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If you could add several good years to your life, would you do it? But maybe you’ve heard so much conflicting information about what really helps a person live a longer, healthier life that you have no idea where to begin.
You probably already know that certain things will keep you healthier, such as eating well, exercising regularly, and avoiding bad habits. But what about the lesser-known lifestyle changes and habits that can lead to a longer and better life?
Senior alert systems can provide the protection older adults need to avoid the dire consequences of falls and household accidents. Regular checkups with the doctor will help spot any problems that need to be addressed before they become major issues. Following safety rules, such as wearing a seat belt when in a vehicle, can save your life in an accident.
What other things can affect how long and how well you live? Let’s take a look at the facts about longevity and how seniors can apply them to their own lives.
Does an Upbeat Personality Help You Live Longer?
Many believe that if you take a very positive approach to anything life throws as you, you will live a longer and healthier life. But the truth is a little more complicated than that. In fact, one study found that those who are overly optimistic might actually live shorter lives.
The Longevity Project followed more than 1,500 people in a study that spanned 80 years. Interestingly, the study found that those who took a measured, balanced approach to life tended to live longer than those who were more cheery.
The study suggests that the prudence shown by the more sedate adults translates into taking fewer risks, especially with their health. Those who are very optimistic tend to have a “things will work out” attitude and thus might skip health screenings and other important care that keeps their health on track.1
Studies have also found that those who have lots of laughter in their lives every day have lower rates of stroke and heart disease. The moral of the story is to take a balanced approach to day-to-day life: Be happy and positive, but also be realistic about what life could hand you, and plan accordingly by taking the steps necessary to take care of yourself.
What If I Dread Getting Older?
The aging process can bring wrinkles, mobility difficulties, trouble with vision and hearing, or a myriad of health problems.
But those who truly dread the process of aging might find that it turns into a self-fulfilling prophecy. Those who embrace aging and look forward to the years to come tend to live over seven years longer, on average, than those who simply believe aging is an awful thing.
Many experts attribute this to the belief that certain aches, pains, and medical problems are just a consequence of growing older. Those who believe that might think there’s nothing to do about whatever physical ailment they’re dealing with and so don’t go to the doctor for a diagnosis and treatment.
Let’s say you do go to the doctor and learn that whatever ails you really is a product of aging – inflammation, perhaps, as a result of a lowered immune system. That doesn’t mean you are sentenced to dealing with that ailment for the rest of your life! Though inflammation is more common in the elderly, it can be reduced by certain lifestyle changes, like spending more time outside and boosting the omega-3 fatty acids in your diet. Learning what you can do to ease some results of the aging process can be empowering!
Does Working Too Hard Really Kill You?
This is an interesting question because you have to consider what “working too hard” means.
Those who work hard and enjoy what they do tend to live longer lives than those who don’t work as hard. In fact, the Longevity Project study found that those who put a lot of time and effort into their work tended to have up to a 30% lower risk of early death.
But those who take home stress from the workplace can quickly negate the longevity gains that come from working hard. One of the biggest threats of workplace stress is the unhealthy habits that can emerge when you try to self-medicate that stress over time. According to Prevention, stress can lead to making bad food choices, ruin your sleep habits, make you more susceptible to illness, and trigger a variety of health problems, from acid reflux to an outbreak of shingles.2
One of the keys to making work contribute to longevity is the atmosphere you’re in. The social engagement, mental stimulation, friendships built, and projects completed can give you a sense of accomplishment that can lead to better health.
In other words, it’s the sense of purpose that you might get from hard work that can contribute to longevity.
What Role Does Genetics Play in Longevity?
When you go to a new doctor, they will ask you what sort of health problems have shown up in your family tree. The idea is that if certain illnesses or conditions are common among your family members, you are more likely to develop those problems as well. But this can sometimes lead you to believe that just because your father passed away of a heart condition or your grandmother died after a battle with cancer, that those things might happen to you too.
The truth is that while genetics do matter to some extent – for instance, a study in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that if you have at least one parent who lived past the age of 70, your odds of living longer go up – your lifestyle and environment play a much larger role in how long you will live.3
Studies have found that those who avoid smoking, maintain a healthy weight, exercise regularly, eat a healthy diet, and drink only in moderation can increase their life expectancy by quite a bit. Quality health care also matters – that’s why it’s so important to get medical attention if anything goes wrong, in addition to your regular checkups and medication reviews.
Just How Much Does Prompt Medical Attention Matter?
A lot, it turns out. You already know that getting medical attention right away after a heart attack or stroke could save your life. But there are consequences to slow-moving health problems too.
For instance, if you don’t go to the doctor and learn that you have diabetes, the condition will do damage in your body until you begin proper treatment that brings glucose levels down. High blood pressure is another problem that you might not know you have, but that can wreak havoc on your vascular system until you get it under control.
When a serious medical problem occurs, getting help right away can mean the difference between a good medical outcome and a bad one. Take a stroke, for instance – if you get to the hospital within a few hours of the onset of symptoms, the doctors have much better odds of reducing or even reversing the damage done by the stroke.
The same is true with something called “the long lie.” It’s a term used by medical professionals to indicate that someone fell down, was unable to get up, and suffered the consequences of lying on the ground while waiting for help.
Studies have found that those who are on the floor for an hour or more can suffer from serious medical issues on top of potential fractures, traumatic brain injury, or other injuries they might already have. This includes dehydration or hypothermia, two conditions that can become deadly if not treated right away.
This is why it’s so important to wear a medical alert necklace for seniors and elderly adults at all times, day or night, even in the shower. If something bad happens – a serious fall or household accident, for example – medical alert technology can ensure that you get prompt attention right away. The sooner you get help, the better your odds become of living a longer, healthier life.
What if I’m Too Old to Give Up Bad Habits?
No one is ever too old to make a change! Some lifestyle habits, like smoking or drinking to excess, can shave years off your life. But if you make the decision to stop those habits, you can actually add more time to your golden years. In fact, studies have found that those who stopped smoking between the ages of 45 and 54 added six years to their life.
If your doctor recommends something you can change to live a longer life, you can start on that change right away and reap some benefit, even if you’re of advanced age.
Let’s go back to the example of smoking. About 20 minutes after your last cigarette, your blood pressure goes down and your circulation begins to improve. After 12 hours, the body’s carbon monoxide level drops. And after just one day, your chances of a heart attack begin to drop. Within a week, your sense of smell and taste will improve, your energy levels go up, and it becomes easier to breathe.
So don’t hesitate to make good changes right now, no matter your age!
Paying attention to your good health means also paying attention to your safety and security. That’s the beauty of a button alarm. By using a pendant or wristband that allows you to simply press a button and get help on the line within moments, you are providing yourself with incredible peace of mind and a wonderful safety net. Here’s to your happy, healthy longevity!
