Unusual Signs You'll Live longer Than You Imagined

With my 40th birthday looming ahead of me in the next few weeks I do sometimes think (not to be morbid or anything) of how long I will live and if my life is half over, etc, etc (you get the point). I saw this article on “Surprising Signs You’ll Live Longer Than You Think” and could not resist sharing it with you. Now, I will say this, I do want to live a long time more (as long as I am in good health and can take care of myself) but I don’t want to outlive everyone in my peer group. You know those stories you read about last living survivor of the Titanic, or oldest living woman-well I don’t want to be that old but you know-within reason. Anyway, I could go on and on so I will stop before you think I am really over thinking this (because of course I am) and get onto the signs.

Signs You’ll Live Longer Than You Imagined

*Your mom had you young-If your mom had you when she was under the age of 25, you’re twice as likely to live to 100 as someone born to an older mom (uh oh now I feel bad for my kids-I had them in my 30’s). The theory is that younger moms’ best eggs go first to fertilization, thus healthier offspring.

*You love to drink tea-Both green and black teas contain a concentrated dose of catechins, substances that help blood vessels relax and protect your heart. In a study of more than 40, 500 Japanese men and women , those who drank 5 or more cups of green tea every day had the lowest risk of dying from heart disease and stroke. You really need only 1 or 2 cups of tea daily to start doing your heart some good-just make sure it’s a fresh brew. Ready-to-drink teas don’t offer the same health benefits (once water is added to the the tea leaves the catechins start to degrade). Hmmmmm- I drink at least 5 cups of green tea a day but I must say it is not fresh brew. I need to consider this.

*You’re a walker-People who walk for about 30 minutes a day are more likely to live longer regardless of how much body fat they have.

*You are not a soda drinker (even diet)-As I sit here with my sinful yet delicious bad habit diet Pepsi (my main vice next to chocolate) this article says that scientists in Boston found that drinking one or more regular or diet colas everyday doubles your risk of metabolic syndrome-a cluster of conditions, including high blood pressure, elevated insulin levels, and excess fat around the waist that increase your chance of heart disease and diabetes . I know soda is horrible and diet especially but for some reason I occasionally crave it and when I have a lot of stress (like now) I want a rude diet Pepsi to soothe me. It is just one of those things that you know you should not be doing but cannot quite help yourself (I tend to do this on occasion).

*You eat purple food- I have said this many, many times but Concord grapes, blueberries, red wine (no, this is not an excuse to go get drunk on red wine) : They all get that deep, rich color from polyphenols (compounds that reduce heart disease risk and may also protect against Alzheimer’s disease). Polyphenols help keep blood vessels and arteries flexible and healthy. Researchers found that eating 1 or more cups of blueberries every day may improve communication between brain cells, enhancing your memory.

*You are not a burger eater (hooray-save the cows on this one)- A few palm-size servings of beef, pork, or lamb now and then is no big deal (it is for who you are eating-okay off my animal rights soapbox) but eating more than 18 ounces of red meat per week ups your risk of colorectal cancer (the third most common type). Colorectal cancer risk also rises by 42% with every 3 ½ ounce serving of processed meat (think deli meats, bacon, hot dogs) eaten per day. I don’t want to say I told you so but uh huh.

*You have good friendships- having good friendships help alleviate stress and knowing that you have people who support you keeps you healthy mentally and physically.

*You don’t have a housekeeper-okay I am on this one-not only do I not have a housekeeper, I am the housekeeper (does that make sense?)- The average person can burn about 285 calories (lowering risk of death by 30% according to a study of 302 adults in their 70’s and 80’s) just by mopping, vacuuming, or washing windows for a little more than an hour.

*You have a positive outlook on life- In Sardinia and Okinawa, where people live the longest (I never knew this), hard work is important, but not more than spending time with family, nurturing spirituality and doing for others. I really think doing for others is the key-I never feel better than when I do something selfless to help an animal or person.

So, how did your lifestyle stack up to these live longer signs?

Ref-my new favorite magazine-Prevention November 2008.