The Secret To Longevity… In Seven Very Unexpected Things

We all want to add years to our lifespan and squeeze more into our life but we figured out years ago that Never Never Land wasn’t actually a place we could get to easily...

Researchers are constantly on the hunt for the magic pill which guarantees longevity. They haven’t found the pill just yet, but they have come across some pretty surprising findings.

To guarantee yourself more years, check out these seven unexpected things that can help you pave the way for a longer life.

Smile!

A study by researchers at Wayne State University studied photos of former professional baseball players and found that the bigger their smile, the longer they lived. In fact, those players with the biggest smiles amassed an average of seven more years than those with none. It is believed that this is because big smiles in photographs reflect true happiness, which is beneficial for both your physical and mental wellbeing. Cheeeese!

Having ‘Positive’ Initials

While you may not give much thought to your initials, maybe you should keep the magic letters in mind when you’re producing your own offspring. A surprising study by researchers at the University of California has revealed that having initials that spell out positive words (like ACE, WOW or VIP) could add years on to your life. The study found that men with positive initials lived 4.48 years longer while men with initials that spelled out negative words died 2.8 years younger.

Tying The Knot

If you’re lucky enough to have found the guy or girl of your dreams, research suggests that taking the next step and getting down on one knee, or saying ‘yes’ in return could add years on to your lifespan. Being in love has many reported health benefits. In fact, researchers at the University of Rochester reported that a good marriage can be as beneficial for your heart as quitting smoking, maintaining a healthy weight and reducing high blood pressure.

Being Slightly Overweight

While poor diets and obesity are bad news for your health, research has suggested that slightly overweight people actually live longer than those of normal weight, and significantly longer than those who are obese or excessively thin. Experts warn that although being bigger may add a few years on to your lifespan, perhaps due to it helping to safeguard against the weight loss and frailty that often incurs in old age, that does not mean that it will increase your quality of life.

Having A God

Multiple research studies have shown that believing in a God could help to boost your health and increase your lifespan. A study involving liver transplant patients showed that those who had “strong religious connections” were up to three times more likely to survive, even if they did not attend church.

Being A Social Butterfly

We love this one. Research suggests that making regular plans with your friends can help you to live longer by reducing feelings of depression, stress and risky behaviour, and encouraging you to look after your health. In fact, a study by Brigham Young University found that having a good social network boosts your survival chances by 50 per cent. Wahoo!

Laugh A Lot

Whether you’re having a giggle with friends or watching a funny movie, laughter is guaranteed to boost your mood and leave you feeling great. However, the benefits of laughter go way beyond that. Studies have found a multitude of ways in which laughter boosts your health, including lowering blood pressure levels, reducing bad cholesterol, enhancing the immune system and helping blood vessels to function better.