1. You’re the life of the party
A recent study of more than 500 men and women age 78 and older from the Karolinska Institutet in Sweden revealed that people getting older are less likely to develop dementia. Participants also described themselves as not easily stressed.
Researchers assumed that their more resilient brains may be due to lower levels of cortisol — studies show that oversecretion of this “stress hormone” can inhibit brain cells’ communication. Science-backed ways to cut cortisol levels: Meditate, sip black tea, or take a nap.
2. You run for 40 minutes a day
Middle-aged people who ran for 40 minutes a day — for a total of about 5 hours per week — lived longer and functioned better physically and cognitively as they got older as per a research in southern California. The researchers tracked runners and nonrunners for 21 years just get less heart disease. They also developed fewer cases of cancer, neurologic diseases, and infections, according to author Eliza Chakravarty, MD, an assistant professor of medicine at Stanford University School of Medicine. Authorities say that aerobic exercise keeps the immune system young. If you hate running, even 20 minutes a day of any activity that leaves you breathless can boost your health.
3. You like raspberries in your oatmeal
Most Americans eat 14 to 17 grams of fiber per day; add just 10 grams and r your risk of dying from heart disease can be reduced by 17 percent, according to a Netherlands study. Dietary fiber helps reduce total and LDL (bad) cholesterol, as well as improves insulin sensitivity, and boosts weight loss. One easy fix: Top your ½ cup dry oatmeal (4 g fiber) with 1 cup of raspberries (8 g) and your body gets 12 grams of fiber in just one meal.
Other fiber-rich foods are: bran cereal, cooked lentils, black beans, sweet potatoes and pear.
4. You feel 13 years younger than you are
Older people in good health said in a recent survey of more than 500 men and women age 70 and older that they feel very much younger than their real age. A researcher, Jacqui Smith, PhD of the University of Michigan said that feeling youthful is linked to better health and a longer life. Furthermore, he stated that it can improve optimism and motivation to overcome challenges, which helps reduce stress and boost the immune system thus lowering the risk of diseases.
5. You embrace techie trends
A group that sponsors an annual poll of U.S. centenarians whose director is Sherri Snelling, advices the elderly to learn to twitter or Skype to be able to keep their brain cells youg and healthy. Many of the oldest Americans send e-mails, Google lost friends, and even date online. Researchers say using the latest technology helps keep us not only mentally spry but socially engaged.
“Stay connected to friends, family, and current events, and you’ll feel vital and relevant,” says Snelling.
6. You started menopause after age 52
Experiencing menopause later can mean an increased life span. It is said further that women who go through menopause late have a much lower risk of heart disease. These are what Mary Jane Minkin, MD, clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Yale University School of Medicine reported.
With reports from top msnbc.com headlines
Sherwin B Nuland, on his book ‘The Art of Aging’, states: “Aging has the power to concentrate not only our minds but our energies, too, because it tells us that all is no longer possible, and the richness must be more fully extracted from the lessened but nevertheless still-abundant store that remains. From here on, we must play only to our strengths. [...] human aging and its rewards—and also of its discontents [...]” Hence, one must be creative in coping with the changes of aging.
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