9 Ways to Live Longer Naturally
By Debra Rodzinak
Currently in the United States, the average life expectancy is 78.2 years. But, every year, more and more Americans are reaching 100 years old. Last year, more than 70,000 people in the U.S. made the century mark. Is there magic in their longevity or are they all living the same way? National Geographic studied these people and discovered that the answers are rooted in their environment and lifestyle.
Demographics
There seems to be five regions on the planet that have the highest percentage of centenarian per capita.
- Mountains of inner Sardinia in the Barbagia region
- The Aegean island of Ikaria, Greece
- The Nicoya Peninsula of Costa Rica
- Loma Linda, California (the highest concentration of Seventh Day Adventists)
- Okinawa, Japan
Common Denominators
After a team of medical researchers looked at all of the groups, they discovered nine common denominators in all groups. They are:
- Natural Movement – Instead of going to the gym daily or running marathons, these groups live in an environment that leads to natural movement constantly. Many grow gardens, walk everywhere, and don’t rely on mechanical devices for yard or house work.
- Sense of Purpose – Roughly translated to “why I wake up in the morning,” this knowledge of the sense of purpose adds seven years to a person’s life.
- Shed Stress – Stress occurs in all groups on the planet. The difference is that these groups take time daily to nap, pray, remember their ancestors, and even have happy hour.
- The 80 Percent Rule – When eating, these groups don’t stuff themselves, but rather stop when they feel 80 percent full. They also make the last meal of the day their smallest meal and then don’t eat until the next morning.
- Veggie Heavy – Beans and lentils make up the majority of these groups’ diets. Meat, when eaten, is often pork and only eaten once per week with the portion resembling a deck of cards or the palm of the hand -- 3 to 4 ounces.
- Wine – Except for Adventists, all groups drink alcohol daily. One to two glasses every day with or without food is advisable.
- Faith – Over 98 percent of the centenarians interviewed claimed to belong to a faith-based community. All different denominations were represented and weekly attendance added 4 to 14 years of life expectancy.
- Family First – The family that lives together, lives longer together. Those who have grandparents, parents, and children in the home can add three years of life to their count.
- Positive Community – The social circles that support healthy behaviors influence all in the group. Favorable habits lead to healthy behaviors for the social group.
Following these tips won’t guarantee that you will live to 100, but they will definitely lead to a longer life overall. Adopting these healthy habits might add 10 to 12 years to a person’s life.
To learn more about your health and wellness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic.