13 (hopefully lucky) tips for living a longer and healthier life

WE’VE been told that the only sure things in life are death and taxes. But just as creative accountants have helped many to reduce their payments to the Revenue, you can take some strategic steps to help you outrun the grim reaper.

Obviously, it’s a game that you can’t ultimately win but by following some of our suggested tips — which range from the simple to the ambitious — you can certainly send it into extra time. Game on.

BEST DRESSED

Douse your salad with oil and vinegar. European scientists have found that unheated olive oil reduces cancer risk while vinegar, when eaten before a high-carbohydrate meal, slows the absorption of carbs into your bloodstream and prevents the spikes in blood sugar and insulin that signal your body to store fat.

TAKE HEART

According to a study in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, consuming three or more servings of dairy per day can slash your risk of heart disease by a whopping 31%. And, no, a chocolate milkshake and cheeseburger are not ideal sources of dairy.

QUALITY FIRST

When it comes to sleep, less can actually be more. A study in the Archives of General Psychiatry, US, found that people who grab between six and seven hours’ shut-eye a night live longer.

Those who sleep less than four hours a night, or more than eight, were shown to have a significantly higher rate of dying younger.

JOB’S WORTH

You might think that a stress-free job would be less harmful, but the Longevity Project, a study of the lives of 1,500 people over 80 years, found that hard work and accomplishment is a strong predictor of long life — and those with the most career success were the least likely to die young.

SOUL MATES

Being happily married for a long time leads to greater life expectancy for men and women, according to a study in Health Psychology Journal. However, divorcing then remarrying actually increases the risk of dying prematurely. So make sure you choose well before you make like Beyoncé and put a ring on it.

DON’T WORRY

Scientists at Indiana University have discovered that constant worrying shortens your life span by 16 years. So, relax — it might never happen.

WATER WORKS

Scientists at Loma Linda University in California found that men who drank five 8fl oz glasses of water a day were 54% less likely to suffer a fatal heart attack than those who drank two glasses or less every day.

SWEET TREAT

Research from the Harvard School of Public Health found that people who eat a moderate amount of chocolate live longer than those who eat sweets three or more times a week, and those who never touch sweets. The reason? Chocolate contains chemicals called phenols, which are thought to protect against heart disease and cancer.

SWING INTO ACTION

A study of 600,000 Swedish people suggested playing golf could boost an individual’s life span by an average of five years.

“A round of golf means being outside for four or five hours, walking at a fast pace for six to seven kilometres, something which is known to be good for the health,” says Professor Anders Ahlbom, of the Karolinska Institute. “There are also positive social and psychological aspects to the game.”

CHILD’S PLAY

A study in Psychology of Ageing found that the more children women have, the greater their life expectancy. Experts suggest this could be due to the increased contact with and support from their children and grandchildren as they get older.

BRIGHT SIDE

Researchers at the Mayo Clinic in the US found that optimistic people live about 12 years longer than pessimistic ones. Those with a negative outlook were found to be more prone to viral illnesses, such as colds and flu, and less likely to carry out the essential self-examinations that detect breast or skin cancer. Positive thinkers, meanwhile, are more likely to take health advice, according to the researchers.

PLAY YOUR CARDS RIGHT

Could playing bridge prolong your life? It seems so. As you get older, playing games or going shopping could be just as good for your health as physical exercise, according to a Harvard University study. The key to good health, conclude the researchers, is doing what you enjoy and feeling good about yourself.

QUALIFIED SUCCESS

The more qualifications you have, the higher your life expectancy, according to research at the University of Arkansas. The less well-educated are more likely to smoke, which increases the risk of heart disease and cancer, and they are more likely to work in jobs with a high risk of injury, say the researchers.