Today, I’ll be sharing more simple, surprising, science-backed ways to increase your longevity.
In fact, new research reveals exactly how “super-agers” remain healthy well into 100 years of age.
It turns out, there are a handful of key health metrics and lifestyle habits that could contribute.
I’ll cover some of the strongest ways to help you reach this “super-ager” status.
Including the most intriguing finding, which reveals that something we humans LOVE to do may be THE STRONGEST CONTIBUTOR. (It’s in our nature!)
Here’s everything you need to know…
The secret to reaching that “super-age”
For this new study, researchers looked at data on nearly 300 so-called “super-agers” (people who reached 100 years of age) in New Zealand.
Participants were free of common, chronic conditions associated with old age—such as depression, dementia, Type II diabetes, or high blood pressure. They were all living independently within the community (not in long-term, residential care facilities).
Then, the researchers compared the super-agers to men and women between the ages of 60 and 100 years. They ultimately concluded a few key points:
- High blood pressure increased with age. The researchers noted that the rates of high blood pressure increased by 30 percent between the ages of 60 and 100 years. However, that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Remember, as I often report, many studies show that moderately higher blood pressure as you age actually improves circulation and blood perfusion to the brain, heart, and other organs. And these improvements seem to help support health and longevity at older ages.
- Depression, Type II diabetes, and dementia rates declined with age. On the flip side, the frequency of depression and Type II diabetes steadily declined as age increased after 60 years, and dementia declined after age 80. (In other words, not suffering from these chronic problems led to reaching older ages.)
- Exercise lowered dementia risk. In this study, men and women with the highest levels of physical activity were at the lowest risk of developing dementia. However, researchers found no significant evidence to suggest a link between exercise and improved longevity, in particular. (Tune back on Thursday for more details on this takeaway. I’ll report on a new study showcasing the importance of physical activity for preventing premature death.)
- Not smoking increased longevity. This finding was one of the strongest factors influencing longevity in this study. But researchers didn’t go into any details about how much or how little the participants who didn’t reach the age of 100 smoked.
Of course, these key health metrics and lifestyle habits weren’t the only factors to contribute to longevity. In fact, there was another intriguing (and promising) finding…
Social butterflies have longer, healthier lives
Humans are social creatures. And this study found that staying socially engaged is perhaps THE STRONGEST CONTRIBUTOR behind becoming a “super-ager.”
Now, given the social isolation forced upon all of us over the past nearly two years, many of us could use a nudge in finding new ways to reconnect with others. So, here are five ways to help you reconnect, socialize, and combat loneliness:
1.) Have regular conversations (in person, by video, or by phone) with friends, family members, and even strangers.
2.) Engage in some hands-on, mind-body approaches, like acupuncture, bodywork, massage, meditation and yoga. These natural approaches help to improve mood and ease anxiety. Plus, they get you connected with like-minded, healthy people. You may make a new friend. You can learn about which non-drug treatments will work best for you or a loved one by taking this simple quiz or by reading my books, Your Emotional Type and Overcoming Acute and Chronic Pain: Keys to Healing Based on Your Emotional Type.
3.) Try some new, creative pursuits, such as taking a cooking class, joining (or starting) a book club, or volunteering with a local charity. Again, taking part in these kinds of activities will connect you with like-minded people who want to fill their days with healthy pursuits.
4.) Get out in Nature, as much as possible. Study after study shows that the great outdoors has mental, emotional, and physical health benefits. So, take advantage of the sunshine whenever possible. Go for a walk, hike, or swim (depending on where you live).
5.) Consider adopting a pet. As I report in the current issue of my Insiders’ Cures newsletter (“Furry family members might just save your life”), caring for a pet does wonders for your mental and physical health. So you might want to consider adding one to your family, if you haven’t already. (Not yet a subscriber? All it takes is one click!)
In addition, I outline simple, common-sense strategies for staying vibrant, youthful, and HEALTHY well into your 70s, 80s, and BEYOND in my Insiders’ Ultimate Guide to Outsmarting “Old Age.” To learn more about this innovative, online learning tool—or to enroll today—click here now.