19. Exercise your brain more through storytelling in your conversations. 

Another way to keep your brain function in tip-top shape throughout your life is through storytelling! Did you know that we create stories to process the world around us? When we take the time out of our day to tell a story to someone, this is an incredible workout for your brain as it uses creativity and memory to retell something that has happened. That also ties into our previous point about taking time to connect with loved ones – connection with people is huge when it comes to our health as we get older and older each year. 

Next time you’re on the phone with someone or when you see them in person, try out this exercise. Instead of just taking the “straight” path when it comes to relaying a story, just giving the facts and nothing more, find a way to develop the story through your use of language and even storytelling techniques such as dramatic pauses! It will be so much more enjoyable for both parties, and you’ll have given them an interesting story to pass onto someone in their life! That is such a great way to keep that brain sharp and enrich your relationships with people.

18. Don’t let your brain and body fall into a routine; wake it up with some curiosity as you age!

Just when you thought your brain had done enough work, we’re here to tell you that there is more work to be done! You must try your best not to let your brain get bored, which is exceptionally hard since one way to do this is not to let your days become too predictable. Most of us have fallen into a standard routine that consumes us every day of our lives. That is especially true because of the pandemic and the restrictions around it. When we are too set in our ways, our brain starts to tune out and become an autopilot. 

We need to allow curiosity to find a space in our lives! That is such a fantastic way to keep our minds from getting bored. Make sure that you are trying your best to be still engaged in the world around you, and you can also make a few changes to your routine. There might not be a lot that you can do now, but there’s always something like a new hobby to try out! There is always something new for us to learn, which helps our brains age well with us. There’s no point in having a healthy body as we age and not having the brain go with this. 

17. Just like leg day, you should have days where you work on your memory, especially as you grow older. 

While working on your brain, you also need to focus on specific aspects of your brain. Like you have “leg day,” you also need to have “memory day.” Memory starts to go as we age, and sometimes this can be pretty serious. You can do memory exercises to help keep it as fit as possible, and you should make this memory workout part of your everyday routine. What can you do? Give yourself the challenge of not making your grocery list and storing this in your brain when you do your next run to the store.  

When you get home, take a look at the list you made before you left and see how many of the items you remembered. That is an easy way to test your memory and give it a bit of a workout. What else can you do to give your memory a workout? Try opening the door with your opposite hand to what you usually would. You can also try out new routes on the road to places that you frequent often. By doing this, you’ll be working your brain and learning new things while improving your memory. 

16. Are you getting enough sleep each night for your age to keep your brain functioning well? 

Sleep is another thing that has a significant impact on how effectively our minds function! You still need to be 8 hours of rest as you age; please don’t believe the myth that older people need less sleep than younger people. Did you know that all adults require between 7 to 9 hours of sleep every night? You might notice that you seem to need less sleep than this, but it’s not due to anything different in your sleep needs; it’s related to the challenges you may encounter while trying to get your 8 hours of sleep each night. 

There are lots of things that could prevent you from getting the sleep you need, which includes the medication you may be taking for other conditions! It seems like a catch 22 sometimes; you take the medicine and lose out on sleep, don’t take the pill, feel ill, and get good sleep! You should speak to your doctor if this is the case to find some alternatives for your prescription. You may also be in a bad habit of taking naps during the day, which means your body is out of sync when it’s time to sleep at night. 

15. Asking people to help us can be challenging, but it’s something we need to learn. 

Are you struggling with anything in your life as you age? It would help if you learned to ask for help. As we age, we may feel the need to ask for less help because this sometimes signifies a reduction in our independence levels. That needs to stop because it does us no good – people want to help, and we should let them. If you aren’t feeling well and someone offers to help out with errands or anything you need, take them up on the offer. It will make you both feel outstanding!

It’s easy to feel like we may annoy people if we ask them for help, but we won’t get the help we need if we don’t start asking for it. You don’t have to ask for everything, but a few requests will be things that people will happily help out with. Don’t let issues build up, and let the stress and strain of these take their toll on you. Let people support you when you need it. Why? Because it helps with relationships, which will allow you to live a longer and better life. It goes hand in hand with staying connected with people, which is one way to do that.

14. Make sure you are adhering to what the doctors say to keep your health in check at this age. 

Earlier, we shared the tip of making sure you go for regular check-ups – now, you also need to make sure that you are adhering to what the doctor said and following their orders! It’s one thing to go to the doctor for the check-ups, but then to not implement anything they say won’t do you any good, and you may as well not have gone for the appointment in the first place. Many people don’t adhere to what the doctor tells them to do, and many people stop taking the medication without consulting their medical practitioner. That is something you mustn’t do!

Adhering to your doctor’s orders is as important as going for the check-up in the first place. If you don’t like the medication, or don’t think it’s working as it should, then consult your doctor before stopping. It can be very dangerous for you and your health if you choose to stop taking it without any professional advice. If you are battling with medications, keep track of symptoms you are experiencing and then have a conversation with your doctor about what can be done to solve this. They are the ones who know what is best for your health. 

13. Moving your body is good for your overall health. Get up and get going, especially at this age!

Now that we’ve ticked off a few tips and tricks that have to do with the doctor and their orders, you also need to start moving your body! It’s never too late to start. You might think you’re too old to get active, but that’s not the case. Moving your body each day is essential. It helps keep us strong, fit, and healthy. You need that as you age more than you did when you were young and naturally energetic. Did you know that your body is built to move? It keeps all parts of your body functioning well – including your heart, bones, and muscles!

The more you move, the more fit and healthy you’ll become! Make sure that you are integrating movement into your daily schedule. That is also a great way to change your routine if you didn’t have exercise before. If you did, you could also switch up the type of activity you are doing each day. You won’t feel like doing an intense cardio workout each day, but maybe a walk or a hike would be just what your body needs. You might also consider signing up for an exercise class where you can exercise and meet new friends!

12. Happiness and positivity have a direct correlation with living a longer life! 

Did you know that leading a happy life could also help you to live a much longer life? Experts completed studies on this, so it’s not just the cheerful and optimistic people tooting their own horns. There is a proven correlation between optimism and living longer! It’s time to get that attitude of yours in check and change it from the glass half empty to the glass half full. If you want to live a long life, you’re going to want to start being more positive in your mind and your actions. 

Positivity affects all aspects of our lives, and as we age, it can be harder to be optimistic. We start to see things as they are, we get grumpier, and we get tired. However, it’s time to look on the bright side – and that bright side would be a longer life with the people you love the most. How can you lead a more positive life? Take the time out of your day to do things you enjoy and not just something you have to get done. This “me time” is essential and will put a smile on your face while you’re doing it. 

11. Yoga could be the secret to living the long and healthy life you’ve dreamed about. 

Just like we said, you should get your body moving. Certain forms of exercise are better for you than others. We know that yoga is an extremely relaxing form of exercise, but this is great for your health as you age! Relaxation is crucial for you to live a healthy life. When you get into the practice of yoga, you really can improve the overall quality of your life in more ways than one. What are these? It’s suitable for diabetes patients and those with cardiovascular issues. 

It also can help reduce and manage your high blood pressure problems. How great is that? You can take care of multiple health concerns with just one form of exercise. Talk about killing two birds with one stone. There are lots of yoga classes that you can join to start seeing these changes in your life, and there are also a lot of great free yoga classes that you can follow on YouTube in the comfort of your home. Either way, you can’t go wrong with bringing yoga into your life. There are also lots of types so you can find one that you enjoy. 

10. You may not have thought about the amount of meat you eat, but you should now at your age. 

How much red meat do you have in your diet? That is something you should consider when it comes to your health. As we’ve discussed, diet is essential to living a longer life, and meat could be hindering that from happening. A study was done with more than 70,000 people and found that the group’s vegetarians were at a 12% lower risk of dying earlier than those who ate meat. Many factors go into this, but it’s worth thinking about as you get older. Plant-based diets are great for you. 

They also found that many of the people who were vegetarian that lived a better lifestyle overall. It meant that they drank less alcohol and didn’t smoke. They also led generally more active lifestyles than the non-vegetarians. You don’t have to go completely cold turkey but consider incorporating more vegetarian meal options into your weekly meal plan. They can be delicious and even more nutritious than meals with meat in them. Google is your best bet when it comes to recipes, and who knows, you might altogether ditch the red meat soon after that!

9. Is laughter the best medicine? According to a study, it really could be, especially as you age!

We’ve said that being more positive could have a significant effect on your life expectancy, and what goes hand in hand with feeling happier? Laughter, of course! Laughter is good for you. Visit the comedy club, listen to a funny skit on social media. It’s all medicine for your soul and your mind. When you laugh more, you’ll be more positive too, so that is an excellent thing for your overall health. Laughter is the best medicine, as they always say! Is there any science to back this up? 

A study was conducted back in 2016, and it discovered that women who have a strong sense of humor had a 73% lower risk of death from heart disease – how incredible is that? They also found these women from the study had an 81% lower risk of death from infection. Maybe whoever said that laughter is the best medicine knew something that we don’t. Finally, these women had a 48% lower risk of death from all causes. It’s time we all start laughing more and lightening up a bit – life is short, and we should enjoy every moment. 

8. You’re going to go nuts for this next tip on how to live your best life with your diet!

This next tip to living past 80 has to do with your diet again – and this time, it’s about something we love to snack on. It’s nuts! Can you believe that something as small as nuts could have such a big impact on your lifespan? Well, it does, so listen up! Experts completed a study on walnuts. They discovered that people who eat nuts regularly have a 39% lower risk of early death than people who don’t eat nuts. That’s absolutely nuts! You might be wondering if you need to eat a particular type of nuts to see this type of effect. 

Walnuts are the best ones for you as these left you with a 45% lower risk of dying early! If you aren’t allergic to nuts, this is an easy thing to start including more in your diet. Nuts go with pretty much anything! What about having a bowl of yogurt with some almonds or cashews in it? You could also have a mixed bag of nuts that you can enjoy throughout the day. You can even add walnuts to your salad! Furthermore, as a treat, there’s nothing quite as delicious as chocolate-covered nuts – especially peanuts! Healthy eating isn’t that hard!

7. It’s time to get on the trend and invest in a standing desk to add years to your life!

If you’re someone who works a desk job, you’ll find yourself sitting down pretty much the whole day. Moreover, as we now know, movement is so crucial for you and your health. How can you solve this? Well, it’s time to join the standing-desk trend! That could end up adding a few years to your life, and that’s awesome to know! Sitting for less than three hours a day could add up to two years to your life. Anything is worth a shot when it comes to aging well and living our best lives as long as we possibly can. 

If you can’t get your hands on a standing desk, make sure you are doing more than just sitting. Take regular walks around either your office, home or garden and this will do not only your physical health some good but also refresh your mind. When we move our bodies, the oxygen starts to flow better, which is fantastic for us. If you get super consumed by work, set a reminder on your phone for every hour, or get yourself a smartwatch that will remind you to stand and incentivize you to reach that stand goal for the day. 

6. How much TV do you watch each day? That could take years off your life! 

We’ve all been watching way too much TV lately; most of us have probably made our way through Netflix twice over at this stage! There’s nothing wrong with a little bit of TV, but we should be consuming much less than we are if we want to live a long life. Did you know that every hour of TV you watch after 25 cuts your lifespan by an estimated 22 minutes? These are actual statistics, and we definitely should pay more attention to them than our binge show that we watch every time we get the chance to. 

People who spent an average of six hours watching TV each day died about five years before those that didn’t watch any TV at all. That can be a hard habit to kick. We find the TV is our go-to when boredom strikes. Instead, we need to do something like reading a book, working on a puzzle, going outside for some exercise. Start to adjust your TV watching habits, and slowly but surely, you’ll start to form healthier habits that aren’t centered around your television screen for six hours of the day. Those five years could make a difference in your life! 

5. Walking is an incredible form of exercise, but it’s all about the faster pace to keep you healthy as you age. 

So, you may love going for walks, but it’s all about the pace! You’re going to need to increase that speed to increase your expected lifespan! In this case, it is the hare that wins the race of life instead of the tortoise. A 2019 study discovered those who walked at a brisker pace (around 100 steps per minute) lived longer than those who walked more slowly. That also presented itself across all weight categories, which made the study very interesting. Picking up the pace might be what you need to start doing!

Something that is a great incentive to walk faster and to walk more is a smartwatch that tracks your movement throughout the day. By setting your goals, you’ll know what you’re aiming for and when you are achieving these goals. That is a great method to help you get into healthier walking and standing habits too. If you have a smartphone, you are also able to track your steps using this device. Walking is a fantastic form of exercise as it is, and by picking up the pace just a little bit, you could be ringing in that 90th birthday in tip-top shape. 

4. There’s one way to age well, and that’s to marry someone younger than you! 

There’s always the joke about when people get into a relationship with someone younger than them, but this could be what you need to live a longer life. And, this is a fact, according to a 100-year-old woman. The lady claims she has lived to this age due to having a younger husband! She thinks she would be dead if it weren’t for him. She has some interesting and valid reasoning behind this, and it again relates to making sure you stay social as you get older and surround yourself with good people. 

Daisy says that when you are elderly and on your own, it’s easy to give up on yourself and not take care of your needs properly. When you have a younger spouse, you’re more likely to try to keep up with them and take better care of yourself as a whole. It’s also great to have some younger energy around – so there may be some method to this madness. People usually think age matters, and maybe it does, but just in a different way than we had initially thought. So, stop judging people who marry younger – it’s keeping them going!

3. You increase your chances of heart disease, strokes, and dementia as you age, especially if you don’t take proper care of your teeth. 

How seriously do you take your oral hygiene? If we told you it could extend your life expectancy, would you start to pay more attention to your teeth cleaning routine? According to dentists, there is a lot more to worry about than the odd cavity if you aren’t brushing and flossing as regularly as your dentist recommends. Did you know that poor oral hygiene is associated with a shortened life? A healthy mouth could be the ultimate secret to living a long life and one without a jar of fake teeth next to your bed as a form of company!

Start paying more attention to your teeth cleaning routine, and you could live a much longer life without the pain of having to go to the dentist for regular fillings. When you have a healthy mouth, you have a lower risk of heart disease, strokes, and dementia! We bet you didn’t know that when you skipped flossing your teeth this morning! It would be best to consider investing in a really good electric toothbrush that will do the job correctly. Another popular teeth cleaning tool is the water flosser which is fantastic and easy to use. Your dentist will be impressed the next time you go across for a check-up. 

2. Pets are known to extend people’s lifespans, so it could be time to get the dog finally!

Bringing a pet into your life could be the best choice you ever make – and this extends to how long you are going to live. Did you know that people who own cats or dogs tend to live longer than people who don’t own a pet? Pets are incredible to be around. They make us relax and bring us happiness, which we have learned are key components of living that long life we all want! If you own a cat, your risk of a heart attack is cut down by nearly one-third – how incredible is that? 

People who own dogs have a reduced rate of death by 11 percent! Pets, like dogs, can also help us lead healthier lifestyles as you have to take them for walks and play with them. A pet could be the perfect companion who will love you unconditionally for older adults who might be lonely! It also gives us something to live for, and it helps create a good routine but one that has room for fun and playtime. If you’re interested in getting a pet, consider adopting one from a shelter – both your lives will be much longer because of this decision! Read more about how owning a dog can help you live longer.

1. It’s time to get back on that bicycle and start cycling your way to a longer life! 

Just as walking is excellent for your overall health, so is cycling! Cycling is becoming more and more popular as a means of transportation. All around the world, they are introducing easy-to rent bike stations so you can bike and go! That is fantastic as it gets people moving more than they would if they were just driving around, and it’s way better for the environment too. Not only will you have a better environment around you by cycling, but it has significant impacts on your health also. Experts completed a study on French cyclists in the Tour de France, which revealed just that. 

They have been shown to live longer than their peers who do not cycle. The study took data from 786 French cyclists who had participated in the race at least once. It’s time to get that helmet and go out for a cycle. Don’t let your bicycle just collect dust. Put it to good use. Cycling can be a competitive sport, but it can also be an enjoyable way to get around. If you make exercise enjoyable, you’ll be more likely to do it frequently. Give it a try and see what it’s like. You could even invite friends to go on a cycling outing and make a day out of it. 

More Sources: 

https://www.verywellhealth.com/how-to-live-to-90-or-even-longer-2224326

https://www.verywellhealth.com/longevity-to-dos-for-your-80s-2223718