One of the greatest mysteries of life is that no one can predict how long his life on this planet will last; we may know the average life span of a human being but that’s it. Many people think that life expectancy is determined by genetics. However, this is not always right, as environmental factors and lifestyles play a more dominant role. As the science of aging progresses, life spans have drastically increased. From 29, a century ago to more than 80 years in many cases is a huge jump. From lowering infant mortality rates to creating vaccines and reducing deaths related to disease medical science has come a long way. But there is just that much that science can do for you, the rest is up to how you live with and take care of yourself.

The following may help you increase your life span. Do however consult your doctor where required.

1) Eating a healthy diet: What you feed your body plays a vital role in your longevity. In my opinion the Mediterranean diet or similar should be used as a good example to follow. Basically the Mediterranina diet picks up most of its fat from nuts it is low on processed foods and, includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish and less of sugar, red meats. Foods including processed snacks and meats, fried foods and sugar-sweetened beverages pose higher risks of chronic disease and premature death. It is not easy to always have access to healthy food; however, even small positive changes in your diet are enough to live healthier. It is also important to eat just enough and not to overeat. There is this common saying that says’ quarter of what we eat is what we must eat. The balance three quarters keeps our doctors busy!’

2) Exercising regularly: Working out helps with physical as well as mental health. Your cardiovascular fitness, mood and energy all get an uplift after a good exercise. 150 minutes of moderate exercises each week is sufficient to help you increase your life span. Make sure to include weight training, cardio, yoga, swimming or play a sport. If you do not exercise now, it is never late to start. Make sure to set some time aside in your day for a great workout.

3) Drinking alcohol only in moderation: Moderate drinking was touted as harmless for a long time and even considered healthy, however, a cautious approach to alcohol consumption is now recommended. The risks of consuming alcohol are addiction, cancer and traffic accidents. Alcohol also weakens your immune system and can make you more susceptible to disease. Make sure you enjoy a drink once in a while and not regularly.

4) Stress less: Stress eats up the years off your life. High stress levels are very common today and a large amount of the population have stress-related disorders. Stress increases the risk of heart attack and stroke. When under stress the body releases harmful particles called free radicals, which can cause damage to organs, raise blood pressure, and also result in emotional change. Control stress by two great methods passed on to us for generations – meditation and yoga. Both are great ways to combat stress.

5) Get quality sleep: We all lead busy lives and want to make the most of each day, so very often we compromise on our sleep. Remember that our body heals in its sleep. We need to get a minimum of seven to eight hours of sleep each night. Lack of sleep causes all sorts of disorders from obesity and heart disease to depression. Good sleep can help you live longer, so make sure you get the necessary shut-eye every day.

6) Don’t sit all day: Most of us today adopt a very sedentary lifestyle. We are at our workstations for 8-10 hours at a stretch. This lack of movement in the muscles can produce harmful effects such as an increased risk of heart disease, diabetes, and many forms of cancer like breast and colon. Make sure to get up from your chair and walk about for 5 minutes every hour. Set a reminder on your phone if necessary but do it; it is very essential.

7) Keep your brain active: Your brain requires some good exercise, so give it a mental workout to reduce the risk of Dementia and Alzheimer’s. Find ways to keep your brain stimulated. Constantly learning new stuff or expanding your expertise in your profession also helps tremendously. Solve puzzles, play games like chess and scrabble and reading are ways in which you can give your brain some great stimulation.

Longevity may seem beyond your control, but trust me many healthy habits will lead you to a ripe healthy old age. If you can do the above mentioned things, then you are already increasing your life expectancy. Your body is wonderful and will keep going for a long time as long as you take care of it.