RX for Living a Long Life

Recent research on aging suggests that by controlling certain factors in our lives, living to the ripe old age of 100 is not too far fetched.  In fact, Danish experts predict that most babies born in rich countries this century will eventually be centenarians. This chart below suggests 11 factors that could influence your own longevity, including be outgoing, floss more, and my favorite, take more holidays. Of course, all this is debatable, but there is compelling research showing the impact that certain lifestyle and environmental changes can have on your health now and in the future.

To find out where you stand on the longevity scale, check out this life expectancy calculator, which was created by the director of the New England Centenarian Study, the largest study of centenarians and their families in the world. According to their website,  the calculator “uses current and carefully researched medical and scientific data in order to estimate how old you will live to be.”  There are 40 questions related to personal, lifestyle, nutrition and medical history and it should take about ten minutes to complete. Once you’ve received your “score,” you’ll be provided with advice on areas where you could improve and thus add months and perhaps years to your life.

I took the test myself and it looks like I could live to..yikes, 102.  I’m not sure that’s a good thing, but it indicates (at least statistically) that what I’m doing now to promote well-being — like exercising, monitoring blood pressure and blood sugar levels, and surrounding myself with good friends, just might prolong my life.  In the follow-up advice, I was informed that I could add a quarter of a year to my life if I move to a place where the air quality is better;  three quarters of a year if I do brain strengthening activities to help delay or escape memory loss; and another three months if I make an attitude adjustment about my own aging!