When it comes to longevity, good genes and luck may play a part, but there’s more to it than that. Forget miracle supplements and trendy diets, science has found that some basic lifestyle changes can make the difference between those who live until their golden years and those who don’t. Research has shown that adding these healthy habits to your routine could help add years to your life.
- Having strong relationships- “People who are in happier, more satisfying relationships live longer,” explains Dr. Robert Waldinger, director of the Harvard Study of Adult Development. The study, which has been going on for close to a century, follows the effects of life changes on longevity. One major finding? “The most important predictor of who was going to be a healthy, happy octogenarian was how satisfied they were in their relationships,” Waldinger says. Experts now consider social interaction as important to health as diet and exercise.
- Staying active- Speaking of exercise, getting it regularly is key for longevity. A recent study finds that men and women who take more than 9-thousand steps a day are about 70% less likely to die early than those who are less active.
- Maintaining a sense of purpose- Having a strong sense of purpose in life can help you stick around longer, according to a study that finds a link between it and a lower risk of dying from any cause after age 50. Researchers tracked 7-thousand adults over 50 for five years, finding that those with the lowest life-purpose scores are twice as likely to die than those with the highest scores.
- Managing stress- We all deal with stress from time to time, but chronic stress isn’t so great for the lifespan. A study from Finland finds that being under heavy stress can shorten men’s lives by 2.8-years and women’s by 2.3-years. It has to do with that extreme stress causing an inflammatory response in the body, which may increase the risk of cancer and heart disease.
- Avoiding red meat- Most people aren’t going to want to hear this, but research has found that eating more red meat is associated with a higher risk of dying from eight common diseases, including cancer, heart disease and diabetes. Health data from 537-thousand adults reveals that those who ate the most red meat had a 26% higher chance of dying than those who ate the least.
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