Be happy. Happy people are more successful, more creative, more productive, better liked, and better able to cope with adversity. And they live longer. A study of people with heart disease showed that the happy people lived longest. It wasn't necessary to be continuously happy, but avoiding emotional lows extended life. It could be that happy people produce less of the stress hormone cortisol, or that they enjoy more support from friends and family. Meanwhile, unhappy people tend to have higher blood pressure and higher heart rates, and may be more isolated.
Keep your mind active. Aristotle said, "Education is the best provision for old age," and it turns out he was right. Intellectually curious people live longer, particularly those who invest in education. Every extra year of education reduces mortality by 8 percent, one study found. And learning actively into old age can ward off all kinds of health problems. Seniors who read actively are less likely to develop Alzheimer's. The bottom line is that idle minds atrophy from disuse. Use it or lose it.
Be vigilant about your health care. With many life-threatening illnesses, your best chance of beating it is early detection. By going for regular screenings, you enable your doctor to search your body for cancer before you experience symptoms. For women this means mammograms for breast cancer and pap tests for cervical cancer, and for both men or women, screenings for colorectal cancer, and checkups that include assessment of your heart and cardiovascular systems, testing for HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases, and making sure that you're feeling happy and well without signs of mental health problems. Be proactive about getting medical screenings, and get checkups regularly.
Be spiritual. Studies show that people who attend church regularly have a higher life expectancy, probably due to the community of support that comes with it, and perhaps a more sharply defined sense of purpose in life. Some researchers have suggested that having an alternative spiritual outlet such as meditation, yoga, prayer, or nature may have similar effects.
Build friendships. People with friendships and family relationships stay healthier and are swifter to recover from illness. Having social connections makes you happier, wards off depression, and may boost the immune system. Studies show that lonely people have higher rates of perceived stress, higher blood pressure, worse sleep, and a host of pathophysiological processes that increase wear and tear on the body. Doctors even admit that they provide better, more complete medical care to people who have supportive families.
Keep a pet. Having a pet adds years to your life. People with pets are more likely to survive a heart attack, one study showed. Having a pet tends to reduce levels of the stress hormone cortisol, making you more relaxed, which also improves your health. Children with chronic diseases like diabetes cope with their illness better if they have a pet. Heart attack victims with dogs are more likely to survive. Also, having a pet forces you to exercise, and promotes social interactions with other people, which is also good for your health and longevity.
Wear sunscreen. "If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it," wrote Chicago Tribune columnist Mary Schmich. "The long-term benefits of sunscreen have been proven... whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable than my own meandering experience." The column was later apocryphally attributed to Kurt Vonnegut, and eventually set to music and recorded by director Baz Luhrmann. But despite its starring role in an urban legend, the underlying advice is sound. UV rays not only cause damage to the skin that can lead to cancer, but they also suppress the immune system. This doesn't mean you should never see daylight—a little sun exposure is a good way to generate vitamin D. Look for a sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB rays. Wear it year round and limit your sun exposure.
Floss daily. Swollen gums release inflammatory substances into the bloodstream, which clog arteries. By keeping your gums healthy and free of bacteria, you reduce your risk of periodontal disease, which in turn reduces your risk of heart disease.
Everything else. Some things should go without saying: Don't be obese, eat a balanced diet, and don't smoke. Don't live in a war zone or an area at high risk of natural disaster. Don't ride a motorcycle or engage in risky sex. Know that aside from combat, driving is the most dangerous activity you'll probably ever engage in, and if you must drive, wear a seatbelt and remember that for every 10 miles an hour over 50, you double your risk of death if a crash occurs. Follow your instincts and don't put yourself in dangerous situations. Adopt all the above measures and there's no guarantee you'll hit 125—but if you find yourself gasping your last breath at age 80, at least you'll have the comfort of knowing you fought the good fight and did everything in your power to live forever.
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