The "fountain of youth" is a popular fantasy. But you may hold the power of the fountain of youth in your own hands. Your habits, food choices, activity level and stress level can all have a serious and lasting effect on your longevity. By knowing which factors can affect the length of your life and harnessing your power, you can live a longer, healthier and more fulfilling life.
Lose Weight
Being overweight can do more than just lower your self-confidence; it can actually endanger your health and shorten your life. When you're carrying extra weight, you're at a higher risk for heart disease, stroke, heart attack, type 2 diabetes and high cholesterol, all which can lead to severe illness and even death. By eating less and restricting your calories to no fewer than 1,200 calories per day for women and 1,500 calories per day for men, according to Medline Plus, you can lose weight, improve your health and lengthen your life.
Exercise More
Exercising can help you manage your weight, but it can also help you keep your body working properly and your mood elevated. Exercising at least two hours and 30 minutes each week, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, can help your body function better. A study published in a 2008 issue of "Archives of Internal Medicine" found that men who exercised throughout their lives had a better chance of reaching 90 years of age and enjoyed a better quality of life -- including better health, vitality and mood. Keep your body moving, and it may reward you by working longer.
Keep a Positive Attitude
It may sound trite, but your general attitude and stress level can affect how long your life lasts. A 2002 study by The Mayo Clinic Department of Psychiatry and Psychology found that pessimists had worse health than optimists, resulting in a shorter lifespan. The results, published in a 2002 issue of "Mayo Clinic Proceedings," noted that pessimists endured significantly poorer health than even those who identified themselves as both optimistic and pessimistic. Keep a good attitude, do things you enjoy and learn to laugh in order to enjoy a longer, healthier life.
Avoid Risk Factors
Certain risky behaviors are almost guaranteed to shorten your life, so if you're serious about longevity, you may want to consider quitting some risk factors. Overweight and obesity can short your life, but so can smoking. Smoking can cause a myriad of cancers, high blood pressure and clogged arteries. Being constantly stressed can also hurt your health and shorten your life, as it can raise cortisol levels in the body, notes "Forbes." Stop smoking, get healthy and manage stress factors for better longevity.
References
- Medline Plus: Tips for Losing Weight
- "Archives of Internal Medicine": Exceptional Longevity in Men; Laurel B. Yates, MD, MPH; Luc Djoussé, MD, MPH, DSc; Tobias Kurth, MD, ScD; Julie E. Buring, ScD; J. Michael Gaziano, MD, MPH ; Feb. 2008
- "Mayo Clinic Proceedings": Optimism-Pessimism Assessed in the 1960s and Self-reported Health Status 30 Years Later; 1. Toshihiko Maruta, MD, 2. Robert C. Colligan, PhD, 3. Michael Malinchoc, MS and 4. Kenneth P. Offord, MS; Aug. 2002
- CDC: Physical Activity for Everyone
- "Forbes": 15 Ways to Live Longer
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