Increase your odds of becoming a centenarian by making these simple lifestyle changes.
People born after the year 2000 are likely to live to 100. That tops our life expectancy by about 20 years, but we too can live that long. Of course, genetics and pure luck have an effect on longevity, but you can increase your odds of becoming a centenarian by making these simple lifestyle changes.
Get a Hobby
Having a pastime can add two or more years to your life because it gives you a sense of accomplishment and reduces stress.
Take a Vacation
Getting away from it all can decrease your risk of developing heart disease eightfold, and making time for leisure can cut your stress enough to add a year or two to your life.
Floss
Making flossing a regular part of your routine can increase your life span by as many as 6.4 years. The reason? Flossing eliminates harmful bacteria that leads to inflammation of the gums, stroke and heart disease.
Sleep In
Hitting the snooze button on your alarm can extend your life by up to two years! The average person in the United States is short on sleep, and you should aim for seven to eight hours each night to allow your cells time to repair.
Exercise Your Brain
Push yourself to mentally escape your comfort zone every day to keep your brain and memory strong. Each time you put your brain under a bit of stress, like writing with your non-dominant hand or reading upside down, you damage your cells. That sounds scary, but your body repairs them, and while it does, it also repairs damages related to aging.
Eat Red Foods
A healthy, well-balanced diet is essential to living to 100 or more, but eating enough red foods is especially important. Crimson-colored foods like red peppers and tomatoes are loaded with lycopene, an antioxidant that can prevent cancer, stroke, high blood pressure, heart disease and other health issues.
Breathe Deeply
Taking long, deep breaths boosts your lung capacity and function, both of which are typically reduced with age. Breathing deeply also lowers your blood pressure and slows your heart rate.
Keep Clean
According to Dr. Leslie Martin and Dr. Howard Friedman, American psychologists who are experts on longevity, the best indicator of how long you will live is how conscientious you are. People who are detail-oriented, careful with money, tidy and thoughtful live longer and have more serotonin, a brain chemical that keeps them happy.
