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The more you find to laugh about, the longer
you may live. “Studies show laughter boosts
natural killer cells and antibodies to illness,”
says neuroimmunology expert Deborah
Hodgson. Norwegian research has also found
that people with a good sense of humour
live longer and if they do come down with a
disease like cancer, their tendency to see the
lighter side of life helps them survive longer
and happier.
USE IT: Tickle your guy; hire an Adam
Sandler film; sit on the couch and sing silly
duets with your flatmate; devise a humorous
answering machine message; set up a
laughter corkboard at home or work and
cover it with funny clippings, sayings, cartoons
and photos.
TRAVEL
Okay, not literally, but anchoring your
diet with the culinary staples of the
Meditaerranean can reduce cancer risk.
Oleic acid in olive oil may be as effective as
medication in killing some cancer-causing
proteins, particularly in breast cancer,
according to University of Chicago research.
So widen your cooking repertoire so that
you eat like you’re kicking back in Majorca
or Crete.
PAMPERING PRESCRIPTION: Ta k e
your tastebuds on a Mediterranean holiday
without ever leaving your kitchen. For dinner,
tuck in to foods like dolmades, spanakopita,
paella, grilled octopus and salad or lamb
with ratatouille and polenta. For lunch throw
together a platter of pita bread served with
bruschetta, tatziki, feta cheese, hummus and
olives. And for dessert? Indulge in fresh figs
drizzled with yoghurt and honey.BASK
“Enjoying 10 minutes of exposure to sunlight
boosts levels of melatonin,” says Michael
Kimlin, a professor in cancer research.
“Women with the lowest melatonin levels have
a higher incidence of breast cancer, shows
research.” The take-home message? Make
sure you get enough direct sunlight. When
you soak up those golden rays you also absorb
vitamin D, which has protective effects against
breast cancer.
USE IT: Indulge in a 10-minute sunbath
every day. Do it while eating your breakfast al
fresco on the balcony or during a 10-minute
walk in the afternoon.GIVE A LITTLE
Take the time and energy to offer friends
support, help little old ladies across the street
and drop a meal to a sick neighbour. It will
increase your chances of longevity. A study bythe University of Michigan found that people
who are helpful to others were 60 per cent
less likely to die from any cause over the next
five years. That means that your kindness will
protect you against breast cancer and other
illnesses as well.
USE IT: Do nice things for others and enjoy
how good this makes you feel about yourself.
Send a girlfriend a card to say you love her,
help that tired mum get her kids on the bus
and ask the sales assistant how her day has
been. While you’re at it, be more generous
in the way you think about people as well.
Steer clear of gossip, sarcasm, bitching and
criticising. Instead find something kind to
say about everyone. “Negative comments
encourage us to release brain chemicals, which
promote a stress response in our body, while
positive thoughts have the opposite effect –
promoting chemicals that enhance feelings of
calm and wellbeing,” says Hodgson.WALK IT OFF
Not the gym type? Don’t sweat it. Studies show
that your breast cancer risk can be halved
simply by walking a few hours a week. If you
want to lower your risk even further, aim to
walk an hour a day. For women who have
already been diagnosed with breast cancer,
walking for 30 minutes every day also has
plenty of benefits and can significantly cut the
chances of the cancer recurring.