By: Julie Garden-Robinson, Ph.D., R.D., L.R.D., North Dakota State University Extension
I was thinking about longevity the other day. Who doesn't want a long, healthy life?
As I sipped my coffee at church, I was thinking about a research project we are launching at North Dakota State University. I have included the online survey link with this column.
My 90-plus-year-old church coffee buddy stopped by and joined us at our table. She usually comments on my column of the week.
She inspires me. She lives on her own, drives herself to church and is always dressed stylishly. She's very witty too.
"How do you come up with new ideas for your column?" she asked.
"I'm always thinking about column ideas," I replied.
I can be inspired anywhere, any time, I thought to myself. I wonder if she saw the light bulb above my head.
"What is your secret to a long, healthy life?" I asked.
"Well, I smoked for 50 years," she replied with a saucy grin.
I was not expecting that answer.
"Everyone smoked back then," she continued. "I stopped smoking about 30 years ago, when my friend had to use an oxygen tank all the time."
"You must have had some healthy lifestyle practices, such as a nutritious diet and exercise," I commented.
"We didn't have cars, so we walked everywhere," she noted.
"How about nutrition?" I asked. "Did you eat a healthful diet?"
"I suppose we ate better back then," she said.
I saw a little gleam in her eye.
"One time I got kicked out of a sad movie for crunching on celery too loudly," she added.
I guess she was a wild woman in her youth, smuggling celery into a movie theater.
"My parents lived into their 90s," she added.
Genetics certainly play a role in longevity but genetics are not necessarily the only key. Some research has shown that genetics account for about one-fourth of the variation in longevity among people. That leaves three-fourths of longevity due to other factors.
Certainly, our lifestyle plays a key role in many aspects of our health. You probably know these concepts: Eat a balanced, varied diet. Avoid smoking. Avoid excessive alcohol consumption. Get regular physical activity. Get six to eight hours of sleep.
However, is something else linked to longevity that is equally or maybe even more important than some of these lifestyle factors?
Numerous studies have shown that high-quality social relationships with family and friends is important for a long, happy life. Married people have a lower risk of dying from any cause when compared to single people, according a recent study.
If you are single, join communities of people, whether those are faith communities or special interest groups. Being part of groups plays a role in our physical, mental and social wellbeing.
On the other hand, being socially isolated has negative effects on health.
Stay connected with people. Join a fitness group, a music group, a book club or a cooking class so you benefit from the brain-stimulating topics and social interaction. Have coffee with your buddies.
If you are 50 or older, I invite you to take our survey at https://bit.ly/surveydaily50 because it will help us develop better programs and materials for adults. It will take about 15 minutes and will provide us with background to create the best materials we can. We have prize drawings.
Categories: North Dakota, Rural Lifestyle