Five Surprising Ways to Live Longer

Increase your longevity with these surprising tips.

By Kathryn Hawkins. Posted on September 02 2010

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You know the basics: don’t smoke, drink in moderation, and go easy on the cheeseburgers. But there’s a lot more to longevity than that, and in a group of recent studies, scientists have found surprising trends among the centerians they’ve talked to. Here are some of the secrets to living longer, according to The Week:

1. Learn Chinese. Dr. Andrew Weil, author of Healthy Aging, says that keeping the brain active by learning a foreign tongue can stave off age-related diseases like Alzheimer’s.
2. Keep a plant in your cubicle. As we’ve written about previously, plants can soak up pollutants and keep you safe. Check out our list of five house plants that can help you live longer.
3. Survive a recession. According to historical trends, recessions can lead to a decreased mortality rate because people can’t afford to indulge their vices as much. (See what else is good about a recession here.)
4. Expand your social circle. People with lots of friends are half as likely to die young than people who have small social networks. But don’t just add some Facebook friends—real friendship requires face-to-face time, too.
5. Win a Nobel Prize. According to economist Andrew Oswald, Nobel Prize winners lived 1.4 years longer on average than nominees who weren’t selected. But if you’re not in the running for your Nobel just yet, winning a public office or Employee of the Month award can have a similar effect.

Filed under: Health and Wellbeing, Science, Weird,

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