Personal Choice
Many seniors may believe their longevity is a matter of genetics or simple luck. The fact is, a study published by the American Journal of Psychiatry indicates the determining factor in one’s longevity is a person’s personal choice.
The study, which tracked mental and physical health, was conducted over a period of sixty years with nearly 1,000 subjects from various socio-economic backgrounds. Only the factor of clinical depression was deemed to be outside the control of subjects in regard to their longevity.
The study identified the following factors, all of which were considered to be personal choices, as being the most important in determining an individual’s longevity. They were:
Exercise – Experts recommend 30 minutes of regular exercise.
No Smoking – The list of smoking-related health problems is too long to list. If you smoke, quit.
Appropriate Weight – Obesity can contribute to heart disease, diabetes, and joint problems.
Positive Coping Mechanisms – Learning how to deal with stress and control anger is essential.
Stable Marriage – Research shows happily married people have less illness and longer lives.
Moderate Alcohol Intake – The key term is moderate. Excessive alcohol intake can cause liver problems and possible harmful drug interactions.
Depressive Illness – While this is the one factor found to be outside an individual’s ability to make a choice, it is strongly recommended a person seek treatment when feeling depressed.
So, there you have it. It’s the personal choices we make with regard to these factors that are the most important in our longevity. Of course, there are many other factors such as acquired disease and accidents that can play a role. But, for the majority of individuals, it is the choices we make.
Happy Thanksgiving
Sometimes things just work out for the best. Having just returned from some travels recently, my wife and I had not made plans for Thanksgiving. Last week the phone started ringing and we now have at least a dozen or so family members spending much of the Thanksgiving holiday with us. We are very blessed. I wish all of you who read this blog a very happy holiday.
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