Next Wednesday I will turn 70 years old. According to CoolConversion, if you live to the age of 70, in all likelihood, you have 14 years and three more months to go.
I figure that is pretty good because according to the same publication, if I had been born in Colorado yesterday, I would live 79.9 years. So, I guess, I’m ahead of the curve. I guess the biggest negative is that I’m going to outlive my term life insurance policy. I’ve paid $142/month on that thing for a long time.
I don’t know about you, but certain birthdays effect you more than others. My 40th birthday was a little rough, bothered me some, and this one seems to be the same way. I keep looking back and wondering if I’ve made much of a difference in my life.
Well, I guess the glass can be half empty or half full, right?
I found a pair of studies that examine what allows you to live longer. One comes from Johns-Hopkins and the other from an online article from Life Hack. The Johns-Hopkins piece only has four things listed. Life Hack has 20 listed. Mind if I go with Johns-Hopkins (JH) as the primary information?
Their study is based on 6,200 men and women they studied over an eight-year period. Further, they claim that the four smart behaviors they highlight reduce the chance of death from all causes by an astounding 80%. JH said the most important health related factor is not to smoke. They say if you only choose one, this is it. Smoking affects coronary arteries and lungs; smokers have increased rates of cancer and risk of stroke. Life Hack lists this at number 6.
Personally, I was never a regular smoker. Although, I enjoy an occasional cigar.
And I do believe not smoking is a good thing. So, I guess I’ll give myself a B- on this one.
The second one JH identifies is to maintain a healthy weight. I should be dead.
I’ve always struggled with my weight. I am lower now than I have been most of my life but, of all the things I’ve wrestled with during my life, my weight has been the hardest.
The other guys say that is the 12th most important, out of 20. I think maybe a C- for me on this category. Number three on the JH list is to get up and move.
Finally, one I get an A on!
I’ve always been pretty good about exercising. Lori and I love to walk and hike and fight the yard. I’ve shared before, retirement isn’t something I ever plan to do completely. As the lemurs in the movie Madagascar say, “You’ve got to move it, move it.”
Life Hack picks exercise as the most important thing you can do. And by exercise, I mean moving. Weeding, mowing, walking, walking around in circles because you can’t remember where you were headed. It’s all important.
The last JH one is to make healthy food choices.
For me, if you read much, it’s a little tough to decide what is or isn’t healthy. Ice cream has protein, doesn’t it? JH suggests a Mediterraneanstyle diet, which includes fresh fruits and vegetables, tree nuts and healthy oils, fish and less red meat and whole grain carbs. H-m-mm- m. Back to a B or C for me. Life Hack has several in the same category. Less red meat (#5), and foods rich in omegas (#8). They do tell you to drink coffee (#11), eat mushrooms (#18) and cook your own food (#17).
Interesting huh?
Hopefully, I have those 14 years to figure it out. I’m thinking, even if they aren’t in the top four, a spouse you love, children and grandchildren, a church filled with Christian friends, less television and less stress probably also help. What works for you really, old people?
Hope to write you again at age 80.