constant state of existence, stress can do a lot of damage.

Put stress management practices in place. Whether it’s going for daily walks, practicing mediation, or working with a counselor to vent your frustrations, learning to manage stress in a healthy manner is essential for longevity.

Reduce Toxins

The fewer toxins your body comes in contact with, the better your chances of a long and healthy life. Consider the internal toxins, such as food additives, smoking, and alcohol, when trying to make healthy changes. While there’s nothing wrong with sharing wine with friends or having some chocolate after dinner, these practices should be occasional rather than dominating your existence.

Once you’ve addressed internal toxins, look at the potential chemical touchpoints in your home. Replace chemical cleaners and cosmetics with natural, body-safe alternatives.

Make Time to Move Daily

Humans live largely sedentary lifestyles. Even if you have an exercise routine, prolonged periods of sitting are bad for the body.

Make time to move every day, even if it’s just ten minutes of roaming around each hour. Force yourself to push a little harder and go a little farther by parking away from the door, taking the stairs, and setting a timer to get moving.

Set Healthy Boundaries

Our health and wellness is about more than what we eat and how much we exercise; it’s about the people we surround ourselves with. Be bold and set healthy relationship boundaries with the people in your life. Know when you’ve had enough and stick to your guns. Don’t feel obligated to agree with things and make strides to cut ties with those who no longer serve your life’s purpose.

Focus on Small Habit Changes

We have a tendency to take an all-or-nothing approach to health and wellness. This approach inevitably fails, as humans aren’t designed for rapid change.

Whether your goal is to eat more vegetables or exercise regularly, the key to success is focusing on small habit changes. For example, focus on adding vegetables to your meals until that becomes second nature. Then, consider replacing some processed foods with a healthier alternative until that becomes normal.

Remember the fable of the tortoise and the hare when seeking to improve your life expectancy: slow and steady wins the race.

Process Your Emotions

Bottling up your emotions and never being able to let go of bad things that have happened is a form of chronic stress. That repressed anger and sadness will derail your dreams of a happy, fulfilled life.

Learn how to identify and process your emotions so that you can let go of the past and look ahead to a brighter future. Consider seeking professional help to learn the coping strategies you need to move on.

If you want to live a long and healthy life, you need to fuel both your body and mind. The World Health Organization once said, “without mental health, there can be no true physical health.” Take a holistic approach to your wellness to contribute to a longer life.