Do you think longevity and growing old is like pulling the lucky straw? Well, you might be surprised to know that how long you live can come down to some notable factors.
One of the leading factors is physical function, which is defined as the ability to perform household chores or even go grocery shopping. The two runners-up factors were mental ability and a person’s smoking history (non-smokers fairing the best). Surprisingly, disease was not one of the main factors according to a long-term study by Duke Health dating back to 1980.
If you want to get on the good side of luck, may I suggest the following tips:
- Decide you want to become a healthy version of yourself. You may want to make a list of why
- you want to become healthier. Is it to see your grandchildren, to live the longest in your family, or to travel? You are the decider of your own destiny.
- Work on one longevity habit. Long-lasting friendships and relationships seem to be a strong factor in living longer. This can be done by calling or emailing a friend each day, starting a birthday list or scheduling a monthly get-together with friends.
- Plan to move, stay active and exercise each day. It could be 10 or 15 minutes but get up and get moving! Try standing during commercial breaks.
- Be positive about aging! Researcher Becca Levy states that you can increase your lifespan by 7½ years by having positive age beliefs and positive self-talk. Positive self-talk about aging can reduce levels of stress chemicals in the blood and make you feel happier.
- Define your purpose. Like positive self-talk, a sense of purpose can motivate you to stay healthier. In fact, it is one of the lifestyle pillars of health outlined in the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine.
- Save for the future. A strong financial foundation for your golden years can make things a little easier as you age. However, it is not too late if saving was not your main goal as a working or younger adult. You can look into part-time work or volunteerism to give you richer personal experiences.
- Reduce the amount of stress in your life. Stress is linked to chronic inflammation, which in turn can bring on chronic disease. Let go of things outside of your control. Try increasing forms of movement with yoga or tai chi, and tap into your creative side with music or art to make that stress go away!
- Avoid unhealthy behaviors. Stop smoking, drinking in excess, over medicating or taking recreational drugs. Get help if needed by dialing 211 or 988 for immediate crisis intervention.
- Create healthy sleep. Try to get seven to eight hours of sleep each night. Sleep is good for the body and brain and helps reduce stress.
- Choose healthy eating habits. As for healthy eating, strive for mindful, moderate eating and eat a variety of fruits and vegetables daily. I would strongly encourage you to check with your doctor before making dietary changes.
So, find your own four-leaf clover by adopting these tips and discover how lucky you can be in this aging game.