How to live longer by more than 20 years: 8 expert tips for men and women to adopt before the age of 40

A recent study found that adopting eight healthy lifestyle habits by age 40 could add an average of 24 years to a man’s life, and 21 years to a woman’s

Advice includes doing 150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous exercise each week, eating healthily, not binge drinking and maintaining positive social relationships

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Doing at least 150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous exercise each week, including strength training on at least two or three days, is one of the habits a new study on how to live longer recommends. Photo: Shutterstock

John Mac Ghlionn

Published: 7:15pm, 17 Oct 2023

A goal shared by most sentient beings is to live a long – and healthy – life.

But there is no silver bullet for good health. It requires consistency, discipline and good habits.

A recent study identified eight such habits that can help delay or prevent the onset of chronic illnesses such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease, and extend a person’s lifespan by decades.

The study by health science specialists at the US Department of Veterans Affairs involved more than 700,000 veterans.

Eating a healthy diet with more plant foods instead of processed foods lowers your risk of developing serious illness, the study found. Photo: Shutterstock

It found that adopting all eight healthy lifestyle habits by middle age, deemed to be age 40, could add an average of 24 years to a man’s life, and 21 years to a woman’s.

The authors suggest that by focusing on lifestyle medicine, a young branch of medicine that seeks “to maintain optimal health and to prevent, treat and reverse chronic illness across all life stages”, we can all live longer, healthier lives.