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Health and Fitness

Article Lists 9 Secrets to Long Life

By Leslee Jaquette

Courtesy nutrihealth.in
Courtesy nutrihealth.in

Not that long ago the Today Show hosts would read a list of people reaching their 100th birthdays. We all thought it was amazing and wonderful – and it was.
But these days it’s not unusual to hear about people living well beyond the centenary mark. Still, we are all interested in what leads to this sort of longevity in our culture. How can we live long and prosper?
In Time’s Healthy Aging website, Alexandra Sifferlin describes the findings on what makes for prosperous longevity in her article “9 Secrets to Living Longer.” Please read the entire article for all the details, but here are the 9 secrets in short form:
Your personality affects how long you’ll live. Be conscientious. These are the qualities of a prudent, persistent, well-organized person, who tend to make healthier choices.
Your diet matters. A lot.  The Mediterranean, that diet — which is high in fruits, vegetables, nuts, and healthy fats like olive oil —has been linked to a healthier older age, lower risk for heart disease, and even protection against memory loss.
Genetics are a factor too. If your parents had long lives, it doesn’t necessarily mean you will too, but there are likely some biological factors at play.
Staying in school will add a few years. Education is correlated with a longer life. People with a bachelor’s degree or higher live about nine years longer than people who don’t graduate high school possibly because they are more likely to land better jobs, plan for their future, and make healthier lifestyle choices.
Work stress isn’t bad for you, necessarily. Productive, hardworking people (even in old age) are not stressed and miserable, but tend to be happier, healthier, and more socially connected than their less productive peers.
But it helps to be mindful. There are some findings to suggest that being mindful can actually have effects on lifespan.
You don’t have to be a Pollyanna. People who are realistic consider all the possibilities.
Being social is critical. Having a strong social group is associated with a longer life. Some research even suggests that immune function is improved when we are around our friends, and that they help with stress regulation.
Sitting a lot is probably the worst thing you can do. Research shows that sitting for long bouts of time put people at risk for shorter lifespans and other health risks. A 2011 study found that each hour people spent sitting down and watching TV after age 25 was linked to a deduction of 22 minutes from their overall life expectancy.
How are you doing? Are you watching too much TV?