10 Simple Ways To Add Years To Your Life

Quit Smoking: add 4 to 8 Years

According to a Cambridge University study of more than 22,000 people, if you cut out the

cigarettes, you could add four to five years to your life. And that benefit could go up depending

on your age. A study in the American Journal of Public Health found that female smokers who

quit by the age 35 could extend their lifespan by 6.1 to 7.7 years.

Cut Out Fast Food: add 4 Years

Just about everything associated with fast food -- the fat, the cholesterol and sodium -- is bad for

you. If you eat too much fast food over a long period of time it can lead to health problems like high

blood pressure, heart disease, and obesity.

Get Moving: add 2 to 4 Years

Even a little bit of exercise is better than none. A moderate increase in exercise is worth three

years of added life. That means about an hour a day for people with office jobs or just 30 minutes

a day if your job keeps you more active.

Lose Those Pounds: add 3 to 4 Years

Recent research from the National Cancer Institute showed that being overweight can increase

the risk of death by 20 to 40 percent. Researchers at the University of Alabama discovered that

maintaining a body-mass index of 25 to 35, which is considered overweight to obese, can shorten

your life by up to three years.

Floss Your Teeth: add 6 Years

It's amazing that something so simple could add so many years onto your life. It's also amazing

that so few people apparently take advantage of this benefit. Common gum problems such as

gingivitis and peridontitis lead to a 23 to 46 percent higher rate of death.

Gum tissues are common sites for inflammation, which can increase the risk of cardiovascular

disease and stroke. Flossing regularly is vital because it removes the bacteria that cause that

inflammation.

Take a Break from Work: add 2 Years

Whether your escape from work is as simple as working on a hobby or as grand as taking more

vacations, both have great benefits for your health and longevity. A recent study of men showed

that those who didn't take at least one vacation were 21 percent more likely to die -- and 32

percent more likely to die of a heart attack.

Train Your Brain: add 2 Years

Studies have shown that 20 percent of the U.S. population over the age or 85 suffers from some

form of dementia. You have a better chance of avoiding falling into this statistic by using mental

exercises to keep your brain cells active and more efficient as you age.

The key is to pick up a book more often, take up crosswords and play brain teasers. Such actions

can lower your risk for Alzheimer's by nearly a third.

Snack Smarter: add 2 to 6 Years

Everybody loves a snack now and then. The right snack can help you get through your day and

also provide great health benefits if chosen wisely.

According to research in the British Medical Journal, a daily handful of dark chocolate and

almonds, plus fruits, vegetables, and even a glass of wine, can increase a woman's lifespan by 4.8

years and a man's by 6.6 years. The foods are rich in antioxidants, anti-inflammatory omega-3

fatty acids, fiber and other nutrients that can lower your heart disease risk by 76 percent.

When it comes to veggies, raw is the key word because cooking can deplete up to 30 percent of

the antioxidants in vegetables. Italian researchers found that eating as little as 1 cup of raw

vegetables daily can add two years to your life.

Stay in Bed Longer: add 2 Years

The importance of sleep cannot be overstated because it allows the neurons in the brain to

become less active and undergo repair. Without repair these nerve cells are unable to function

properly with the result that people find that they have trouble with memory and concentration.

Have More Sex: add 3 to 8 Years

The British Medical Journal says that regular sexual activity, meaning two to three times a week,

can cut your chance of heart disease and stroke in half. Regular sex can also provide a two- to

three-year gain by lowering your blood pressure, improving your sleep and boosting your

immunity.

Pamela B Smith www.generationsmagazine.com