To welcome the year right, I’m happy to announce that according to CDC or Centers for Disease Control and Prevention we are now experiencing an all time high in life expectancy! CDC’s press release was made last August 19, 2009. Indeed, it came as great news for seniors since it was reported that age-related deaths have now gone down. The press release also contains interesting facts about death and mortality rates as well as life expectancy and survival rate. You can view the press release here.

As usual, the two leading causes of death are cancer and heart disease. Simple explanation has it that the latter is somewhat controllable but can attack anytime without any warning while the former still has no known cause, as well as cure. Running fourth with a very large percentage difference from the two is respiratory disease and somewhere further down are Parkinson’s, liver and Alzheimer’s diseases.

So what are your chances of having a long and happy life? High of course!—especially if you make it happen. By taking the extra effort in making sure you are living a healthy lifestyle and avoiding the things that may harm you, longer lives are sure to be within reach. Of course, longevity should come with quality of life. Basic rules still apply:

·    Exercise. I’ve noticed that seniors are now getting into sports and just being active, enjoying what life brings. With the advent of technology, we’re able to free ourselves from the bond that ties us in close, office spaces and out to the world! Work-at-home jobs enabled us to have the flexibility to participate in other activities we truly enjoy doing.
·    Personal health maintenance. This includes taking preventive measures to ensure you are adequately covered. The government is now active in making it easier for us to take care of ourselves. It seems that the government’s health campaign, Healthy People 2010, is indeed a success! Regular checkups are still the best, no matter how much you dread it!
·    Healthy diet. Diet is not all about losing weight. You should only lose weight if you have excess pounds that are threatening to kill you. A healthy diet should mean a diet that is good for your body. Seniors should never eat in excess nor deprive the body of the nutrients it needs, only in healthy portions recommended by your doctor. Also, it’s best if you stay away from the nasties such as fatty and sugary foods.
·    Socialize. According to a study made in Australia, it was found out that friends are very important in a senior’s life. The study concluded that seniors with a large network of friends fared better than those who keep only a few.
·    Broaden your horizons. Travel a lot. If with budget constraints, then explore your city or its neighboring towns. Learn new things and share your life with others. The idea behind it is to bring back your zest for life.