By Ken Keis

What are the ways to live longer in good health?

Modern society has not only helped us live longer, it has contributed to increasing our stress levels. In a recent survey by Northwestern Life, over 40% of workers reported their jobs to be “very or extremely stressful.”

Heart disease and cancer — two of the primary disease killers in North America — are more rampant than ever, as are pollution, damaging lifestyle choices, and poor diet.

What do we do about living longer in good health?

1. Take responsibility for your own health condition. Blaming others will not improve your health and it might increase your stress levels.

2. Establish your current health condition. Many of us take better care of our automobiles than we do ourselves. When was the last time you had a maintenance check-up? Have an annual physical check-up.

3. Another option is to complete a stress related self assessment. It can serve as a useful starting point to assist you in assessing your stress and health practices in five areas.

* Physical Health: Physical, Psychological, and Behavioral Symptoms

* Interpersonal Stress Factors

* Wellness Practices

* Nutritional Practices

* Occupational Stress

4. Think preventative wellness and nutritional balance, not drugs and medicine. Unfortunately, the majority of medical practitioners are trained to treat, not help prevent conditions. Medical training includes very little instruction on the nutritional effects on the human body. My many doctor friends agree that more must be done to include the preventative mindset in the medical community.

After my father almost died of a heart attack, the doctors put him on a low-fat, high-carb diet. The results of this approach increased his risk factors. After switching to a low-carb diet, he now is in better shape than he was 20 years ago.

5. Set-up a plan that will work for you and your life conditions and preferences. Be realistic.

6. Take action. This is one area where just thinking about it will not help us achieve the wellness levels we all want.

Health and safety losses cost billions each year in lost productivity and related expenses, not to mention the intangible personal costs. You have seen on the news where seemingly perfectly fit joggers die while running. Wellness issues apply to more than overweight and inactive individuals.

Health and wellness are your responsibility. After all, you will have to live with yourself for the rest of your life.

Ken Keis, MBA, CPC, is an internationally known author, speaker, and consultant. Learn more about him at http://kenkeis.com/