Your Own Fountain of Youth

In 1513 the Spanish explorer Ponce de Leon went in search of a mythical fountain that could restore youth. He never found this prize, but there's good news about longevity nowadays. Experts have discovered a number of factors that can affect health and longevity. After all, whether you're 20 or nearing retirement age, you may not be as healthy as you could be for your age.

Most of us can name some tangible steps that would help us to live longer such as eating less fat and always buckling our seat belts. But intangible factors -- ones that aren't as concrete -- influence our health and longevity, too. For example, researchers have long shown a connection between undue stress and an increased risk for premature death, cardiovascular disease and other health problems.

We all experience pretty much the same stressful situations: parenthood, financial responsibilities, time-consuming obligations, taking care of aged parents, illness, deaths and other losses to name a few. So it's not whether you have stress or not, it's how you handle it that can either take years off your life or put you at higher risk for disease and impair your immune system.

Obviously, you can't always control the amount of stress in your life. But you can learn coping skills to help prevent the negative affects of stress. Schedule plenty of "down" time for rest and relaxation, for example. Practice time management to avoid pressured deadlines. And get some help with anger management if you sometimes lose control of your temper when you shouldn't.

Pay attention to the following suggestions, and you may be able to find what Ponce de Leon couldn't.

Build a strong social network. Having someone to talk to and support you makes stress less likely to affect you negatively. Also, having other people to care about and support helps you know how much you're needed. Knowing you're needed gives you extra incentive to take good care of yourself. You'll be more likely to live longer and less likely to develop disease.

Make your marriage a priority and work to keep happiness in it. People who are happily married tend to be mentally and physically healthier than those who are single.

Participate in your faith. Attending church or being involved with a religious group can help you live longer and stay healthier.

Get a pet and develop an active and loving relationship with it. The psychological and physical health gains can add years to your life as well as to its quality.

© Your HealthStyle, 2001.