5 Surprising Ways to Live a Longer and Happier Life

In the US, the average life expectancy for men is just over 84 years, while women can expect to live to around 86. However, last year saw the country’s life expectancy drop for the first time in over a decade, proving the importance of focusing on living a longer, healthier life. Here are five ways you might not have considered to boost your health and add years to your lifespan.

1 – Get nutty

You might have heard that eating nuts is a healthy habit, but did you know they can help lengthen your life? A study monitoring Seventh-Day Adventists, who are renowned for their longevity, found that those who ate nuts for five days a week or more lived an average of 2.9 years longer than those who didn’t. Researchers believe nuts help prevent diseases like cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease because they combat inflammation. Just 20 grams of nuts per day can cut your risk of coronary heart disease by 30%, cancer by 15%, dying from respiratory disease by 50%, dying from diabetes by 40%, and premature death by 22%.

2 – Facebook

Facebook users may be increasing their life expectancy through accepting friend requests. Scientists claim people with strong social media networks and a large number of friend request accepts are less likely to die as accepting friendships means users have high levels of both online and offline social interaction. However, increased life expectancy doesn’t carry over to those who initiate more friend requests. Also, feeling lonely and socially isolated increases your risk of having a stroke and developing coronary artery disease.

3 – Think positive

Yale University found that having a positive outlook on aging extends your life even more than lowering your blood pressure and cholesterol, exercising, and giving up smoking. Indeed, the study revealed that those with a positive outlook lived more than seven years longer than people who had negative views of aging.

4 – Go spicy

People who love spicy food might live longer, with a study at Larner College of Medicine at the University of Vermont finding that those who frequently eat hot red chili peppers reduce their chance of dying by 13%. To enjoy the same benefits without eating the peppers, try a supplement containing capsaicin. Several different spices have been found to promote good health.

5 – Get or stay married

Being married decreases your risk of dying, and never having been married gives one of the highest mortality risks. Studies show married couples generally outlive their counterparts, giving them better chances of, and speed of, recovery should they fall sick. Furthermore, sexual energy does positive things for your lifespan.

Follow these five tips to live a longer, happier, and healthier life, safe in the knowledge that you’ve done everything possible to maximize your time on Earth.