Some people live longer than others. Experts have long debated the key factors that play a role in extended longevity, but four main things appear over and over in studies, surveys and research projects. Living a healthy lifestyle, having a close companion, working at a job you enjoy and having the right kinds of insurance seem to be keys to a longer, happier life for most people. But as is the case with so many other scientific findings, there are caveats for each one of the factors. Here are some details that can help you dig into the four factors:
Insurance
At first glance, insurance doesn’t seem like an obvious life-extender. But adults who have comprehensive health insurance, for example, tend to live longer than those who have no, or very spotty, health coverage. The same applies to other types of insurance. Longevity is closely associated with having a complete spectrum of insurance policies, like homeowners, auto, health, and life. There seems to be something about people who plan ahead and provide for the unexpected, which includes all those who buy various kinds of insurance.
Is it possible to have too much insurance? Usually not, according to experts. Even in cases where people over-buy life coverage, they can always cancel it or cash it in later on. For example, a life settlements company can help people get cash in exchange for their insurance policies. Many seniors use this strategy to obtain needed funding for a major trip, to pay off their house or to cover unexpected medical bills. So, at least in the case of life insurance, it’s not really possible to buy too much.
Companionship
Study after study, most of which were done by life insurance companies, has confirmed that adults who live with another adult live between 5 and 10 years longer than those who live alone. It doesn’t matter whether the other adult is a spouse, friend, brother, sister or just a house-mate who shares expenses, human beings seem to “last longer” when they spend regular time in the company of others.
A Rewarding Job
Having a rewarding job goes a long way toward personal happiness. This doesn’t mean that you need to have an “easy” or even a pleasant job, but one that pays you a fair wage for a type of work that suits you. Whether you spend 40 hours a week in a bank, restaurant, office, medical office or any other typical job location, you’re contributing to your longevity if the work you do is something you freely chose out of hundreds of possible professions.
A Healthy Lifestyle
A healthy lifestyle is perhaps the most obvious factor on the list. It includes things like eating and exercising in moderation, not consuming tobacco products, drinking alcohol in moderation, if at all, and getting enough sleep every night. There is a strong relationship between longevity and blood pressure. Hypertension is what medical experts call “the silent killer” because it has no obvious symptoms and can sneak up on adults as they grow older.