August 1, 2023

LIFE LONGEVITY

INFLUENCING FACTORS

When it comes to living longer, there are several factors at play. First off, our lifestyle habits have a huge impact on our life span. It’s all about those early and later habits, like exercising regularly, eating a healthy diet, and staying away from alcohol, smoking, and illicit substances.

Of course, genetics also play a role in how long we’ll live, but it’s not the only thing. Our mental health, family support, and social connections can make a significant difference too. Plus, taking care of our physical health is crucial for a longer and happier life.

Now, here’s the big secret: the ultimate goal that contributes to achieving longevity is reducing stress. Yep, stress reduction is like an umbrella that covers all the other factors.

You might have heard about Jeanne Calment, the amazing French woman who lived to a jaw-dropping age of 122! Wow, right? Experts found that her stress-free lifestyle played a major role in her long life. Growing up in a well-off family in a nice neighborhood, not having to work, and having people to take care of her needs all contributed to her low stress levels. That’s some serious socioeconomic factor in action!

Even though she picked up the habit of smoking later in life, she still managed to beat the aging odds due to her rich social life and lack of worries. Mental health for the win!

Now, we can’t all be as lucky as Jeanne Calment, but there’s hope for us too. We can control some of these lifestyle factors to reduce stress and improve our chances of a longer life. Taking care of ourselves through diet, exercise, and avoiding harmful habits is totally doable.

Medical science is also making amazing strides, and it’s becoming possible to delay certain aging processes. So, in the near future, we might see life expectancy going well beyond 80 years.

Research is key in understanding how to live longer and healthier. We’ve got some solid findings, like how a Mediterranean diet is great for our brains and hearts, and regular exercise protects our cardiovascular system. It’s also crucial to steer clear of smoking, moderate alcohol intake, and stay away from illicit substances.

And here’s some more good news! Reducing social isolation, taking better care of ourselves through regular doctor visits, and keeping tabs on medical genetics advancements can all help us maintain or improve our health. It’s all about giving ourselves the best shot at living healthfully and happily.

While chance might have a role in our longevity, we can still make positive changes in our lifestyle choices that benefit us in the long run. Just take a look at recent studies suggesting that a healthy lifestyle may help brains age better AND that a healthy lifestyle can even help those who are genetically more susceptible to memory decline.

So friends, take good care of yourselves, reduce that stress, and LIVE JOYFULLY!

Sources

3 Reasons the World’s Oldest Person Lived to 122

Lessons Left Behind from the World’s Oldest Living Person

Census Bureau: Analysis of Fast-Growing 90 and Older Population

New Study Finds 6 Ways to Slow Memory Decline and Lower Dementia Risk

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Winter Growth’s founder dreamed of creating a community where seniors and adults with disabilities could continue to learn and grow – filling their lives with joy and purpose. For over 40 years, we have fulfilled her vision by providing unique, affordable Assisted Living/Memory Care and Adult Medical Day Care tailored to our clients’ individual abilities, interests, and lives.