Will you live to be 100?

Posted on 29th Jun, 2017 by Barbara Davidson

We live in healthy times. The average life expectancy for a child born in the US today is 79 years old, which means a lot of us can hope to live even longer than that. So what can you do to make sure you reach the age of 100?

The 20th century really turned things around for humankind. Life expectancy has increased significantly in the past 150 years thanks to improvements in living conditions and healthcare. However, many people still fail to reach an advanced age — much of that stems from unhealthy lifestyle choices.

Take your work-life balance, for instance. Too much work and not enough play can have serious effects on your health. You can give yourself a better shot at longevity by making sure you leave your work at the office. Switching off your notifications when you’re at home is a good start.

The time we spend with other people also has a surprising impact. One study showed that those with weak social connections had a 50% higher chance of dying. If you spend a lot of time alone, arranging regular meet-ups with your friends might give you a better shot of hitting the big 1-0-0.

Our new infographic includes a handy flowchart to show you whether or not you’re on the right path to a long life. It also includes a dozen tips you can use in your daily life to get you on track.

Having a full retirement isn’t just about how long you live — it’s also about the quality of life you enjoy. Look after your health and lifestyle, and you’ll have a much better chance of having a happy 100th birthday!

Sources

 

  1. Ted Ideas worth spreading (2009). Dan Buettner on how to live to be 100 com
  2. National Center for Biotechnology Information (2016). Happiness and Longevity in the United States nlm.nih.gov
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  4. Prevention (2014). Science backed tips for living longer com
  5. Shahab L, et al.(2017). Nicotine, Carcinogen, and Toxin Exposure in Long-Term E-Cigarette and Nicotine Replacement Therapy Users: A Cross-sectional Study. Ann Intern Med. 2017;166:390-400. doi: 10.7326/M16-1107
  6. Fuller, TD (2011). Moderate alcohol consumption and the risk of mortality. nlm.nih.gov
  7. Preidt, R. (2014). Could a ‘Mediterranean’ Diet extend your life? usnews.com
  8. National Institute of Aging. Does how much you eat affect how long you live? nih.gov
  9. Holme, I and Anderssen S. (2015). Increases in physical activity is as important as smoking cessation for reduction in total mortality in elderly men: 12 years of follow-up of the Oslo II study. Br J Sports Med 2015;49:743-748.
  10. Planta, M.B. (2011) Sunscreen and Melanoma: Is Our Prevention Message Correct? org
  11. Goh, J. et al. (2015). Exposure To Harmful Workplace Practices Could Account For Inequality In Life Spans Across Different Demographic Groups. Health Aff October 2015 vol. 34 no. 10 1761-1768

 

About Barbara Davidson

Babs is Lead Content Strategist and financial guru. She loves exploring fresh ways to save more and enjoy life on a budget! When she’s not writing, you’ll find her binge-watching musicals, reading in the (sporadic) Chicago sunshine and discovering great new places to eat. Accio, tacos!