The Big Ten: How to Add Years to Your Life

Behavior
1. Connect with others.  People with spouses, friends, and a rich social network live longer and have happier lives than isolated loners.
   Potential Life Span Bonus: Up to 30 years

2. Live within your means.  Financial insecurity and worries about money are a major source of stress and premature aging.
   Potential Life Span Bonus: 8 years

3. Eat your antioxidants.  These nutrients, found in fruit and vegetables, can reduce the risk of disease, including cancer.
   Potential Life Span Bonus: 1.6 to 8 years

4. Take care of your teeth.  Daily flossing and brushing prevent the buildup of bacteria that could damage your blood vessels and immune system.
   Potential Life Span Bonus: 6.4 years

5. Sleep seven hours a night.  People who get a good night's rest have lower mortality rates and more energy during the day.
   Potential Life Span Bonus: 3 years

6. Don't stop studying.  Although scientists don't know why, lifelong learners and people with advanced educations live longer.
   Potential Life Span Bonus: 2.5 years

7. Laugh.  Laughter may truly be the best medicine: it reduces anxiety and, more often stress and revitalizes the immune system.
   Potential Life Span Bonus: 1.7 years, more if you laugh more often

8. Go outdoors.  Ten to 20 minutes of sunlight spurs production of vitamin D, which boosts immunity and cardiovascular function.  But too much sun accelerates aging.
   Potential Life Span Bonus: 1.7 years

9. Eat breakfast.  No one knows exactly why, but eating breakfast correlates with a longer life.
   Potential Life Span Bonus: 1.1 years

10. Walk the dog.  Simply owning a pet reduces stress and helps lower blood pressure and cholesterol. Dogs offer an extra advantage: walking them gets you moving.
   Potential Life Span Bonus: 1 year

05/2008 Source: Based on Roizen, Michael. RealAge: Are You as Young as You Can Be? New York: HarperCollins, 2000 - Invitation to Fitness and Wellness - Dianne Hales & Charleen Zartman