January 1, Boost Your Longevity: 8 Simple Habits That Could Add 24 Years to Your Life

ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY…
1944: Anne Frank arrested in Amsterdam by German Security Police (Grüne Polizei) following a tip-off from an informer who was never identified.

Living longer might be easier than you think, as eight straightforward lifestyle changes could add an impressive 24 years to your life.

This encouraging insight comes from a recent study presented at the annual meeting of the American Society for Nutrition.

Analyzing the health data of more than 700,000 US veterans, scientists discovered a compelling link between adopting healthy practices and increased life expectancy.

The study revealed that these health-promoting habits could enhance the average male lifespan by 24 years and the female lifespan by 21 years.

Xuan-Mai T. Nguyen, a health science specialist at the Department of Veterans Affairs and a rising fourth-year medical student at Carle Illinois College of Medicine, expressed her astonishment at the significant impact of adopting even one of these lifestyle changes.

Nguyen highlighted the substantial benefits of a healthy lifestyle, both on a personal level and for public health.

She emphasizes, “Even if you only make a small change in your 40s, 50s, or 60s, it still is beneficial.”

These transformative habits are:

1. Staying physically active
2. Avoiding opioid addiction
3. Refraining from smoking
4. Managing stress effectively
5. Consuming a healthy diet
6. Abstaining from frequent binge drinking
7. Prioritizing good sleep hygiene
8. Cultivating positive social relationships

The researchers analyzed medical records and survey data of 719,147 individuals, aged between 40 and 99 years, participating in the Veterans Affairs Million Veteran Program from 2011 to 2019.

Key contributors to a shorter lifespan, such as low exercise, opioid use, and smoking, correlated with a 30% to 45% increased risk of death during the study.

Additionally, stress, binge drinking, a poor diet, and poor sleep hygiene each contributed to around a 20% higher mortality risk.

Lastly, a lack of positive social relationships showed a 5% increased risk of death.

Bottom Line

Nguyen reassures us that it’s never too late to make these positive changes, with the caveat, “the earlier, the better.”

She reiterates, “It is never too late to adopt a healthy lifestyle.”

Remember, even small changes can have considerable benefits for your lifespan.

As our loyal readers, we encourage you to share your thoughts and opinions on this issue. Let your voice be heard and join the discussion below.

---

Source