​First of all, Quit Smoking if you haven't done so already! Obviously I can't stress this one enough. Studies have shown that if you quit by the age of 30 you can increase your lifespan by a decade or more. And even when you quit later in life it can add years to your lifespan.

Take A Nap

Believe it or not, a nap may help you reduce stress hormones and therefore be good for your heart as well as have many other benefits. Napping regularly may even help you live longer.

Get Those Extra Pounds Off

Shedding those extra pounds can help you in many ways including protection against heart disease and diabetes. Get rid of that spare tire because belly fat is especially bad for you.

Move More

There is clear evidence that people who exercise live longer than people who don't. Regular physical activity lowers your risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, depression and even some forms of cancer. Even 10 minute walks are better than nothing, do them a couple times a day to start out.

Have a Purpose

Activities and/or hobbies that spark your interest and activate your brain can help lengthen your life. Studies have found that a strong sense of purpose helps make you less likely to die from heart disease or stroke and lowers your chances of getting Alzheimer's.

Protect your DNA

Your telomeres become shorter with age. The telomeres are the ends of your chromosomes, think of a shoe lace. Changes in your lifestyle, diet and exercise can help to protect these telomeres as you age at the cellular level.

Learn About the Okinawan Diet

Okinawa, Japan's people used to live longer than any other group on Earth. Their low calorie diet which contained lots of yellow and green vegetables can take credit. Also, they had the tradition to never eat everything on their plate.

Get Married

Studies have shown that married people do outlive their single peers. Even people who are divorced or widowed have lower death rates than those who have always been single.

If you Drink….drink a little

Obviously, too much alcohol is not good for you as it boosts blood pressure and can cause lots of other health problems. But, it has been shown that drinking in moderation can be heathy. Moderation meaning one drink per day for women and two for men. But don't start if you don't drink now.

Go to Church or Get Spiritual

Studies show that people who attend some sort of religious or spiritual gathering once a week have higher levels of key immune system proteins than their peers who do not. Strong social networking contributes to overall health.

Forgiveness

When you are always angry it has been shown to be linked to heart disease, stroke, breathing problems and much more. Let go of the stress and anger. Forgiving can reduce blood pressure, help you breathe better and reduce your anxiety.

Prioritize your Sleep

Good quality sleep can help you in so many ways including lowering your risk of obesity, diabetes, heart disease and even mood disorders. It also helps your body heal. Staying up all night is bad for you and studies have shown that if you sleep less than 5 hours a night you increase your risk of dying early.

Stress, stress, stress

And, last but not least, manage your stress. You have to find ways to let go of the stress. Stress is the number one contributor to chronic disease in our society today. There are many methods to learn to de-stress…walking, exercise, meditation, yoga, outdoor activities…and of course, many more. That's a whole other article…But do find a way to de-stress or it will literally kill you.

Mary Crawford, HealthCare Employment Network