Great research is going on to find out the various factors that contribute to a healthy, lengthy life. A 2022 study in the Journal of Applied Gerontology reported that a romantic, sexual, or intimate relationship entered into willingly in the sex is an essential part of health and it has more influence on longevity than the frequency or enjoyment of mechanical sex. According to the study, people who held sex-positive beliefs were 78% more likely to live to the expected life expectancy than those who didn’t. A consensual sex or relationship can improve overall well-being, giving the incentive to take better care of health, though other factors may contribute. One early study reported, for example, that males with a high frequency of orgasms had a 50% reduction in all-cause mortality. A consensual relationship is any romantic, physical, or sexual relationship that is entered into and maintained with the free, enthusiastic, and ongoing agreement of the partners involved.
Habits led to an increase in lifespan
The data used for this study were collected between 2011 and 2019. It featured U.S. veterans between the ages of 40 and 99. Over 30,000 participants died during the follow-up. This study looked at all-cause mortality in this study using Cox proportional hazard regression models and longevity using a multi-life table method, calculating the longevity for male veterans and female veterans separately.”
Eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, keeping a healthy body weight, not drinking too much alcohol, and not smoking may add more than a decade to life. Those Veterans who adopted healthy habits had a 13% reduction in death from any cause compared to those who adopted none of the eight habits. The study found that men who have adopted all eight habits at the age of 40 would be predicted to live 24 years longer, on average, than men who adopted none of these habits. Women who have adopted all eight habits by age 40 would live 23 years longer on average compared to those who adopted none. “Take home message: Veterans who commit to a moderate change toward living a healthier lifestyle during middle age may prolong their life expectancy,”. The researchers found that low physical activity, opioid use, and smoking had the biggest impact on an individual’s lifespan. During the study period, these habits were associated with a 30% to 45% higher risk of death.
Stress, drinking alcohol excessively, poor diet, and poor sleep hygiene were associated with around a 20-30% increase in the risk of death during the study period. In comparison, the lack of positive social relationships was associated with a 5% increased risk of death. Mental health likely plays a role in life expectancy. The study never previously quantified how living with anxiety or depression was associated with mortality but through this study, we learned that it was associated with 8% of premature death. This study and our findings have made us rethink how we can direct future research to incorporate psychosocial factors more meaningfully. This study was the first to observe the psychological lifestyle factors and their association with life expectancy.
Preventing chronic disease to increase lifespan
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a trusted source, chronic diseases, such as heart disease and diabetes, are the leading causes of death and disability not only in the United States but in several developed and developing nations. “Non-communicable chronic diseases are associated with over 80% of all healthcare dollars. Living with a chronic disease is costly and a burden to individuals and to society. Studies have found that approximately 90% of diabetes, 80% of coronary heart disease, and 70% of cardiovascular mortality can be attributed to unhealthy lifestyle habits. Lifestyle medicine is a specialty that focuses on preventing chronic diseases.
It provides a potential avenue for altering the course of ever-increasing healthcare costs resulting from prescription medicine and surgical procedures. The lifestyle factors among veterans participating in the Million Veteran Program (MVP) have been analysed because it is a unique opportunity to better understand and care for a specific population of people who have devoted themselves to service.
It’s never too late to adopt healthy habits
There are benefits to be had even if patients can’t adopt all eight healthy habits. “We were really surprised by just how much could be gained with the adoption of one… two… three. or all eight lifestyle factors! It was impressive in the sense that, even if one starts, and doesn’t do them all…it still is beneficial. While the research suggests that adopting healthy habits at older ages likely results in smaller estimated gains in life expectancy, it’s still probably fruitful. The research findings suggest that adopting a healthy lifestyle is important for both public health and personal wellness. The earlier the better, but even if someone makes changes in their 40s or 60s, it is still beneficial as seen in several study findings.
How to add a couple of years to life expectancy
Doctors have long advised patients to eat right and exercise regularly. Studies like this allow them to quantify the benefits of adopting healthy habits. “The purpose is to let the general audience and the clinical physician to understand how much the difference is if they do this or that, so it’s kind of [to help] them to explain to the patient why it’s so important to adopt a healthier lifestyle.
Having 2 or more mood and anxiety disorders may increase the risk of 90%. Signs of a potentially long life include a fast-walking speed, strong social connections, a sense of purpose, good sleep habits, optimism, and a healthy lifestyle with regular exercise and a plant-based diet. Physical strength, like grip strength and the ability to stand without using your hands, also indicates good health and longevity, as does staying intellectually curious and handling stress effectively.
