Ageing well - develop sound habits

Although the importance of a healthy lifestyle in preventing chronic disease and improving longevity is well known, just how many of us actually put this into practice?

The National Health Survey¹ shows that only 11% of Australian adult males and 13% of adult females had none of the health risk factors which include smoking, high alcohol intake, low exercise or overweight/obesity as shown by BMI (Body Mass Index).

Recent research from the USA indicated that just 3% of American adults adhered to similar health-promoting behaviours² by being non-smokers, maintaining a healthy weight, eating enough fruit and vegetables and exercising five or more times per week.

Should we try to do better?

Individuals have a great deal of control over ageing successfully according to Harvard researchers.³ The Harvard health predictors of successful ageing are:

avoiding alcohol abuse,
refraining from smoking,
having a stable marriage,
exercising regularly,
maintaining a healthy weight,
developing good coping mechanisms, and
pursuing education.

Enhance your pursuit of ageing well

Based on this research, here is what you can do in the active pursuit of ageing well.

1.	Work your mind – stay mentally active to help decrease memory loss.
2.	Move your body - Regular physical activity has a positive effect on your body and your brain.
3.	Get enough sleep – lack of sleep can affect memory.
4.	Reduce stress levels – try yoga, tai chi and meditation or simply take a tea break more often.
5.	Keep trim – remain within a normal weight range and your risk for developing diabetes or hypertension should decrease.
6.	Have a relationship with a GP – seeing your doctor on a regular basis should help you to better manage any health issues.
7.	Develop a community mindset - there is a clear association to improved health in anyone who has good links and support in the community.

In Australia today, women are living fours years longer than 20 years ago and men six years. Making an effort now to improve your health for later years has to be a good investment.

Your longevity

You can check out how much of a difference a healthy lifestyle may make to your own longevity using "The Living to 100 Life Expectancy Calculator^©".

[Please note that when this article was first written, it was a free service and "no strings" to use the calculator. Now a free but time consuming sign-up is required. The link may be found at the website http://www.agingresearch.org/interactive.cfm]

References

1.	National Health Survey - Summary of Results, Australia, 4364.0 Australian Bureau of Statistics
2.	Reeves MJ and Rafferty AP. Healthy Lifestyle Characteristics among Adults in the United States, 2000. Arch Intern Med. 2005; 165: 854-857
3.	Living Better, Living Longer: Secrets of Healthy Aging. Harvard Publications, 2001.