Secrets of a long life
I work in a life insurance company and we recently got the results from a number of studies about the rates of mortality in the UK we had ordered. These are particularly important when we have to price life insurance policies, calculate a capital reserve for them and various other things. It also makes for fun reading to know how certain living habits can make a difference to how long you live for!
The studies, which also used some of the company's statistical numbers, found out how many approximate years your lifestyle could add or take off your life expectancy. They are only theoretical, the number of years mentioned are only estimates and other factors like genetics also affect your life expectancy. Well, the studies came up with 14 'secrets' of a long life! So how can you increase your time on Earth?
Be married/live with a partner : add 1 year
One more reason for those single to get depressed!!
Maintain a healthy weight : add 6 years
A healthy BMI (Body Mass Index) is 18.5 and 25. Apparently, being severely obese (BMI of above 40) reduces your life by 4 years while being underweight could take off 2 years. Calculate your BMI here and cheer yourself up or, in case of an unfavourable BMI level, get off your bum and start losing some weight!!
Don't smoke : add 10 years
That's if you compare someone smoking 20 a day and a non-smoker. Even if you smoke less, your life expectancy decreases significantly.
Love to laugh : add 8 years
According to scientific studies, people who laugh for 15 minutes each day could live add an extra eight years to their lives. Sweeeet!
Be a woman : add 3.3 years
Not possible for everyone unfortunately! But women do tend to live 10% more than men around the world.
Clear out the mess : add 1 year
People who live in chaos are more likely to feel stressed and depressed. Sorting out this disorder can add another year. I am doomed...
Eat well : add 6.6 years
Rather obvious! According to Erasmus University in Rotterdam, a diet which includes daily consumption of garlic, wine, vegetables, fruits, almonds and dark chocolate could extend life expectancy by up to 6.6 years!
Eat less meat : add 3.6 years
A study carried out at Loma University in the US found that people who ate meat less than once a week on average lived 3.6 years longer than their carnivore counterparts.
Be positive : add 9 years
Being optimistic makes you less prone to viruses and makes you recover quicker from illnesses and injuries. Apparently, these people tend to live in healthier ways by doing more exercises and engaging in more social activities.
Keep the faith : add 3 years
According to the University of Pittsburgh, people who attend weekly religious services can expect to live around three years longer than non-attenders. Before there is an uproar, this is only an estimate, but I could see how it could work. Religious people in general tend to be more cautious about their lifestyle.
Be born later : add up to 6.1 years
According to the UK Government Actuary’s Department (GAD), people born 25 years ago had an average life expectancy of 84.6 years for men and 88.5 years for women. People born in 2009 now have an average life expectancy of 88.5 (males) and 91.8 (females). Predictions from GAD suggest that people born 25 years from now could live as long as 91.7 (men) and 94.6 (women)! So try to postpone your birth as far as...oh no...
Get a good night's sleep : add 5 years
Poor sleep can contribute to a number of medical factors which can put people at risk of heart disease. Those who regularly get at least six or seven hours’ sleep can hope to live up to five years longer than those who sleep badly. So next time, people pester you about waking up early, tell them you are only trying to increase your life expectancy!!
Floss your teeth : add 6 years
Flossing your teeth daily can add as much as six years to your life expectancy by removing harmful bacteria that can contribute to cardiovascular disease. Generally having a good dental hygiene not only prevents the person next to you fainting from the bad smell from your mouth, but also ensures a better overall health.
Get a pet : add 2 years
People with pets are less likely to suffer from depression and visit their doctors less often than those without. It is also said that stroking a pet can reduce blood pressure and stress levels.
I hope these tips will help you extend your life, even if most of them are quite obvious. As for me, I am off to the pet store to get a wife and a hamster!
