Healthy Aging: It’s Not All in Your Genes

Mayo Clinic
Tuesday, 9 December 2003

If you're hoping to live to a healthy 100, good genes help. But just because a parent lived to be 100 doesn't mean that you will. Likewise, if your parents died in their 60s, it doesn't mean that you won't live to be 100.

Research suggests it's a complex mix of your heredity, environment and lifestyle that determines your life span. The way you manage your body, mind and spirit today affects how you'll feel as you age.

The December issue of Mayo Clinic Women's HealthSource offers these tips for healthy aging:

• Have a positive attitude: Research suggests a positive view of aging can mean living a longer, healthier life.


• Eat well: A healthy diet is key.


• Limit alcohol: Alcohol's effects are magnified with age.


• Avoid tobacco: It's never too late to stop smoking.


• Keep physically active: Aim for 30 to 60 minutes of physical activity a day.


• Control stress: Control how you react to stressful situations. Stress, over time, increases risk of cardiovascular disease.


• Exercise your brain: Use it to keep it strong. Lifelong learning is key.


• Stay socially connected: Having a dependable group of friends and family is one of the most reliable predictors of longevity.


• Nurture your spirit: No matter what you call your source of inspiration, it's important to nurture spirituality.


• Plan ahead: You don't have to be rich to be happy, but try to look ahead to budget for activities and a lifestyle that you value.

For more information, or to contact Mayo Clinic, see their website at: www.mayoclinic.org