20 to 24 years more

Eight habits for a longer life

(Bild: Tröster)

If you keep physically fit and avoid unhealthy pleasures such as alcohol and cigarettes, you can expect to live an average of 22 to 24 years longer. Good friendships can also extend our lives.

Back in 2018, a study found that maintaining five healthy habits in adulthood can extend life by more than a decade.

Now, in a large study, scientists from the USA have uncovered eight lifestyle habits that can significantly extend life expectancy. Data from medical records and questionnaires from more than 700,000 US veterans were analyzed.

These eight lifestyle habits are

• be physically active
• not smoking
• deal well with stress
• Maintain a healthy diet
• no excessive alcohol consumption
• maintain good sleep hygiene
• Maintain positive social relationships
• not developing an opioid addiction

The results of the study showed that men who meet all eight lifestyle factors by age 40 live an average of 24 years longer than men who do not live any of these behaviors. 

Women who have adopted all eight habits by the age of 40 live on average 22.6 years longer than women who do not engage in any of these habits.

Intoxicants and lack of exercise do the most harm
Overall, the results showed that low physical activity, opioid use and smoking had the greatest impact on life expectancy. The estimated gain in life expectancy through adherence to the eight lifestyle habits decreased with increasing age, but could still be statistically proven.

This means that even in old age, it still pays to adopt these healthy lifestyle habits in order to prolong life.